The Feast of All Saints [Anglais] [Broché]

Before I mention all that this fine novel is, let me state precisely what it is not: It's not a book to be read quickly - for if you are used to reading through things briskly, with the urgent anticipation of the next read always at hand - then this one is sure to frustrate you; It's not an eventful or an adventurous storyline - though A.R. has written quite a few fast-moving tales, this one is slow and meticulous in both movement and detail; There is no absolute line drawn between the hero and adversary in this plot - every character is given a point of view in order to be understood, and elaborated upon until for certain it is understood.

This is a novel unlike most novels. Set in New Orleans before the Civil War, FEAST OF ALL SAINTS is the story of a distinct yet veritably unknown society of people - numbering approximately 18,000 at that time - they were the free people of color. Free people of color were individuals of white and black mixed blood. They were a fragile society made up of those hovering between the established white population and the slaves. The unique and complex city of New Orleans gave this well-educated and interesting group of people a place in which to flourish. In fact, Voodoo queen Marie Laveau was a free person of color. Inarguably, her life has already been explored in works of both fact and fiction. Yet in this well-researched novel, Anne Rice brings to life fictional characters and gives such insight into the lives of these fascinating people as has likely never been seen.

The protagonist, Marcel, is an adolescent whose parents are Phillipe, a wealthy & prominent plantation owner with a family outside New Orleans, and Cecil, his mistress, a free person of color. He is blond and blue-eyed, but with distinct African features - "combined in an unusual way that was extremely handsome and clearly undesirable." Marcel's younger sister Marie, however is dark-haired, beautiful, and could pass for a white person.

Marcel is growing up assured of the knowledge that his father will send him to Paris to be educated as soon he is of age. Christophe, an author and free person of color who has been educated in France, becomes his mentor when he returns to New Orleans to open up a school. He also has two close friends - Richard, son of a wealthy undertaker, and Anna Bella. With every person in his life, there is a uniquely complex relationship.

This, I must say, is very much a coming-of-age story. Yet - it rises above even that as it intertwines like a patient kind of poetry the feelings of isolation wrought from being misunderstood. It gives credence to the certainty that there can actually be drawn from within the soul of a person (and that all people possess certain qualities of the Saints) that which can overcome even the most intense adversity.

This was only her second novel - after INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. As in her first book, her characters are insatiable in their quest for meaning to their existence, yet are isolated from society. This novel differs in that Marcel is not left with feelings of desolation as was Louis. Marcel seems in all respects to be much more further evolved - which in so many ways reflects the spirit of this fine author - for this protagonist grows to be able to envision the many possibilities his future holds.

The book deals with the free people of color in 19th century New Orleans, mixed-blood descendants of freed slaves- the proud old families who have established themselves as tradesmen and planters but also the children of white planters' quadroon mistresses. All are oppressed in subtle ways and walk a narrow path of propriety in response. Abandoning their heritage for more racially tolerant Europe is a constant temptation. Even the most refined, educated and prosperous members of the old families cannot vote. A respectable white planter must not be embarrassed by the second family he maintains with his mistress and all assume a mistress's pretty daughter will follow her mother's profession.

Marcel, his sister Marie, his friends Richard and Anna Bella come of age in this environment with poignantly intense youthful enthusiasms, affections and anxieties. Anything their elders cannot face has been kept from them until they reach the age when their world's injustices become unavoidable. They then find themselves at odds with traditional ways that formerly provided meaning and certainty. The story that develops can't be summarized but it builds to such a pitch that when you reach the words in this review's title you might just cheer aloud, as i did. This is historical fiction at its best.

Years after reading this book, it's atmosphere and clearly drawn scenes linger in my memory. I had never known of the "gens de couleur libres" of New Orleans until this book. Rice has done an incredible job of bringing the time, place, and people to light. And the book brought such an engrossing human drama along with the knowledge, that it cannot be forgotten.

Beautiful.