Psyche

by Herbert G. de Lisser

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the days before the internet one had to travel to buy written works from other cultures. I once wrote to the Department of Tourism on Nevis to find the locations of any book stores and was led to Walls Deluxe Records and Books. Psyche by H.G. de Lisser comes from that expensive little stash.

Psyche is a multigenerational saga set on the north coast of Jamaica in the time leading up to the abolishment of slavery on the island, as decreed by Britain.

A priestess in her village, a seventeen year old arrives on a slave trader from west Africa and is immediately purchased by an Englishman who has consistently lived his own life style and not the one typical of plantation owners. He’s kept to himself, abstaining from strong drink and he remains celibate and not taking a ‘housekeeper’ as many land owners kept colored mistresses. As a younger son he realizes he doesn’t really own the Hope Vale Estate and points this out to Psyche as she immediately undertakes to assume the high position she believes is hers, as Mr. Hutchinson had paid such a high price for her and she is young and beautiful. Not three days after her arrival, she assumes the duties of butler, bringing the master his pre dinner coffee, then serves him wine and that’s all it took for his defenses and cautions and slight air of nobility to be thrown to the wind. Psyche, still somewhat inexperienced, parades her accomplishment in front of the other slaves, drawing animosity from some as well as from the white wife of the head overseer. She encounters a rival for her master’s affections and through this twist regains the respect of other slaves.

Fate intervenes seven years later when Mr. Hutchinson’s brother, the legal heir to Hope Vale dies without offspring and he is forced to return to England. Psyche insists he take their child in hopes their daughter will grow up ignorant of her heritage as she is very light skinned and indeed this happens. Young Psyche is raised as a great lady with the benefits of the best schools and acquires the title Baroness through a short-lived marriage. That she is extremely wealthy goes without saying.

She returns to Jamaica on her father’s death to see the property she now owns. The locals, both slaves and those of the island ‘aristocracy’ are aware of her background and keep a distance but being unusually astute, the no-longer child fits the pieces of her parentage together yet allows the elder Psyche her privacy. She does meet what for Jamaica is a gentleman, who at home would be somewhat a rag-tag younger son without prospects and Frederick O’Brian does prove to be a bit of a drinker and a bit of a weakling.

Bouncing between the personal and political, Psyche, knowing that freedom is on the verge, works clandestinely to insure Jamaican slaves of the area are ready for what is to come, inciting unrest. Her ‘nurse’ the elder Psyche, who had been freed upon bearing her child and who keeps slaves of her own on a neighboring property, and who has co-managed Hope Vale all these years for her daughter does not approve.

The tale comes full circle via the unexpected intervention of an older gentleman who had loved a black woman and cared for their children for years and is therefore a bit immune from the social stigmas of the island. The political and personal merge and the elder Psyche’s tale spirals to its conclusion.

I found Psyche to be adequate. I tend to prefer stronger dialects and patois from native speakers and more views into their sometimes secret lives and rituals. Indeed, from the cover art and first few pages I was expecting more of a vaudun aspect to the tale than was provided. Characters could feel a bit flat and unsurprising and the plot becomes a bit predictable. Side stories were too vague for my taste and acceptances and attitudes changed much too quickly for me but the journey the author took me on was enough and over all I enjoyed the 200 year old tale.

[Novia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always had this thought. What if during the times of slavery, a slave master fell in love and had a relationship with a slave? So said so done. This story follows the journey of a young, beautiful slave girl fresh off the boat from Africa. It follows her journey and her relationships with her slave master and during the 19th century in Jamaica when tensions are high between the slave masters and England and the emancipation of slaves.

[Anna Mullings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book transported me on the jamaican planation.
It was written like a classical and I love it