The Watch Woman of Calvary Hill

Following Trouillot’s earlier novels, Kannjawou and Antoine of Gommiers, each of which gave voices to a variety of dispossessed characters out of Haitian life and lore, The Old Woman of Calvary Hill completes the trilogy with this magical realism narrative as told by the “old woman” of the title, a spiritual embodiment of the hill itself, — once a gathering spot for women and children to play, dance and love— who has witnessed its centuries-long exploitation, degradation and destruction. We learn of the original colonial owners of the land, Des Merables, and their debauchery and cruelty over the decades and the centuries-long battles that the old woman has waged to save this sacred place. With compassion and fire,  The Old Woman of Calvary Hill  gives voice to the women of Haiti, the true guardians of their country.

Book Topics

Haiti

Contemporary Haitian literature

Lyonel Trouillot

Haitian history

Port au Prince

Calvaire

Colonial rule of Haiti under the British

Colonial rule of Haiti under the French

Haitian spirituality and religious beliefs

Kannjawou

Antoine of Gommiers.