Beyond the Horizon

by Robert Grandcourt

Inspired by true events, Robert Grandcourt weaves a tale of shipwrecks, kidnappings, love, heroism, tragedy and injustice among the palms of the Seychelles. Set in the tumultuous years following the French Revolution and stretching through the first half of the Nineteenth century, Beyond the Horizon tells the story of Yaya the slave, Alfred her son and his clandestine lover Geneviève Brisard, the idealist daughter of a slaver captain. A tale of determination, hope and triumph against all the odds, the book is a courageous account of events that have resonated down the generations and done much to shape the present character of these idyllic islands.

Genres: Seychelles

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2017

Reviews

[Carole Wai Hai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the use of a generational story, much like in Homegoing or One Hundred Years of Solitude. This version is shorter but equally powerful and traumatic. It’s a tale of immigration and how each generation experiences such different cultures and opportunities. It explores what it takes for former slaves to escape poverty even after being granted freedom, as well as the dehumanizing effects of racism—how it can twist people who might otherwise be good husbands and fathers.
I also learned about Britain’s early role in the abolition of slavery. Great Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807 and gradually abolished slavery itself through the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, achieving full emancipation in its territories by 1838. France, meanwhile, abolished slavery in 1794, only for Napoleon to reinstate it in 1802 before its final abolition in 1848.

I picked up this book to gain some historical background on the Seychelles, and I was very satisfied with what I found. The interracial love story felt a bit naive, but it served a meaningful purpose: it allowed the narrative to explore history from the perspectives of both the descendants of slaves and the descendants of colonizers.

I especially loved the vivid descriptions of the Seychelles landscape—the boulders, the wildlife, the ocean—all of which transported me back to the islands. My only wish was to follow the last character through to the end of his life.

[Doug Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at a local bookstore while visiting the Seychelles in 2018 and finally got around to reading it this past week. It's a shame it hasn't found its way into more reader's collections here on Goodreads.

The story is told over the course of seventy-plus years, first through the eyes of a young girl taken into slavery from her home in East Africa and brought to the Seychelles, then through those of her mixed-race son (conceived via rape) and the young idealistic daughter of the Frenchman, Kaptenn Brisard who he falls in love with. The book is an unvarnished historical fiction concerning the role slavery played in the development of the Seychelles. It's also an adventurous seafaring story with a gorgeous love story wrapped around a reason for hope in future generations.

The time skips were a bit jarring at times, and there were several subplots I would have liked to have seen further developed, but a book of this scope has to tighten somewhere, and by and large the author's instincts guided him true. It's not a lighthearted read -- nor should a book concerning slavery ever be comfortable -- but it taught me a lot about this most beautiful island chain I hope to return to. And I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a non-American story involving slavery and the role one strong-willed person can play in combating prejudice and racism.

[Daniella Uzice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the horizon

Excellent book, thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Felt as if I was there on the islands too.
Great information as our own ancestors suffered the same fate.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong start, as one of the main characters is kidnapped and sold into slavery in a tense and traumatic scene. Once the action moves to the Seychelles the pace drops a little. Grandcourt is juggling many balls here: romance, historical drama, action, anti-slavery polemic, and mostly manages the balance very well. The research is impressive and you get a real feel for both the location and the clashing cultures involved. It does drag a little in the middle and I had to push through it sometimes, but the ending is optimistic.

[Emelie Sannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book it is so good! The feels though! 😢😍