{"product_id":"the-roving-tree-paperback-may-7-2013-by-elsie-augustave-author","title":"The Roving Tree Paperback – May 7, 2013 by Elsie Augustave (Author)","description":"\u003cdiv data-expanded=\"false\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eA powerful debut novel illuminating how adoptees struggle to recapture their personal histories and cultural legacy, part of Akashic’s Open Lens imprint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Augustave, a first-time novelist, pens a well-balanced story about a young woman, caught between two worlds, who struggles to connect with her heritage . . . a polished narrative that addresses racism and cultural and class differences and provides a wealth of information about vaudou beliefs.” ―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElsie Augustave’s debut novel, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Roving Tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, explores multiple themes: separation and loss, rootlessness, the impact of class privilege and color consciousness, and the search for cultural identity. The central character, Iris Odys, is the offspring of Hagathe, a Haitian maid, and Brahami, a French-educated mulatto father who cares little about his child.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHagathe, who had always dreamt of a better life for her child, is presented with the perfect opportunity when Iris is five years old. Adopted by a white American couple, an anthropologist and art gallery owner, Iris is transported from her tiny remote Haitian village, Monn Neg, to an American suburb.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Roving Tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e illuminates how imperfectly assimilated adoptees struggle to remember their original voices and recapture their personal histories and cultural legacy. Set between two worlds, suburban America and Haiti under the oppressive regime of Papa Doc’s Tanton Macoutes, the novel offers a unique literary glimpse into the deeply entrenched class discrimination and political repression of Haiti during the Duvalier era, along with the subtle but nonetheless dangerous effects of American racism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTold from beyond the grave, Iris seamlessly shares her poignant and pivotal life experiences. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Roving Tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, underscored by the spiritual wisdom of Haitian griots, offers insightful revelations of the importance of significant relationships with family and friends. Years later, we see how these elements are transformative to Iris’s intense love affair, and her personal and professional growth. Universal truths resonate beyond the pages of this work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-header a-expander-partial-collapse-header\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content-fade\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca role=\"button\" data-action=\"a-expander-toggle\" class=\"a-declarative\" data-a-expander-toggle='{\"allowLinkDefault\":true, \"expand_prompt\":\"Read more\", \"collapse_prompt\":\"Read less\"}'\u003e\u003ci class=\"a-icon a-icon-extender-expand\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-expander-prompt\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"InPowerBooks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47237566464227,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6567\/9331\/files\/B20139.jpg?v=1759604456","url":"https:\/\/www.inpowerimports.com\/products\/the-roving-tree-paperback-may-7-2013-by-elsie-augustave-author","provider":"Inpowerimports.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}