Dance on the Volcano

by Marie Vieux-Chauvet, Kaiama L Glover (Translator)

Dance on the Volcano tells the story of two sisters growing up during the Haitian Revolution in a culture that swings heavily between decadence and poverty, sensuality and depravity. One sister, because of her singing ability, is able to enter into the white colonial society otherwise generally off limits to people of color. Closely examining a society sagging under the white supremacy of the French colonist rulers, Dance on the Volcano is one of only novels to closely depict the seeds and fruition of the Haitian Revolution, tracking an elaborate hierarchy of skin color and class through the experiences of two young women. It is a story about hatred and fear, love and loss, and the complex tensions between colonizer and colonized, masterfully translated by Kaiama L. Glover.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Race, Novels, 20th Century, Literature, Literary Fiction

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Marie Vieux-Chauvet (1916–1973) was a Haitian novelist, poet and playwright. Born and educated in Port-au-Prince, her most famous works are the novels Fille d'Haïti (1954), La Danse sur le Volcan (1957), Fonds des Nègres (1961), and Amour, Colère, Folie (1968).

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Port-au-Prince, 1792. Die Schwestern Minette und Lise, Töchter einer freigelassen Sklavin, wachsen dort auf und erobern mit ihren Stimmen das Theater der Weißen.
"Der Tanz auf dem Vulkan" ist eine nervenaufreibende und atemberaubende Geschichte über die Revolution von 1804, aber auch ein Bildungs- und Entwicklingsroman. Ein langer und beschwerlicher Weg in die Unabhängigkeit Haitis.
Eine Geschichte über Minette, Lise, Jasmin, Joseph und allen anderen Protagonisten/innen, die wirklich gelebt haben und unter ihrem tatsächlichen Namen auftreten.
Ungeschönt, spannend und sprachlich brillant. Ein verborgener Klassiker und ein sehr lesenswertes Buch.

[Kingofmusic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein Vulkan namens Haiti

Die haitianische Schriftstellerin Marie Vieux-Chauvet (1916-1973) konnte mich bereits im letzten Jahr mit ihrem in der Reihe „Mehr Klassikerinnen“ im Manesse Verlag veröffentlichten Debüt-Roman „Töchter Haitis“ begeistern. Jetzt wurde dieser Reihe ein weiterer Roman von ihr hinzugefügt. Wie schon der Vorgänger wurde auch „Der Tanz auf dem Vulkan“ von Nathalie Lemmens aus dem Französischen übersetzt; ebenso gibt es wieder ein sehr lesenswertes, informatives und den Roman in den historischen Kontext und in das Werk Vieux-Chauvet einbindendes Nachwort von Kaiama L. Glover. Soviel zu den nüchternen Fakten *g*.

Lassen wir zu Beginn die Autorin selbst zu Wort kommen:

„Dieses Buch entstand auf der Grundlage historischen Materials. Die beiden Protagonistinnen und alle weiteren Hauptfiguren haben wirklich gelebt und treten unter ihren tatsächlichen Namen auf. Die wichtigsten Ereignisse in ihrem Leben sowie die geschilderten historischen Begebenheiten entsprechen den Tatsachen.“ (S. 5)

Die hier genannten Protagonistinnen sind zwei Schwestern und hören auf die Namen Minette und Lise. Als Töchter einer ehemaligen Sklavin sind sie dem in der französischen Kolonie Haiti vorherrschenden Rassismus gnadenlos ausgesetzt. Und trotzdem schaffen sie dank ihres ungewöhnlich hohen Talents (die Schwestern sind Sängerinnen) Grenzen zu sprengen, die ihnen die Türen zu dem örtlichen Theater in Port-au-Prince öffnen. Das bedeutet jedoch nicht, dass der Rassismus und die Unterdrückung der weißen Besatzer an der Theatertür endet, denn auch hier sind sie der Willkür der Franzosen ausgesetzt, was sich z. B. im nicht ausgezahlten Gehalt etc. widerspiegelt. Doch Minette ist eine Kämpferin und schließt sich einer Untergrundorganisation an, um die Rechte der Schwarzen zu stärken und den Rassismus zu bekämpfen. Zeitlich gesehen hat sich das Ganze also vor der haitianischen Revolution (dem titelgebenden Vulkan) 1802 abgespielt.

Marie Vieux-Chauvet führt die Leser:innen teils im Zeitraffer durch Minette`s und das Leben ihrer Familie und Freunde und die Zeit im Theater. Einiges wiederholt sich dabei relativ oft und das (teils) divenhafte Gebahren Minette´s lässt den Leser (mich) mit den Augen rollen. Doch warum sollte die Autorin ihre Heldin nur mit guten Seiten ausstatten? Also liest man drüber hinweg und freut sich mit Minette über ihre Erfolge, nimmt einen kleinen Anteil an ihrem Liebesleben und beobachtet (nicht nur) sie dabei, wie die Lava im Inneren des Vulkans Haiti immer weiter ansteigt und letztendlich ausbricht.

Bis zu diesem Punkt der Geschichte brauchen die Leser:innen einen langen Atem und dann geht alles Knall auf Fall. Das ist eine Sache, die mich persönlich etwas an dem Roman gestört hat. Überhaupt merke ich seit geraumer Zeit, dass meine Aufmerksamkeitsspanne bei Romanen jenseits der 300 Seiten nachgelassen hat – das soll potenzielle Leser:innen aber nicht davon abschrecken, diesen mit fast 500 Seiten (inklusive knapp 200 teils sehr ausführlichen Anmerkungen und dem wie oben bereits erwähnten Nachwort) recht umfangreichen mit historisch belegtem Material und hier und da das Privileg der künstlerische Freiheit ausnutzendem Roman die absolut verdiente Chance zu geben, einen Klassiker der (haitianischen) Literatur für sich zu entdecken.

Da mir „Töchter Haitis“ im direkten Vergleich etwas besser gefallen hat, vergebe ich hier dieses Mal „nur“ 4* und spreche eine Leseempfehlung aus.

©kingofmusic

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes the intrinsic interest of a book outweighs its literary merit and I felt this was very much the case with this Haitian novel from 1957. The author is a key figure of Haitian literature and using a real historical event as her springboard shows us a society and a time that is, to my knowledge, rarely reflected in fiction. Set in Haiti in the late 18th century it’s the tale of a local mixed-race girl who through the beauty of her voice is catapulted to stardom and manages to cross racial and societal boundaries. The book gives a vivid portrait of life on the island and the social conditions there, featuring as it does whites, blacks, slaves, freedmen, maroons and mixed race characters. The title comes from the original French, in which “danser sur un volcan” is an expression which means to be blind to imminent danger, and that eloquently sums up the tone of the novel, which takes place just before the Haitian Revolution. What I very much appreciated about the novel is the fact that it opened up to me a time and a place about which I knew virtually nothing. What I didn’t enjoy was the over-blown language and often clichéd writing. Sentences such as “The wings of her deliciously indented nose trembled with the slightest emotion”. All rather Mills & Boon. Not helped by the rather clumsy translation. Far too many “gottens” for a British ear, and which in any case are rather anachronistic. Not to mention “Anyway, I could care less.” Not in Haiti in the 1770s, I don’t think. And even such clumsy translation as “A sort of unhealthy obsession kept her on a sort of leash”. Without reading the original French I can’t really judge whether the fault always lies with the translator but certainly a bit of editing wouldn’t have come amiss. Nevertheless, it’s still a book worth reading in my opinion – just steel yourself for some linguistic and stylistic infelicities.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Dance on the Volcano' by Marie Vieux-Chauvet (translated by Kaiama L Glover)

4.5 stars/ 9 out of 10

This story is set in a country about which I know very little, Haiti; and at a time about which I know even less, the Haitian Revolution.

Marie Vieux-Chauvet, through a story that revolves around the life of Minette, a 'mixed-blood' girl, provides us with a great insight into this time, the end of the 18th century. I was fascinated to find out more about this society and culture. I found all the descriptions very evocative, and felt that all my senses were actively involved in following the descriptions and actions in the book.

I very much enjoyed the book, and now intend to read a nonfiction account about the history and culture of Haiti.

This novel was originally published in French in 1957. I thought this translation was very readable. I am pleased that, as an English speaker, I am now able to share this insight that Marie Vieux-Chauvet has provided into her native country.

Thank you to Archipelago Books and to NetGalley for an ARC.

[Lina]

Die Geschichte über die Zeit vor und während der Revolution Haïtis aus der Sicht eine Frau, die mit Klassen und Standesregeln bricht, indem sie im Theater der Weißen Auftritt und begeistert. Dieses Buch deckt viel Geschichte ab, ist gut recherchiert (31 Seiten Fußnoten waren mir dann doch fast etwas viel) und unterhält dennoch durch ihre rebellischen Charaktere.
Mir haben etwas Zeitangaben gefehlt, oft kamen sie erst in Retrospektive als Nebensatz wie lange sie zb schon im Theater arbeitet und es gab die ein oder andere Ungereimtheit (Joseph rennt mit ihr zum Platz, kommt im nächsten Absatz aber erst aus einer anderen Stadt zurück).
Außerdem war es manchmal mehr Geschichtsbuch als Roman, vor allem am Ende, das hat mich aber nicht groß gestört.

[Ruby Grad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The story is centered on Minette, who is a young girl when it starts. She is exceptionally talented as a singer and an actress. Unfortunately, she lives in what is now Haiti, but was the French colony of Saint Domingue then. She is mixed race: Her mother was enslaved when she was born and her father was the white planter who enslaved her mother. Because her mother was freed when he died, Minette is a "freedwoman." It is unfortunate, because she is not allowed to perform because of her race. However, her neighbors, the Creole Acquaires, are part of the Comedie, and convince the director to allow Minette to perform, and she becomes a sensation. As she grows, we learn more and more about Saint Domingue, including how freedmen also owned plantations and were enslavers, and the growing unrest among both the freedmen, who do not have all of the rights of the white planters, and the enslaved. The story culminates with the famous revolt in the late 18th century.

I enjoyed reading it and learning so much about Saint Domingue/Haiti. I did find it a bit melodramatic, but I enjoyed the characters and how they were portrayed.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: tons of violence surrounding this time period & specifically on the topic of slavery. Very difficult to read those parts at times.

The author’s note stated the major events, principle characters and historical events are completely authentic. That truly got me. Getting to know Minette, growing with her, feeling her love, pain & anger, was deeply felt on my end. I knew nothing of Haiti, nor this time period so being able to learn so much was a nice surprise for me. I picked this up from Albertine on a trip to NYC & am very happy I did!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my book group. Compelling story. Last 100 or so pages felt rushed. Up until then it was very good. But I did learn a bit about the Haitian revolution, and am now reading Black Jacobins to learn a bit more of Haitian history. Recommend to the curious. Not a beach read.

[Kevin Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times this was perfect. Others, just ok. But boy, what I wouldn’t give to hear Minette sing. It’s an incredible feat to understand what her voice would sound like using only words on a page. Recommended that you check out. Archipelago never disappoints.

[كريستيان · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spannende Geschichte (Erzählung & Historie) und großartiges literarisches und postkoloniales Buchereignis!

Die Geschichte vom unglaublichen (aber historisch verbürgten) Aufstieg der jungen farbigen Minette aus einfachen Verhältnissen zum gefeierten Opernstar in der gnadenlos rassistischen Kolonie Saint Domingue Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts und kurz vor dem Ausbruch der 'haitianischen' Revolution (1791-1804) ist packend beschrieben und bedient sich einer einfachen Sprache, die an einigen Stellen - für meinen Geschmack - etwas redundant (Situationsbeschreibungen) oder pathetisch (Erzählerkommentare) ist, aber niemals stört und stattdessen die Handlung nach vorne bringt, Tempo macht und die Figuren lebendig werden lässt.

Dabei stechen die pointierten soziokulturellen Detailbeschreibungen hervor, wie etwa die mit Edelsteine geschmückten Zehen der farbigen Frauen. Diese stellen einen Akt des Widerstands dar: Weil die weißen Ehefrauen auf der Kolonisten auf die farbigen Frauen eifersüchtig waren, haben sie für diese ein Schuhverbot erwirkt, damit sie ihre Ehemänner nicht mehr durch ihr Schuhe bezirzen können, was diese durch den glitzernden Fussschmuck aber kreativ umgingen. Die Erzählung verbindet geschickt die Beschreibung der Handlung mit der Erklärung des historischen Kontext, so dass diese "Edelsteine" im Text leichtfüßig und eben ohne historiographische Schwerfälligkeit den Lesenden ins Auge fallen.

Obwohl der Roman bereits 1958 erschienen ist, passt "Der Tanz auf dem Vulkan" bestens zu unseren gegenwärtigen Diskursen der Gender und Postkolonialen Studien. Soweit, so schön. Doch das wird dem dem Roman nicht gerecht, der ein grossartiges Buchereignis ist, wie die erhellende Fussnoten und vor allem das kluge Nachwort von Kaima Glover zeigen. Die Autorin hat VOR unseren gegenwärtigen Diskursen eine historisch äußerst genau recherchierte und intellektuell scharfsichtige intersektionelle Analyse von Machtdynamiken kolonial geprägter Gesellschaften und ihrer Handlungsfähigkeit vorgelegt. Und sich damit zugleich GEGEN ihren zeitgenössischen politischen Diskurs des rassisch-essenzialistischrn colorism gestellt und damit gegen die Ideologie des 1957 an die Macht kommenden Diktators Duvalier. Zugleich schreibt Marie Vieux-Chauvet sich mit ihrer femistisch-postkolonialen Gegengeschichte zur französischen und haitianischen Revolution das Ereignis in die literarische Globalgeschichte ein (viele nicht-haitianische AutorInnen hatten darüber geschrieben) und belegt zugleich als Erste (und Erster) die Leerstelle in der haitianischen Literatur, die das Ereignis bis dato (aus vielen Gründen) als literarischen Stoff und zur intellektuellen Auseinandersetzung mied.

In der großartigen Reihe "Mehr Klassikerinnen bei Manesse" ist dem Verlag mit Hilfe der flüssigen Übersetzung (samt den sehr überzeugenden und transparenten Übersetzungsentscheidungen für die unterschiedlichen historischen Termini der people of colour) und dem exzellenten Anmerkungen eine fabelhafte Entdeckung gelungen! Eine Assia Djebar der haitianischen Literatur (auch wenn Vergleiche natürlich immer blöd sind, weil sie zu kurz greifen).

All das macht Lust auf mehr: von dieser Autorin, von der karibischen Literatur, von dieser Reihe der Klassikerinnen.

[Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3/5

[A Lazy Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the time of Haitian Revolution, this novel tells the story of two mulatto sisters in Port Au Prince. They can easily passed as white because of their mixed blood. Minette is the big sister who is a prodigious singer. Her singing ability paves the path of her performing on the stage of Comedie which was forbidden for them. This novel has so many characters and each of them has their stories. As a fast paced novel, it shows how Minette gradually changes her views on the revolution and how she involved in them.

This is not a romance novel, still I liked the interaction between Minette and Jean Bapiste Lapointe. When they first met outside of the comedie, Minette wanted to dance with him. But he refused her saying that he couldn't dance because he was disabled. Minette was attracted toward him, so she felt really sad. Lapointe walked away from her by dragging his legs. Well, the hilarious moment came when Joseph (Minette's mentor and called-brother) told her that Lapointe was perfectly fit. Realizing she was rejected by a man whom she first ever asked to dance, Minette became really angry. Though the anger was diminished later on.

This novel is written from Mulatto perspective. It left my heart little hollow in the end.

[Librarian Jawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chauvet’s writing is comparable to the flair of Voltaire with the heart of Rousseau. Attention to her work is long overdue and is a consequence of her works being censored for so long.

Set in 18th century Haiti, a decade shy before the revolution, we meet a black or “colored” freedwoman named Minette. Social and political tensions brim in the background as Minette comes of age rising from a peasant girl to a star. Although she’s become a celebrity on the island, she’s still unprotected from the dangers of the stirring revolution and how this society treats its colored citizens. But through every trial and tribulation Minette emerges as a dazzling heroine. She fights as hard as she loves. Chauvet’s pen is masterfully woeful, light-hearted, tragic, and romantic. Her vivid depictions of Haiti’s verdant fertility and Caribbean air makes for a true island escape.

Somebody get Shonda Rhimes on the phone! We don’t need Bridgerton. We need Dance on the Volcano.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love translated fiction. We do ourselves a disservice when we fail to broaden our literature horizons and include points of view from around the world. If I had the time I would do an "around the world" read, and I do try to sample from various parts of the globe. Since books from the Caribbean are difficult to come by, I jumped at the chance to read Dance on the Volcano, and I'm so glad I did.

The story takes place in late 18th century Haiti, just before and during the French Revolution. At the core of the novel is Minette, a young mulatto daughter of a freed slave. Minette has an incredible voice and is soon added to the local opera despite the fact that blacks are not generally allowed to act in the main theater. As she matures, Minette is increasingly aware of the injustices surrounding her and the suffering of her race. But the story isn't really about Minette. Yes, she's the star and the central figure, but the backdrop of 1780s Haiti (or Saint-Domingue, as it was known at the time), slavery, and race relations are the primary focus. Throughout the course of the book, the slaves and freedmen/freedwomen of the French colony struggle against their masters and White counterparts, culminating in the Haitian Revolution.

Dance on the Volcano is not an easy read by any means. There were moments when I had to lay the book down and take a breath. The author pulls no punches in describing the treatment of slaves during the time period. At times I felt myself detach from the emotion of the book as the writing/translation allows for a certain objectivity, and honestly I was never fully emotionally invested in the main character but more with those surrounding her. Minette struck me as ridiculously naive - even as she became more worldly - perhaps as a reflection of the time period. There were aspects of the story that felt a bit anachronistic, but given my general lack of knowledge of Caribbean history, I'm likely wrong on that account.

What I find most rewarding about reading translated fiction is that it makes me yearn to know more about the culture and time-periods of the stories and their authors. I'm ashamed to say that my knowledge of the French Revolution is poor, and I had to do a bit of sleuthing to understand the timeline of events. I did a lot of Wikipedia searching while reading Dance on the Volcano, and I'm anxious to add more Haitian authors to my reading list. For anyone who is interested in Caribbean or French history, or if you just enjoy historical fiction in general, this is a must read.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley.

[Carrie Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely interesting because I knew nothing of the Haitian revolution. I love the story's heroine. I fell in love with her courage and passionate quest to show the world her true self, even if the world she was born into defied her at every turn. I do wish she had cried a little less, but given the horrific things she witnessed, I suppose it's warranted. All-and-all a truly classic piece of historical fiction I would highly recommend.

[Emily Durka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dance on the Volcano is a haunting exploration of race, class, and sex before and during the Haitian revolution. The characters are at once their best and their worst selves while navigating the equal bloodshed and tumult of a colonial society to that of a slave-less society. I enjoyed it very much.

[Michael C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Haitian struggle for independence and the abolishment of slavery.

[Doctor Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always had an interest in the Haitian Revolution, as the only slave rebellion to have produced a free state ruled by former slaves and free non-whites. Marie Vieux-Chauvet’s novel gives a different perspective than that of the history books, following one character’s experience of pre-revolutionary Saint-Domingue and the beginning days of the revolution itself.

The principal characters and events are real — Vieux-Chauvet wove her research, focused on that one character, Minette, a “free person of color”, into an historical novel.

The book begins in the years leading up to the revolution in late eighteenth century Saint-Domingue, to become free Haiti. Minette is a young girl, living with her sister Lise, and her mother Jasmine, who sells scarves and other items on the street in Port-au-Prince.

Minette is gifted with a magnificent singing voice. Once trained by a benefactor, the white Creole actress Mme Acquaire, Minette experiences a much broader spectrum of life than someone of her class in colonial Saint-Domingue would normally experience. She performs at the Comédie of Port-au-Prince, despite a ban on non-white performers. The public’s appreciation and admiration is so great that even the most ardent opponents of rights for non-whites are compelled to allow her exception.

Living the life of a young girl in Port-au-Prince, in the small world of her family and friends, conditions could just be what they were. But as she takes on a role as a performer for the privileged classes of planters and slaveowners, she sees more. She sees within the households of white planters how slaves are routinely tortured, how freedmen (and women) are regarded as less than human. And she sees, in her own case, how her talents will get her only so far — she becomes, at best, a privileged member of an unprivileged class. She can sing for the privileged classes but she is being granted an exception for her talent only, not for herself. She learns the word “injustice”.

Minette also falls in love with a person who wraps up what may be inevitable contradictions in pre-revolutionary Haitian society. Jean-Baptiste Lapointe is a free, slave-holding black man. He fights against the wealthy white planters, in tenuous alliance with a group of rebels who help both the free but oppressed and the enslaved. But he abuses his own slaves and treats them with utter disrespect, reveling in his own position of power and privilege. Minette’s turn toward rebellion is also a turn against her lover’s character, if not completely against himself.

Minette, Lapointe, and many other characters in the book are true, historical figures from revolutionary Haiti (as are the events depicted in the novel drawn from real historical events). Vieux-Chauvet arrays the characters in such a way as to portray a spectrum of virtues and vices — unrebellious mulatto women doing their best to thrive and survive in a world where they have no power, dedicated warriors who risk everything, sympathetic whites who do what they can, . . . I’m not in any position to judge how accurate the personal portrayals are — I suspect they are almost certainly cleaned up to create a dramatic and edifying novel.

The book was originally written in 1957 but is only now translated into English. Vieux-Chauvet’s writing is dramatic in tone, even over the top (even given its subject matter) at times, kind of the way that acting in silent movies is over the top, as if straining a bit to convey and emphasize emotion and meaning. But this was one of those books I read more compulsively the farther I got into it.

Obviously, I wouldn’t substitute a novel for history. In fact, reading Vieux-Chauvet inspired me to look at some of the same research she presumably relied upon (see Jean Fouchard’s historical writing), as well as other sources (see the more recent Avengers of the New World by Laurent Dubois). I’d also recommend Yanick Lahens’ novel of Duvalier-era Haiti, Moonbath, for a portrayal of modern village Haiti.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der “Tanz auf dem Vulkan” erzählt die Vorgeschichte der haitianischen Revolution zum Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts anhand der persönlichen Geschichte von Minette und den Menschen um sie herum. Minette, eine “affranchie” ist die Tochter einer freigelassenen Sklavin und in Freiheit geboren. Durch ihr besonderes Gesangs- und Bühnentalent schafft sie es als erste nicht-weiße Darstellerin auf die Bühne des Theaterhauses des Pulverfasses Port-au-Prince.

Die Protagonist:innen lebten tatsächlich und wie im Nachwort angemerkt sind auch die Lebensgeschichten sowie viele der erzählten Anekdoten im Theater echt und belegt.

Marie Vieux-Chauvet gilt als eine der wichtigen Autor:innen Haitis und als eine der ersten Kunstschaffenden Haitis, die die Zeit der Vor-Revolution und darüber hinaus durch eine derart intersektionelle Brille (Hautfarbe, Ethnie, Geschlecht, Sexualität, gesellschaftlicher Stand) beleuchtet. Sie nutzt den Hintergrund der historischen Fakten (und man lernt sehr viel)- tatsächlich stehen im Fokus allerdings einzelne persönliche Erfahrungen. Es geht um die Frauen der Zeit, ihre spezifischen Erlebnisse, individuellen Kämpfe und Lebensrealitäten. Während im Hintergrund die “großen Männer” wie üblich die politischen Gemenge steuern, morden, brandschatzen, vergewaltigen, Dekrete aussprechen, Konkordate brechen und die “Heldentaten” vollbringen, beleuchtet ihr Roman all die Leben mit all den großen und kleinen Momenten und all den so essenziellen Beiträgen der Frauen, all jenes, was in den Geschichtsbüchern und Archiven nicht zu finden ist.
Neben diesem Einblick schafft es Vieux-Chauvet auf eindringliche Weise abzubilden, wie heterogen, widersprüchlich und oftmals inkohärent auch die Gruppe der “gens de couleur” (people of colour) zu der Zeit agierte und war: Es gab Sklav:innen, freigelassene Sklav:innen, deren Nachkommen (in Freiheit geboren), wohlhabende people of colour, die selbst Sklav:innen hielten und sich mit den weißen Plantagenbesitzern verbrüderten - gleichzeitig aber nicht die gleichen Rechte wie jene genossen. Es gab Affranchies, die Sklav:innen ausnutzen, um ihre Kriege zu unterstützen und sie nach dem Sieg an “den weißen Mann” verraten. Es gab Affranchies, die ihr freies Leben riskierten, um Sklav:innen zu befreien und zu schützen. Gleichzeitig gab es neben den weißen “Pflanzern” auch mittellose weiße. Es gab auf beiden Seiten jene, die die Unabhängigkeit und jene, die weiterhin zu Frankreich gehören wollten (auch hier wechselten die Beweggründe oftmals im Verlauf der Zeit und waren nicht selten rein opportunistischer, eigennütziger Natur). Dazu kommen natürlich weitere Dimensionen wie Geschlecht, Sexualität und Stand. Vieux-Chauvet erschafft so eine ehrliche und realistische Ambivalenz und malt ein Bild der fatalen Widersprüche und Feindseligkeiten, die noch heute Haiti in ihren Klauen hält.

Vieux-Chauvet ist leider bereits gestorben (1973 im Exil in den USA), hinterlassen hat sie der Welt fünf Romane und 2 Theaterstücke, die nun nach und nach ins Deutsche übersetzt werden. Dieses Buch erhielt ich von meiner lieben Mama zu Weihnachten. Es ist etwas ganz besonderes und ich habe sehr viel gelernt und entdeckt. Gerne möchte ich mehr von Vieux-Chauvet und auch zeitgenösserische Literatur aus Haiti lesen.

Abseits der inhaltlichen Brillianz gefiel mir sehr, dass das Buch selbst etwas von einem Theaterstück hatte, mit vielen Protagonist:innen und Handlungsorten. Ab und an war es auch geschrieben wie ein Theaterstück mit Regieanweisungen. (“Madame Acquire stürmte herein.”)

Das einzige, was meinen Lesefluss teilweise etwas behinderte, war die Verortung der Fußnoten ganz am Ende des Buches. Es gibt knapp 200 Stück, die zusätzliche Informationen zu den Personen und der Zeit zur Verfügung stellen und ich liebe so etwas. Durch die Organisation im Buch war ich dann viel mit vor- und zurück blättern befasst und hätte es lieber gemocht, wenn alle Fußnoten direkt unten in der jeweiligen Seite zu finden wären (wie in Babel z.B.).

Eine ABSOLUTE LESEEMPFEHLUNG.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Haitian Revolution is mentioned in passing in James Baldwin's THE GOOD LORD BIRD, so when the group of friends I buddy-read that one with wanted to choose another book, I suggested something about the subject. I knew nothing about it, and Marie Vieux-Chauvet's 1957 novel DANCE ON THE VOLCANO came up in a number of online lists. No lie, this one was a struggle for me. Set in 1770's Haiti, it follows the rise of young Minette, a talented mixed-race singer who is eventually able to perform on stage, despite prohibitions on people of color being honored in such a way. She is constantly exploited, has to fight for payment, and her path is set against rising turmoil and anger at the treatment of slaves and free people of color in Haiti. The story culminates in the telling of the rebellion against French colonial rule and the ending of slavery in Haiti, but it takes a long time to get there!
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The novel reads like it should be a colorful musical, with swirling skirts and passionate songs - I kept visualizing LES MISERABLES! There are too many people and events and violent episodes to keep track of, so I skimmed a lot, but when it finally gets to the fighting at the end I was riveted, too bad the last third of the book is told in a racing rush. I wish she had summarized the first two thirds into like 3 chapters and then focused on the critical moments of the revolution. I also grappled with the translation, and never quite caught on to the tone. In the end, didn't love it, but glad I read it. Two stars.
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I do want to read more about Haiti, so I have Edwidge Dandicat's EVERYTHING INSIDE on my list - has anyone read it?
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Format: Kindle, owned
Read for:
2020 Reading Women Challenge Prompt 10 - About a woman artist
2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Prompt 13 - A book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it (Evidently "Dance on the Volcano" is also the title of a 1920 German silent film featuring Bela Lugosi, thanks, internet!)

[Biblibio · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know those books that as you're reading (and appreciating) them, you start to think that actually, this book might just make a better movie than book? That's a little bit how I felt with Marie Vieux-Chauvet's generally great, occasionally frustrating Dance on the Volcano. The book feels like it has so many different plot points (some distinctly better than others), with an underlying visual quality that made me feel like this would perfectly translate into an amazing period drama (Hollywood, hit me up).

Dance on the Volcano tells the story of Minette, a young Haitian woman with a beautiful singing voice who becomes the first "colored" woman to perform in the higher circles of Haitian society. The story directly addresses racism, class differences, colorism, slavery, and more, with the plot covering a period of great unrest in Haitian history. Yet it does all of these explicitly through Minette's eyes, who grows and matures over the course of the story and begins to form her own opinions about the tragedies occurring in her home. It's an often-powerful text, occasionally bogged down by odd stylistic choices (phrases alternating between being very modern and very old-fashioned) and some overplotting (with one subplot that I mostly understood the intellectual merit of, but hated on a personal level).

This is a story of a history that I imagine most readers were as unfamiliar with as I was - not simply Haitian history, but Haitian culture and culture clashes. Dance on the Volcano is sure to be as interesting an introduction to you as it was to me.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially picked this novel up on a volcanology stint. It is not about that, but something else. I do not know very much about the 18th-century, when this novel is set. My expertise is the 19th-century. However, I find it useful to look at something that is supposed to be set just beforehand.

Minette is the name of the MC. This novel describes characters' bewilderment at the weather, then at the end it has an A/N that it is based on historic documents.

I think my mother would have liked it better than I did, but she is no longer around to recommend it to, so I will recommend it to one of you instead. She was obsessed with all kinds of history. (Also, my middle name is Marie too, just like the author's given name.)
The other reason I thought my mother would have liked it is that Minette is a singer like all the people with whom she had worked. I had described to my other friend the various vocal ranges of singers that my mother had described to me and had wondered at that point what Minette's was...

As far as I know, Haiti is much warmer than I'm used to in suburbia US. I have only once been invited to travel somewhere of maybe equivalent weather, but I don't know for sure. My travels have been limited as of yet.

So, since my middle name is this author's given name, I decided I liked it.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to take a break from nonfiction/craft study books, I found this at a local bookstore, who has a large inventory of books in translation. The story is fiction, but has "real" people in the book. It's sort of a history period story in 18th Century Haiti, leading up to the rebellion. It's a great study into the lives of "freed people" - "enslaved people" - the white oppressor, all living under one room. The dynamics between the freed and enslave people; their everyday lives that differ and the commonality of being people of color (no matter how light one may have been). It is a story of a family of freed (?) mother and her two daughters. One Minette who has a voice of an angel and wants to sing in the local opera house (for whites only). This is her story from only thinking of her career, to becoming more aware of the racial discrimination and the horrorific treatment of the Haitian people. She meets people who have own agenda when it comes to her talents as a singer and as a much desired woman. Let's say it is not all good/bad/then the good wins at the end. The book is 492 pages, I read Friday-Monday because it was so good and thrilling and action.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in recent translation by Kaiama Glover. Set in the last decade of the 1700's in the early and mid years of the Haitian revolution and based on real historical persons and events of the period. Recommended for its accurate historical descriptions of the time and exploration of the attitudes and lifestyle of freedmen, mulattos and "small whites" of the era. Highly romantic in style which i found a bit off-putting, but consistent with the original author. I am not sure it would appeal to anyone unfamiliar with the detailed history of the Haitian revolution.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Nice short chapters so took my time and just read a chapter at a time. This helped in getting the characters sorted.
The main character Minette is so cleatly portrayed her talent as an exceptional singer whise admirers unite the many social divisions in 18th century Haiti. But her inner thoughts describe her takent for understanding political injustice.

This exceptionally takented singer is set in accurate historical time.
So not for readers wanting or expecting a fairy book ending.
The story is beautifully and accurately described.
Sad to read this at a time when Haiti is still having social and political unrest.
Reviews suggest the book. is on par with War and Peace and I agree!

[John Gileadi]

This is so GREAT.. I new Marie Chauvet and her husband Pierre and her children. Mostly Bobby and Regina, the oldest daughter I can't remember. My father was in business with Pierre in the hotel Villa Creole. Also when Haiti became independent and her books to the attention of the government Marie and her son came to live with us in Miami. I sure do mis them. There were the best. Still to this day I remember all the times together. I am now 77 years old and great memories or those days.

[Pete Wassell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic and sweeping. Full of injustice and beauty. Chauvet paints a powerful emotional picture of Saint-Domingue in the years leading up to the Haitian Revolution. Read it in tandem with David Garrigus’s history of the period, ‘’Before Haiti: Race and Citizenship in Fench Saint-Domingue.’’ Truly an incredible reading experience.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked learning the history and it made me want to read more about the slave revolution in Haiti. The story was good too, but it just seemed to drift a bit, especially in how the end wasn't really climactic. One character hates both sides and the main one loves both sides, illogically.

[Madison Trice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is utterly beautiful and informative. Prose like poetry with really remarkably developed characters and an approach to a time period and place I knew next to nothing about with such delicacy. But the ending was heartbreaking. Devastating. Why would she end it like that? Ah...

[Joanne]

Started this book and really enjoyed the first 150 pages, but got bogged down by the time I was about 1/2 way through. Although I wanted to know what happened to the main character, it was simply too slow to keep reading through to 500 pages, and I gave up.