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L'Immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen
Set in the antebellum Creole community surrounding New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral, L'IMMORTALITE offers a fine gumbo of horror and history, comedic characters and conflicted spirituality, and serves it up Cajun style in the attic of New Orleans' most haunted house. A reclusive lay sacristan shares the quest for immortality with a runaway slave, a sadistic socialite, and a mad scientist. Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau intercedes with a lesson in the power of compassion when their fates collide at the infamous Lalaurie Mansion. L'IMMORTALITE is based on the true story of the fire that led to the discovery of the Crescent City's most horrifying crime, an event that has generated legends of terror for almost two centuries. The tumultuous events of the 1830's, the lives of two powerful women, and the ghosts of a dozen characters torn from the pages of history all come to life in L'IMMORTALITE
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2012
66 people are currently reading
1346 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Heinan
1 book41 followersT.R. Heinan was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota and developed his love for history during his five years at Marquette University. After a brief stint as a journalist in Massachusetts, Heinan began a career in investment banking specializing in the airline and motion picture industries. His retirement years have been devoted to writing and to serving orphaned and homeless children at a Mexican orphanage that he helped to establish. L'Immortalitè is his first book-length work of historical fiction.
He is an avid traveler and was inspired to write about Delphine Lalaurie during one of his many visits to New Orleans, Louisiana. Heinan now resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife and two cats.
He is an avid traveler and was inspired to write about Delphine Lalaurie during one of his many visits to New Orleans, Louisiana. Heinan now resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 5, 2015
An Excellent Tale of Horror, Mixed with Some Real History, Magic, and Esoteric Lore!
The novel L'IMMORTALITE: MADAME LALAURIE AND THE VOODOO QUEEN by T. R. Heinan provides the reader a compelling and graphically descriptive tale with a clear window into both the history and legend of antebellum New Orleans—with its historical fabric consisting of horrid racial bigotry and cruelty along with its magical charms, where Catholicism and Voodoo can join hands, and where unspeakable horrors are committed by Delphine and Louis Lalaurie and yet the brave Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, risks her life to give comfort to a slave girl who has been tortured by the couple at Lalaurie Mansion.
Having grown up in Mississippi, and living near New Orleans, I found this novel disturbing for its historical truth about torture and treatment of slaves but also charming in that I love the blend of cultures of antebellum New Orleans so beautifully described by T.R. Heinan. It is a great tale and I certainly give it 5 stars and recommend this novel to everyone who loves a little horror, mixed with some real history, magic and esoteric lore, and excellent descriptive writing.
The novel L'IMMORTALITE: MADAME LALAURIE AND THE VOODOO QUEEN by T. R. Heinan provides the reader a compelling and graphically descriptive tale with a clear window into both the history and legend of antebellum New Orleans—with its historical fabric consisting of horrid racial bigotry and cruelty along with its magical charms, where Catholicism and Voodoo can join hands, and where unspeakable horrors are committed by Delphine and Louis Lalaurie and yet the brave Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, risks her life to give comfort to a slave girl who has been tortured by the couple at Lalaurie Mansion.
Having grown up in Mississippi, and living near New Orleans, I found this novel disturbing for its historical truth about torture and treatment of slaves but also charming in that I love the blend of cultures of antebellum New Orleans so beautifully described by T.R. Heinan. It is a great tale and I certainly give it 5 stars and recommend this novel to everyone who loves a little horror, mixed with some real history, magic and esoteric lore, and excellent descriptive writing.
December 10, 2013
Loved each paragraph and those descriptions! Very very good. Recommended for those who like Historical Fiction.
September 24, 2013
Horrendous yet Uplifting
This is a fictional story woven around the true history of Delphine Lalaurie whose desire for immortality came true, as her name will always be linked to the history of New Orleans. She beat and mistreated her slaves and sanctioned her husband's gruesome experiments in the name of science. Their antebellum mansion in the French Quarter has been preserved and is said to be one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans today, where the cries of the tortured and dismembered slaves can still be heard.
The story revolves around Philippe Bertrand, the Saint Louis Cathedral's lay sacristan and the kindly Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and their combined efforts to save a slave child and end the torture to the other slaves in the mansion.
The book is filled with hidden innuendo. Bertrand lives in a yellow brick house where today a yellow brick building actually exists, on Pirate's Alley, which becomes a metaphorical brick road for him. He gives the runaway slave girl Elise bread, and later pours her wine.
Marie Laveau practices voodoo but is also a regular member of the Catholic Church, and in reality, New Orleans is probably the only place in the world where the two come together today.
The story moves at a fast pace and is hard to put down.
The characters from the book are to be used by the hit TV series American Horror Story.
This is a fictional story woven around the true history of Delphine Lalaurie whose desire for immortality came true, as her name will always be linked to the history of New Orleans. She beat and mistreated her slaves and sanctioned her husband's gruesome experiments in the name of science. Their antebellum mansion in the French Quarter has been preserved and is said to be one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans today, where the cries of the tortured and dismembered slaves can still be heard.
The story revolves around Philippe Bertrand, the Saint Louis Cathedral's lay sacristan and the kindly Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and their combined efforts to save a slave child and end the torture to the other slaves in the mansion.
The book is filled with hidden innuendo. Bertrand lives in a yellow brick house where today a yellow brick building actually exists, on Pirate's Alley, which becomes a metaphorical brick road for him. He gives the runaway slave girl Elise bread, and later pours her wine.
Marie Laveau practices voodoo but is also a regular member of the Catholic Church, and in reality, New Orleans is probably the only place in the world where the two come together today.
The story moves at a fast pace and is hard to put down.
The characters from the book are to be used by the hit TV series American Horror Story.
January 5, 2014
L'IMMORTALITE
by T.R.Heinan
This novel is an exciting mixture of fact and fiction and it is hard to know which is which. L'Immortalite brings to light, once again, the brutal nature of slavery. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a family of rich white slave owners torture, mutilate, and murder many of their own slaves and cast terror into the hearts of the others in their captivity. Mr. Heinan introduces us to Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, who gives aid and comfort to a runaway slave, and faces a death sentence if she is caught. The author creates a graphic picture of a corrupt society that cannibalizes itself and is doomed to failure. Well done, Mr. Heinan, I could not put this book down.
Mary Firmin, author DEADLY PLEASURES.
by T.R.Heinan
This novel is an exciting mixture of fact and fiction and it is hard to know which is which. L'Immortalite brings to light, once again, the brutal nature of slavery. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a family of rich white slave owners torture, mutilate, and murder many of their own slaves and cast terror into the hearts of the others in their captivity. Mr. Heinan introduces us to Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, who gives aid and comfort to a runaway slave, and faces a death sentence if she is caught. The author creates a graphic picture of a corrupt society that cannibalizes itself and is doomed to failure. Well done, Mr. Heinan, I could not put this book down.
Mary Firmin, author DEADLY PLEASURES.
September 7, 2013
It's been awhile since I've read a book where I got angry with my life for getting in the way of me finishing a book in one sitting.
I was amazed at how Mr. Heinan put as much detail as he did into such a compact book. I have never been to New Orleans and the pictures and his ability to describe scene helped me to understand the physical, emotional, and mental settings of the story.
I hadn't heard of Delphine Lalaurie or Marie Laveau before reading L'immortalite. After reading it I want to know more of the history and rumor surrounding both women.
One would assume the book would focus on just the two women and the other characters would be flat, but I felt I knew all of the other characters surrounding the legend as well as madam Lalaurie and Marie Laveau, no matter how minor the character seemed to be.
The grizzly detail of the legend, the horrific acts, and the way T.R. Heinan described them sent chills up my spine. I found myself cringing from fear and anxiety, but unable to stop reading���Constantly cheering on another main character, Phillipe Bertrand.
Following Phillipe's journey of self-discovery and watching him grow from a cowardice person to a heroic figure folded in well with the more obvious plot of the book.
I was enthralled with the clash and harmony of voodoo and Catholicism. One would think that these two should not coincide or even mix, but Marie Laveau made it make sense.
The blend of history and legend, mystery, grousomeness, religion, and internal/external struggle makes this an enticing read!
I was amazed at how Mr. Heinan put as much detail as he did into such a compact book. I have never been to New Orleans and the pictures and his ability to describe scene helped me to understand the physical, emotional, and mental settings of the story.
I hadn't heard of Delphine Lalaurie or Marie Laveau before reading L'immortalite. After reading it I want to know more of the history and rumor surrounding both women.
One would assume the book would focus on just the two women and the other characters would be flat, but I felt I knew all of the other characters surrounding the legend as well as madam Lalaurie and Marie Laveau, no matter how minor the character seemed to be.
The grizzly detail of the legend, the horrific acts, and the way T.R. Heinan described them sent chills up my spine. I found myself cringing from fear and anxiety, but unable to stop reading���Constantly cheering on another main character, Phillipe Bertrand.
Following Phillipe's journey of self-discovery and watching him grow from a cowardice person to a heroic figure folded in well with the more obvious plot of the book.
I was enthralled with the clash and harmony of voodoo and Catholicism. One would think that these two should not coincide or even mix, but Marie Laveau made it make sense.
The blend of history and legend, mystery, grousomeness, religion, and internal/external struggle makes this an enticing read!
March 15, 2020
I was fortunate to win this books in one of Goodreads Giveaways. Included with the book, signed by the author, was a letter from the author which was absolutely thrilling ! I loved the added information in that letter and certainly appreciate all of the hard work and research that went in to it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. More history than fiction, I found the story fascinating and appalling at the same time. I think the only down side is that it is not long enough! Congratulations to you T.R.Heinan on an excellent effort and piece of literary work. I look forward to seeing more from you.
February 25, 2020
This was a very good short read.
This was a good short read on some of the history of New Orleans and it's fascinating characters.
I would recommend it.
This was a good short read on some of the history of New Orleans and it's fascinating characters.
I would recommend it.
November 29, 2013
"L'immortalite" by T.R. Heinan is an intriguing look into the true story of one New Orleans' couple, whose gruesome acts performed upon others granted them a grotesque form of immortality.
This book is based on true events and real people, including Delpine and Louis Lalaurie, and Marie Laveau, the famed Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. The book not only retells the legend and truth of the atrocities that took place in the Lalaurie mansion--the disfigurement of, experimentation upon, and horrific treatment of numerous slaves--but addresses thoughts on immortality and the price one must pay to achieve it.
What was most interesting for me was the historical truth of this novel. I had no idea that these events took place, including the Louisiana-wide Code Noir, which both oppressed and protected blacks during the time of its enforcement. The blending of Voodoo, Catholicism, and multicultural traditions in New Orleans during this time was a fascinating and essential backdrop to the telling of the story. I felt like I was getting an in-depth history lesson while being pulled along with the tale.
This book is a very quick read, but one which I found myself needing to know what was going to happen to the many interesting characters. Although the back of the book describes it as a "comedic meditation," I had a hard time finding the humor in the horrific events. That being said, Marie Laveau was a very likeable character, and I found myself smiling at some of her wisdom. I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a quick read about a pervasive, yet somewhat elusive, topic in our nation's history.
This book is based on true events and real people, including Delpine and Louis Lalaurie, and Marie Laveau, the famed Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. The book not only retells the legend and truth of the atrocities that took place in the Lalaurie mansion--the disfigurement of, experimentation upon, and horrific treatment of numerous slaves--but addresses thoughts on immortality and the price one must pay to achieve it.
What was most interesting for me was the historical truth of this novel. I had no idea that these events took place, including the Louisiana-wide Code Noir, which both oppressed and protected blacks during the time of its enforcement. The blending of Voodoo, Catholicism, and multicultural traditions in New Orleans during this time was a fascinating and essential backdrop to the telling of the story. I felt like I was getting an in-depth history lesson while being pulled along with the tale.
This book is a very quick read, but one which I found myself needing to know what was going to happen to the many interesting characters. Although the back of the book describes it as a "comedic meditation," I had a hard time finding the humor in the horrific events. That being said, Marie Laveau was a very likeable character, and I found myself smiling at some of her wisdom. I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a quick read about a pervasive, yet somewhat elusive, topic in our nation's history.
December 22, 2015
L’Immortalitie: Madame LaLaurie and the Voodoo Queen by T. R. Heinan is a well written and for the most part historically accurate novel about the Madame LaLaurie and her husband, who were clearly both demented, and their torturous experiments on their slaves and how they were eventually discovered and fled New Orleans. Within this is woven the tale of Madame LaLaurie’s relationship to the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and how magic served to undo the LaLauries. This is a well-written and interesting tale with illustrations and is well worth reading.
The Silver Elves authors of The Elves of Lyndarys: A Magical Tale of Modern Faerie Folk.
The Silver Elves authors of The Elves of Lyndarys: A Magical Tale of Modern Faerie Folk.
August 31, 2013
This book has made me 'stop and think about life in the South as that is where I was raised. Ashamed that this history exist for the Southern people, I am happy that T.R. Henan has done such an outstanding job of connecting history with twist of suspense.
L'Immortalite gives us a glance of how it was with the earthy farmers and their slaves.
I love New Orleans and it makes me sad to remember that we shared such a sorted history but Mr. Heinan has done a fabulous job with his account. Now, true or fiction is your job to sort!!
I bought the paperback version because I love a book in the hand!
Mamie
L'Immortalite gives us a glance of how it was with the earthy farmers and their slaves.
I love New Orleans and it makes me sad to remember that we shared such a sorted history but Mr. Heinan has done a fabulous job with his account. Now, true or fiction is your job to sort!!
I bought the paperback version because I love a book in the hand!
Mamie
January 13, 2014
Quick, easy but great read about the LaLauries, Marie Laveaux and other characters from that time period. Loved how everything was tied together so well and well written.
July 18, 2015
Eternity
This was an assume book I could not put it down I recommend this book to everyone it's fascinating. Loved it
This was an assume book I could not put it down I recommend this book to everyone it's fascinating. Loved it
March 22, 2020
I read this novel in the preparation for a trip to New Orleans. I had heard of these characters for the first time from AHS Season 3; I was looking for another entertaining source about these unique women and L'Immortalite was not disappointing.
L'Immortalite is mostly told from the perspective of a young cleric working at the St. Louis Cathedral, Philippe. Philippe is an introvert, and keeps mostly to himself, he does occasionally talk to Marie Laveau when the Voodoo Queen visits St. Louis. Whilst talking to Laveau one evening, he is introduced to Delphine Lalaurie, a New Orleans socialite known for throwing fantastic parties. Lalaurie invites Philippe to have coffee with her. Philippe becomes suspicious of Lalaurie and her husband, Louis, almost immediately when a slave runs into the room with a large cut on her finger, followed shortly by Louis. Philippe spends the remainder of the novel working with Laveau trying to expose the atrocities of the Lalauries' against their slaves.
I very much enjoyed this historical-fiction. It told the story of the characters from different perspectives. I also appreciated the lack of gory torture supposed by the Lalauries. It made the read much easier not getting sucked into the atrocities. I would recommend this story to anyone who is interested in the occult of these two women.
L'Immortalite is mostly told from the perspective of a young cleric working at the St. Louis Cathedral, Philippe. Philippe is an introvert, and keeps mostly to himself, he does occasionally talk to Marie Laveau when the Voodoo Queen visits St. Louis. Whilst talking to Laveau one evening, he is introduced to Delphine Lalaurie, a New Orleans socialite known for throwing fantastic parties. Lalaurie invites Philippe to have coffee with her. Philippe becomes suspicious of Lalaurie and her husband, Louis, almost immediately when a slave runs into the room with a large cut on her finger, followed shortly by Louis. Philippe spends the remainder of the novel working with Laveau trying to expose the atrocities of the Lalauries' against their slaves.
I very much enjoyed this historical-fiction. It told the story of the characters from different perspectives. I also appreciated the lack of gory torture supposed by the Lalauries. It made the read much easier not getting sucked into the atrocities. I would recommend this story to anyone who is interested in the occult of these two women.
January 12, 2019
Loved it
Great book with a nice mix. Kept me interested. Love the history Stories about religions, voodoo, and traditions. Will def
Great book with a nice mix. Kept me interested. Love the history Stories about religions, voodoo, and traditions. Will def
February 3, 2020
Quick read. Interesting but not a fan of the ending. Things wrapped up too quickly like a Stephen King book. Worth the read as easy light reading.
October 18, 2022
A fun quick read. Great story for October. It could use some more character and story development.
April 26, 2015
A quick, fun retelling of the twisted events surrounding the Lalaurie family in New Orleans in 1834. The actual historical events actually make up very little of the novel's actual plot, but I found the fictional elements more fun at times. A harrowing action scene where a runaway slave escapes through the bayou ended up being the highlight of the book for me, and stole a bit of the focus away from the tragedies occurring in the mansion and from the fire at the climax. The fictional protagonist gets a much better character arc than any of the historical figures, and Marie Laveau (the Voodoo Queen referenced in the title) never really does much in the story. In addition, the novel contains a prologue and epilogue that I felt detracted from the story quite a bit.
However, I did learn quite a bit that I didn't know before, specifically about the Code Noir, the beginnings of Voodoo, and life in general in New Orleans at the time. The city has such a rich and fascinating history, and the note on historical context at the beginning of the book is definitely worth reading.
If you don't know the story of Madame Lalaurie, there are probably more entertaining or informative sources out there. This is really the story of a man coming to terms with his past, which uses the Lalaurie Mansion murders as a backdrop. It's well-told and set in one of the most fascinating cities in the U.S. Worth a read, I think.
However, I did learn quite a bit that I didn't know before, specifically about the Code Noir, the beginnings of Voodoo, and life in general in New Orleans at the time. The city has such a rich and fascinating history, and the note on historical context at the beginning of the book is definitely worth reading.
If you don't know the story of Madame Lalaurie, there are probably more entertaining or informative sources out there. This is really the story of a man coming to terms with his past, which uses the Lalaurie Mansion murders as a backdrop. It's well-told and set in one of the most fascinating cities in the U.S. Worth a read, I think.
December 27, 2014
Having visited New Orleans several times and done some reading on Marie Laveau, I was surprised when watching American Horror Story: Coven to learn for the first time about about Mme Lalaurie and her infamy. I was interested to read about her and now am impatient to visit New Orleans again.
This story is historical fiction and a quick read. It's not fine literature but very interesting if you are intrigued by the subject matter.
This story is historical fiction and a quick read. It's not fine literature but very interesting if you are intrigued by the subject matter.
May 7, 2015
Based on all the glowing reviews I wasn't expecting such a simple story. I've recently done a lot of research on Marie Laveau and thought this would be a fun read. Unfortunately there wasn't much character development and it was written in a very distant point of view. I appreciated the author's research and attempt to braid facts into a work of fiction. I just wished he'd had better plot/writing style.
November 20, 2015
I was confused by this book. While reading it I kept thinking that it was a young adult book, especially with out of place, amateur illustrations that really take you out of the story. The characters and plot are very simple, one dimensional, predictable. But then there will be detailed descriptions of gore thrown in, maybe in an effort to make the story more authentic but it just comes off as strange and heavy handed with the youthful writing style.
October 30, 2014
This just wasn't the book for me. I was interested in it after learning a bit about the characters on American Horror Story: Coven, but unfortunately, I just wasn't captivated by the storyline. I found it kind of dull. There wasn't a problem with the writing or anything like that...I think it was just a matter of preference, and it wasn't my kind of story. I ended up skimming a lot.
August 13, 2016
This is the first book of this genre that I've ever read. Superb. It was captivating from beginning to end. Yet you will be a bit upset. You'll be upset because you'll feel like you were in the situations with all the characters. It's amazing how anyone could be so evil.
You will not be disappointed in this book.
You will not be disappointed in this book.
June 8, 2015
Just don't bother. The book was just really bad. There was no character development, no dimensions to the characters. It was very always bad or always a saint. And the pictures were very poor and unnecessary. If you're looking for a page turner or a nail biter this is not it. It just lacked so much
January 14, 2015
The rates more than a 5 star!
What a fantastic author who can actually make one feel like they are side by side with the characters. I could even smell the Jasmine. Great story with the history of New Orlens intertwined.
What a fantastic author who can actually make one feel like they are side by side with the characters. I could even smell the Jasmine. Great story with the history of New Orlens intertwined.
February 10, 2014
Fascinating and very creepy historical fiction. The subject matter made up for the writing.
April 8, 2014
Interesting book based on true events in New Orleans before the Civil War. Good character development.
June 25, 2014
I love Historical Fiction and this fits the bill. It is a light a read but very worth picking up.
October 23, 2014
Super great read. Finished in a few hours.
March 25, 2015
I'd go 2.5 stars on this. Quick, easy read about a place we are sure to see when we visit New Orleans. Would recommend for anyone travelling there just to get a taste...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews