Moonbath, a novel that won the 2014 Prix Femina and the 2015 French Voices Award, unfolds in Haiti from the 1980s to the present day. The story follows multiple generations of a family in a Haitian village, delving into the cyclical nature of the country’s history rather than focusing on specific political or historical events. Author Yanick Lahens, who has spent much of her life in Haiti teaching literature and working for the Ministry of Culture, currently cohosts a radio show on a prominent Haitian station and is a key figure in Francophone culture.
The matriarch of the family at the core of the novel is Olmène, portrayed in her youth as a peasant girl who captures the attention of the charismatic Tertulien Mésidor. Tertulien, an outsider in his fifties known as a don, arrives in the town on his horse. His immediate and intense desire for Olmène sets the stage for her subsequent passionate relationship with a man her own age, who shares similar social and financial status as her first lover. Through this encounter, Olmène realizes the legacy that will stem from their union. The names of Olmène’s descendants carry symbolic meanings reflecting the novel’s exploration of tradition and mythology. Names like Dieudonné, meaning “given by God,” and Cétoute, signifying “that’s all,” underscore the narrative’s thematic depth.
The theme of societal divisions between the privileged and the disadvantaged, as seen in Olmène’s relationships, recurs throughout Moonbath. This dichotomy is not only evident among Haitians but also in the interactions between Haiti and the outside world. Influential figures like Tertulien, portrayed as “sellers of miracles,” offer promises of a brighter future in contrast to Haiti’s prevalent poverty. In a mesmerizing scene led by a foreigner named Orvil, the sense of collective identity is vividly portrayed:
The crowd transformed into a unified entity, moving in synchrony, guided by the rhythmic beats of the tambour assòtòr. Their shared experiences and emotions intertwine, creating a moment where earthly concerns seem to fade away, replaced by a divine light illuminating their existence.
The enduring allure of figures like Tertulien and the communal solidarity depicted in moments like the rally underscore the collective voice that resonates throughout the novel, narrated predominantly in the first person plural, representing the island’s communal consciousness.
In both style and substance, Moonbath draws parallels to the works of Gabriel García Márquez. Lahans, like Márquez, prioritizes the fluidity of time and its impact on characters over individual intricacies. The use of the inclusive “we” perspective offers a panoramic view of time’s relentless motion, subtly revealing the passage of history. Lahens’ understated prose reflects a profound sense of temporality and continuity:
Characters briefly recount fifteen years of life changes — births, deaths, migrations. Despite personal upheavals, the cycle of existence perseveres, manifesting in the resilience of life and nature. This sense of continuity, amidst recurrent trials and triumphs, highlights life’s ever-giving nature.
The novel’s closing chapter, narrated by Cétoute, encapsulates this theme of eternal renewal and interconnectedness. By envisioning her own death and rebirth, Cétoute symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the enduring ties that bind generations. She embodies a balance between past, present, and future, resonating with diverse influences and spiritual realms, offering a poignant reflection on mortality and transcendence.
Cétoute’s narrative echoes the overarching message of the novel, emphasizing a humble acceptance of Haiti’s complexities and imperfections as part of its enduring essence. Lahens’ portrayal of Haiti resounds with a melodic cadence, eschewing despair and resentment for a song of resilience and hope, leaving the reader with a profound sense of the country’s enduring spirit.
