Marie Laveau

by Francine Prose

A legenda4ry voodoo queen whose magic ruled old New Orleans

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Spirituality, Literature

374 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1977

About the author

Francine Prose is the author of twenty works of fiction. Her novel A Changed Man won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and Blue Angel was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent works of nonfiction include the highly acclaimed Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, and the New York Times bestseller Reading Like a Writer. The recipient of numerous grants and honors, including a Guggenheim and a Fulbright, a Director's Fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library, Prose is a former president of PEN American Center, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her most recent book is Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Chaynyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. It wasn't in print for very long and copies are sometimes hard to come by, but it's worth tracking down, I think. Francine Prose takes some serious liberties (I believe) with the real Marie Laveau's life, but the novel is complex and engaging enough that I've simply filed it as "fiction, don't cite" in my mind.

This is definitely adult-read only, though. The first time I tried to read it, I was 10 and I came across the three page, actually critical to the plot, very graphic sex scene and turned a rather interesting shade of red. *wry* So, not a book for the squeemish or prudish.

Lovely mix of history, voodoo, magic, Catholic belief and prayer, and conflicts of personalities. This book is a staple of my comfort shelf, but it's probably not a novel for everyone.

[Marissa Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOW TO READ FOR FREE:
I understand this book is expensive, I came across this lovely website that allows you read this book for free :) I hope you enjoy

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL48952...

[Beth Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in a used bookstore this past spring. I was drawn by the cover art and the fact that I'd just bought a Kindle book by an author with the same name. I'd assumed the Kindle book was the author's debut. I was wrong. In the bookstore, I pulled out my phone and did a quick check, as I always do before buying any book. First glance told me this slightly battered paperback copy is out of print and not available on Kindle. Second glance told me the same paperback is selling for over $300 on Amazon.

It was just stuck on a pile of books in a dusty old used bookstore, no jewel in the rough, I just liked the looks of its cover and had never read anything about Marie Laveau.

So, I took it up to the register to see what it would cost. Guy says, "Five dollars."

I took my 45-year-old copy out of that store so fast all the other books spun on their shelves, I'm sure. The power of Marie Laveau, indeed. And now she will live on my shelves till I'm gone and my kids can decide what to do with her. As I write this review, Abebooks has a copy listed at $708.

In all reality, this was a decent tale. You can't really call it Historical Fiction, as the only things I imagine are accurate would be the rough timeline and the name, Marie Laveau. Historical Fantasy, sure. It's mildly salacious at a few points, but nothing you would call the Moral Police over. Ditto the voodoo. I can't even describe this as "occult fiction". My guess is that was where it was slotted in the Horror Heyday of the late 70s and 80s, when so many of these garish paperbacks were readily available.

What I can say, as both a reader and a book lover: if you see this one out there in the wild, pick it up. You won't regret it.

[Veronica Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother had this book as a teen and then when I became a teen I read it and absolutely fell in love with it just like she did. She passed away in 08 and that same year someone stole it from me. I haven't been able to get it back or even find a copy that isn't $700+. I wish to God they would make it digital or even turn it into an Audio book. I wonder what would have to be done for that to happen.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this now out-of-print book as a teenager seeking affirmation of the magic in her every day existence. This book certainly provided it. Marie Laveau was the celebrated/reviled quadroon voodoo priestess who ruled New Orleans' 19th century backstreets. Her psychedelic visions, passionate joie de vivre, and desire for power make her a feminine icon.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was interesting, and built up good momentum. Very imaginative and clever descriptions throughout. The story and structure is meandering and bloated. Hated the ending. Just about every character aside from Marie is very surface level.

[Rebecca Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much I read it to pieces over the years. This is a book that should be reprinted because the used prices are approaching the rare book prices.

[Mars444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!!

[Tamara Mataya]

It's been QUITE a few years since I read this book, but it's come with me over the years through quite a few moves, and it is still on my shelf for a reason. I re-read this one numerous times and remember loving it a lot. (Sometimes I hesitate to re-read old favourites in case they don't hold up to the memories).

Prose has written some YAs, and regardless of category or genre, she's an author whose work I'll definitely be picking up again, if only to see if my 5 star memories hold up!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by Francine Prose, and I loved it! I read it once in the '80s, once in the 90's, and I'm ready to read it again. The best fictional account of New Orleans Voodoo queen Marie Laveau that I've read, and I've read several.

[Louise Carlson Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging book. Out of all the books that I have read so far on Marie Laveau, as a novel, I enjoyed this one the most.

The characters are very clear cut. The action starts from the beginning of the book and carries well all the way to the end. I loved it.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining novel about the famed voodoo queen of New Orleans

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. It characters have peopled my dreams and phrases and scenes have ducked in and out of my head since I read it many years ago.

[Garret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read in a long, long time...you know, the kind where you start reading slower as you near the end so it won't be over so soon.

[Lynetta Simington]

LOVED IT!

One of her first novels. It had me gripped beginning to end.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember devouring this book, the second I'd read by Francine Prose. The setting and plot came alive for me.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book years ago and just remember really enjoying this fictional accounting of her life. i'd love to find it again and re-read it.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.
Not very educational but a fun and fast read.

[Karen Principio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great combination of history and fiction. Great read.