Erzulie's Skirt

by Ana-Maurine Lara

Fiction. African American Studies. LGBT Studies. Finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in Lesbian Debut Fiction. Set in the age of urbanization in the Dominican Republic over the course of several lifetimes, ERZULIE'S SKIRT is a tale of how women and their families struggle with love, tragedy and destiny. Told from the perspectives of three women, ERZULIE'S SKIRT takes us from rural villages and sugar cane plantations to the poor neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, and through the journey by yola across the sea between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. It is a compelling love story that unearths our deep ancestral connections to land, ritual and memory.

Genres: Fiction, Lesbian, LGBT, Africa, School

254 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2006

About the author

Ana-Maurine Lara is a Dominican American lesbian poet, novelist and black feminist scholar. Lara is a long-time LGBT human rights activist and supporter, having served on the Board of Directors for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and unlike anything else I've ever read. And I probably wouldn't have read it if it hadn't been assigned for an English class of mine, but I am glad I did. I think it really broadened my world view.

It's a heavily spiritual book, but in none of the ways you've read before. This book has healers and spiritual guides. It's unique. and it brings to light a culture that Americans have tried to diminish over the years: African culture. Though it takes place in The Dominican Republic, it's richly a product of the aftermath of slavery. It deals with the ongoing issue of possession and what it means to be a human who does not have ownership of his/her own body. This story exemplifies the way in which people of African decent, after colonization, are able to gain control of their own bodies through the power of religion and spirituality.

Additionally, by having this story take place in The Dominican Republic, there's an interesting blend of African culture and the Spanish language. It's dripping with vivid images of poverty and hunger, most of which are heartbreaking. This book provides a significant look into the lives of marginalized peoples; it gives those who don't really have a voice the opportunity to share their stories.

Ana-Maurine Lara is a smart writer and a compelling story teller. This book is rewarding and worth exploring.

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a class, and that does not at all diminish the fact that this was an amazing book. I absolutely loved it! I also had to present on it so I did a lot of in depth readings of this book, and it was just so full of meaning and symbolism that it was such a fulfilling read. It also provided very meaningful insights into syncretism in religion and culture in this/these parts of the Caribbean, as well as the meaning of freedom, migration, gender, sexuality and how they all intersect with race as well. Such a beautiful book. Would definitely recommend this!

[Tiffany Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about two women in the Dominican Republic. The culture is fascinating to study. Trigger warnings, however.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an evocative and sometimes painful read, bringing back to me the Dominican Republic, where I spent time in the Peace Corps, with great vividness. Within the first few pages it became clear that it was a work of magical realism, but for my taste it had a bit too much magic and not enough realism. The realism there was so grim as to verge at times on torture porn.

As an introduction to African diasporic religion (Vodou), the tale was complex and enchanting. The lesbian relationship at the story's center was the most successful part of the narrative for me.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

:( sad...It was beautifully written. It had so much going on in terms of format, the shifting points of view, the lax take on the passage of time, the intimacy, the racism/discrimination within the same island...It's a lot to take in. Although Miriam was my favorite, several of Micaela's emotionally scarring backstories left me reeling. Their excursion to Puerto Rico, too, was horrifying. I'm glad that the ending was bittersweet rather than just bitter. Their lives are so so tragic and I'm glad that by the last few chapters, their chance to finally rest and have a happy time in their lives finally presents itself.
Still, the vast majority of this book was so so so so so sad. I don't think I would have read this book if it wasn't for a class. I did enjoy it and I'm glad I read it, but it's. HEAVY. It's the kind of book that weighs on you.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my favorite book I read in college, by a pretty wide margin. The prose is beautiful, the narratives combine in interesting ways, and it is one of the most touching and authentic representations of lesbian identities that I have ever seen. I should say that this book requires a Big content warning for, well, a lot of things: violent racism and homophobia, human trafficking, rape, and probably more things that I am forgetting. Through all of the difficulties, the book never dips into despair. Trauma and suffering, sure, but there is healing as well. This book owns.

[AinaBN · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit sad that I did not like this book. I just expected so much from it, and it sadly didn't deliver. I mean, I enjoyed learning a bit more about Dominican-Haitian relationships and voodoo. However, instead of slowly building up to the events, the relationships and all the things that happen to the main characters were rushed.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The African diasporic Caribbean mythology (Erzulie et al) is great. Love the multilingualism that is natural and unselfconscious. The plot is pretty jumpy, and the characters don’t get much interiority.

[MD Maio · Rating 5 out of 5]

another of the top 10 books i read in undergrad

[Lele]

I don’t feel like I can rate this because it’s been so long since I read the first half but I do feel like I can safely say this is a beautiful story full of so much love and life

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erzulie’s Skirt is part-novel, part-fable, and part exploration of the black diaspora. In all that, the bisexual nature of two of the three protagonists; Miriam, Micaela and Yealidad, is a minor note, made more so by the fact that one reason for the bisexuality is that during voodoo rites Miriam is ‘ridden’ by Changó, the male deity of thunder, giving an added level of resonance to this complex story.

Lara reveals a rarely told story; that of the many Caribbean-born women who are forced, or cajoled, into travelling to other lands to work. It’s a sweeping tale of love and loss, discrimination and affection, material poverty and cultural richness. In places the material is uneven; one whole section of the book deals with Micaela’s aunt arriving from America and insisting the girl attends school, but this is not developed with any sense of the value (or otherwise) of education, and Yealidad is little more than a footnote, designed to allow the other characters to move into the period after death. There are some inconsistencies too: a houngan is described in the glossary as a voodoo priestess but referred to as ‘he’ in the narrative, and Miriam is greeted by Jérémie with ‘You should be more discreet Miriam,’ although he asks a few lines later ‘What is your name, beautiful girl?’ Despite these minor glitches, the book is absorbing, tender and powerful, and a delight to read.

[Megan RFA · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before I begin, I would like to say that the subject matter of this novel is very important. This story deserves to be told and respected.

Having gotten that out of the way, I have to say that this is one of the most poorly written novels I have ever read. The sentences are clumsy at best and there are many cringe-worthy moments. It's enough to make English majors everywhere wince. The author is in serious need of an editor to cut out filler and to help organize the narrative.

This story should have been amazing, instead I was so distracted by how awful the writing is that I could not immerse myself in it, having to stop every few lines and wonder how such and such sentence/passage made it through the editing process, if there even was one.

[kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm a bit biased, i know the author and love her; hell, she's a friend in my goodreads. but the book was truly moving. smart and well-written, it follows a dual narrative with many twists, turns, and travels. full of folklore, spirituality, and multiple ways to experience sexuality (both touching and problematic; young and mature). definitely recommended for anyone.

[Qiana]

I haven't read it yet. But Ana is a very special person to me so I know her book has to rock. I look forward to reading it when I get enough money to buy more books.

[Tara Betts]

reviewed for the upcoming issue of Mosaic magazine

[Jessica]

This book dances off the page! It tells of the hardships of people and what they have left when they have nothing...

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and bittersweet.

[NR · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book. i really enjoyed reading this