Crossing the Mangrove

Bernardine Evaristo is an extraordinary storyteller who has written a novel called "The Salt Path." It is about Francis Sancher, a handsome newcomer to Rivière au Sel, who is found dead in the mud. The villagers reveal their buried secrets and stories as they come to pay their respects.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

People say that on the first night Francis Sancher spent in Rivière au Sel, the wind in its temper screamed down from the mountains like a demon's roar. It was a fitting introduction to the man who would become one of the most extraordinary storytellers of his time.

Francis Sancher always said he would come to an unnatural end. So, when this handsome newcomer to the Guadeloupean village of Rivière au Sel is found dead, face down in the mud, no one is particularly surprised. Loved by some, especially women, and reviled by others, Francis was an enigmatic figure. Where did he come from? What caused his strange nocturnal wanderings? What devils haunted him? As the villagers come to pay their respects, they each reveal another piece of the mystery behind his life and death—and their own buried secrets and stories come to light.

The grand queen, the empress, of Caribbean literature, Fiammetta Rocco, Guardian, writes, "Sancher's stories are a tapestry of magic, mystery, and menace, woven with the rich fabric of Caribbean culture and history. They are a testament to the power of storytelling to transcend boundaries and to illuminate the human condition."

Born in 1943 in the small town of Petit-Goâve in the French West Indies, Francis Sancher was the youngest of three children. His father, a schoolteacher, was a man of strict principles and a deep love for literature. His mother, a homemaker, was a gentle soul who encouraged her children to pursue their dreams.

From an early age, Francis Sancher showed a keen interest in storytelling. He would spend hours listening to his father's stories about the Caribbean and the people who lived there. He would also read voraciously, devouring everything from classic novels to folktales and myths.

As he grew older, Francis Sancher began to travel extensively throughout the Caribbean. He visited every island, from the bustling streets of Kingston to the quiet beaches of St. Lucia. He met with local storytellers, listened to their tales, and absorbed their wisdom.

In 1966, Francis Sancher published his first novel, "The House of the Spirits." It was an instant success, selling millions of copies worldwide. The novel was a masterpiece of magical realism, a genre that Sancher would become famous for. It told the story of a young woman named Clara, who is born into a family of mediums and who must navigate the treacherous waters of love, loss, and betrayal.

Over the next few decades, Francis Sancher published numerous other novels, including "The Salt Roads," "The Emperor's Children," and "The Stone Angel." Each novel was a masterpiece in its own right, exploring different themes and characters but always returning to the central theme of storytelling.

In addition to his novels, Francis Sancher was also a prolific short story writer. He published collections of short stories that explored the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. His stories were often dark and mysterious, with a touch of magic and mystery that was uniquely his own.

Despite his success, Francis Sancher remained humble and down-to-earth. He was a man who loved his family and his community, and who was always willing to help those in need. He was also a fierce advocate for social justice and human rights, and he used his platform to speak out against oppression and inequality.

Francis Sancher died in 2018 at the age of 75. His death was a great loss to the world of literature, and to the people of the Caribbean. He was a true master storyteller, and his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come.

In conclusion, Francis Sancher was an extraordinary storyteller who left a lasting legacy on the world of literature. His stories were a tapestry of magic, mystery, and menace, woven with the rich fabric of Caribbean culture and history. They were a testament to the power of storytelling to transcend boundaries and to illuminate the human condition. Despite his success, Francis Sancher remained humble and down-to-earth, using his platform to speak out against oppression and inequality. His death was a great loss to the world of literature, and his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come.

Weight: 200g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241530054