We could argue systematic racism and the lack of African Americans and the Diaspora of history taught in our school or made available all day. We could also thank authors like Vanessa Riley, Vanessa Miller, and Parker J Cole for bringing historical characters of color to life. These were my thoughts as I began reading Queen of Exiles penned by Vanessa Riley. This accurate historical fiction novel is the story of the King of Haiti and his queen. The story is a fictional representation of real and true events that happened to and during the lifetime of actual people. The nerd in me enjoyed my slide down the historical rabbit hole as I looked up the places, paintings, and people mentioned in the book. Since the beginning of the story, I have been living to tell someone about this book. Queen of Exile is perfect to add to your black history reading and your March TBR for Women’s History Month in March
My thoughts about Queen of Exiles
Although I am an honest-to-goodness let’s go to the library instead of a popular hangout spot nerd, this is my first historical fiction read. I must say my next read has high expectations to live up to after reading Queen of Exiles. Beyond the historical accuracy (remember my rabbit hole) the book is well written. I found myself there walking with Marie-Louise Christophe, fretting with her and standing in admiration as her story unfolded. I drew strength from dedication and understood the Godliness of her choices. This book opened my mind and my heart. Again I could talk all day about the lack of representation and need for stories like this one to be mandatory reading for our young and old. However, I will celebrate instead of complain and challenge you to share this blog and amazing book with at least three people.
Queen of Exiles according to Amazon
The Queen of Exiles is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.
In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indifference from former allies in Britain and the new United States. Louise desperately tries to steer the country’s political course as King Henry descends into a mire of mental illness.
In 1820, King Henry is overthrown and dies by his own hand. Louise and her daughters manage to flee to Europe with their smuggled jewels. In exile, the resilient Louise redefines her role, recovering the fortune that Henry had lost and establishing herself as an equal to the kings of European nations. With newspapers and gossip tracking their every movement, Louise and her daughters tour Europe like other royals, complete with glittering balls and princes with marriage proposals. As they find their footing—and acceptance—they discover more about themselves, their Blackness, and the opportunities they can grasp in a European and male-dominated world.
Queen of Exiles is the tale of a remarkable Black woman of history—a canny and bold survivor who chooses the fire and ideals of political struggle and then is forced to rebuild her life on her own terms, forever a queen.
Queen of Exiles availability
This book is available where books are sold including independent books stores. Queen of Exiles can be purchased in hardback, paperback, Kindle, and other eReaders. The book is also available in audio. Again I challenge you to not only pick up a copy you are sure to love but also share this blog post and book title with three people.
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Are you in the mood for a quick read?
Sometimes we want to read a good story but we only have a short amount of free time. That is one of the reasons I wrote the Living a Blessed Lie series. This 90-minute read is a perfect read for your lunch break or kids’ football practice.
They say they are Living their Blessed Life but someone is LIVING A BLESSED LIE.
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