In the days before the Civil War, there lived a Louisiana people unique in Southern histroy. Though descended from African slaves, they were also descended from the French and Spanish who enslaved them. Called the Free People of Color, this dazzling historical novel chronicles the lives of four of them--men and women caught perilously between the worlds of master and slave, privilege and oppression, passion and pain.
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"This book is not about vampires or witches. It is about the free people of color in New Orleans in prior to the Civil War. It is a lushly written book, kind of like an advanced romance novel. I read it again recently and liked it as easy reading before bedtime."
— Needleroozer (4 out of 5 stars)
" My absolute least favorite of all her books that I have read. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. Throughout the whole book I could not find a plot. It was just a bunch of rambling. The only reason I finished it was because I have to finish every book that I start, otherwise I would have quit halfway through. "
— Elizabeth, 2/19/2014" This is a difficult read for me - so it has been an on going process for me.... "
— Nacole, 2/11/2014" Couldn't get into this book at all. Lacked momentum. Seemed to drag. Tried to muddle through a couple of times, but found it abysmal. "
— Val, 2/10/2014" Lame. Total disappointment. "
— Jack, 1/23/2014" I love reading about the old south and visualizing how people dressed back in those times. "
— Terri, 1/22/2014" One of my very favorite books ... A surprise from Anne Rice after reading every one of her Vampire series! "
— Dabblingdeb, 1/21/2014" A wonderful look into the complex interracial history of New Orleans, and a dramatic story of how it's families survived the fall out. "
— Sarah, 1/19/2014" A very good representation of her non-supernatural themes. She continues to offer rich, sensual worlds in which she envelops her readers. "
— Michele, 1/18/2014" One of my favorite books of all time! "
— C.j., 1/5/2014" An insight into French Louisiana and the class system that developed in the French Quarter by Haitian women and their families. "
— Jacquie, 12/30/2013" I love this book. It is unique look into Louisianna's early years. "
— Nancy, 12/27/2013" This book made me understand colourism in Black society a bit more. Very interesting book, though it took me about 200 pages to really get into it "
— Rowena, 12/25/2013" just re-read. Still awesome. "
— Mcrownover, 12/10/2013" I enjoyed this story - a good departure from the Vampire Chronicles. "
— Dolly, 11/8/2013" Liked her other stuff better. "
— Sebastian, 9/21/2013" It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did it was hard to put down. Ann Rice's writing is so descriptive that I could feel the heat and humidity of New Orleans and picture everything in complete detail. The ending catches you by suprise.... "
— Karen, 8/17/2013" I believe that this is the best book that Anne Rice has written. "
— Paula, 8/17/2013" The first to get me hooked on Vampires! "
— Susan, 7/21/2013" My favorite Anne Rice book. It has nothing to do with vampires.... but everything to do with New Orleans in a time before the Civil Way when affluent black families had a place in society. Excellent historical novel. "
— Mary, 5/6/2013" Love this book, was when Anne Rice was a gret writer. "
— Christopher, 12/4/2012" I dropped this book out of my hand after the first couple of chapters; it's a collection of unauthentic Mary Janes of the worst kind. Please, spare yourselves the waste of energy. "
— Meirav, 10/27/2012" Easily one of my favorite reads, though the 1st 50 pages is a bit slow. "
— Michele, 8/27/2012" Interesting plot but too much verbal swooning. "
— mart, 6/25/2012" One of the best books written "
— Madia, 6/10/2012" I come back to this book every 6 years or so because it is well written with some historical accuracy. Tortured anti-hero and tragedy make it worthwhile, even only once. "
— Kari, 5/16/2012" I don't know. It was interesting, but I got bored after awhile. There didn't seem to be a big enough hook for me. "
— Anissa, 10/23/2011" This is a wonderful and historically accurate novel. I did my master's thesis on this and Faulkner's Absolum,Absolum. As always the writing is rich and sensuos. A true master of southern literary writing. "
— Stacey, 8/6/2011" GREAT book.<br/>I think I look more forward to Anne Rice when she writes a fictional novel about historical characters or groups of people than I do to her Vampire and Witches series. "
— Christopher, 4/26/2011" God, I love her. This keeps old-world New Orleans (my favorite city) alive in my head. "
— Angie, 3/10/2011" anne rice is probably my favorite author and this book provides an interesting perspective on mixed people of color who are free yet still enslaved at the same time. great book! "
— Jennifer, 3/8/2011" A wonderful look into the complex interracial history of New Orleans, and a dramatic story of how it's families survived the fall out. "
— Sarah, 1/26/2011" Absolutely loved this book. It's one of the best examples of Rice weaving a great history lesson into a captivating story. Once again she encourages her readers to think, feel, experience and question their own human natures. "
— Julie, 1/25/2011" This book made me understand colourism in Black society a bit more. Very interesting book, though it took me about 200 pages to really get into it "
— Hannah, 1/15/2011" Easily one of my favorite reads, though the 1st 50 pages is a bit slow. "
— Michele, 12/29/2010" Probably my favorite Anne Rice book. I like stories about the old south. "
— Raelee, 12/26/2010" Amazing book about New Orleans and the relationship between the Blacks and Whites. Recommended Read "
— Nana, 12/13/2010Anne Rice was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English and creative writing from San Francisco State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is the author of over thirty books, including tales of the Mayfair Witches. Her first novel, Interview with the Vampire, was published in 1976 and has gone on to become part of one of the bestselling series of all time. She continued her saga of the Vampire Lestat in a series of books, collectively known as the Vampire Chronicles, which have had both great mainstream and cult followings. She lives in Palm Desert, California.