The Faithful Friend - Softcover

Robert D. San Souci

4.06

775 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0780792890 ISBN 13: 9780780792890

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 1999

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"Sometime in the last centuary, on the lush Caribbean island of Martinique, two young men embarked on a fateful journey crossed by zombies, ghosts, and curses...."
CLEMENT AND HIPPOLYTEare handsome, sharp-witted, and as close as brothers. When Clement falls in love with the enchanting Pauline, he bids Hippolyte to join his quest to court her, and the two friends set out toward danger and adventure.
Pauline is ward of mysterious Monsieur Zabocat-a plantation owner reputed to be a "quimboiseur," a wizard-and, defying his wishes, Pauline joins her new fiance and his friend on their trek home. But the fruited fields and dark forests they traverse hide dark forces plotting to destroy the couple...and one night- "Tam! Tam! Tamtamtam!" -the distant sound of a drum lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap that forces to choose between his friends safety and his own.
Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney again combine their talents to bring to life a West Indian folktale that draws upon Africian, European, and South American traditions and imagery. The result is an extraordinary tale of romance, intrigue, and incomparable courage in which the truest of friends remain faithful to the "very" end.

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About the Author:

Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney combine their talents in this beautiful retelling of a traditional tale from the French West Indies. The result is an extraordinary story of romance, intrigue, and incomparable courage in which the truest of friends remain faithful to the very end.

From Booklist:

Ages 5^-9. From the collaborators who gave us Sukey and the Mermaid (1992), a rich tale that adds Caribbean spice to the folklore stew. Based on a story from the island of Martinique (via Europe), this begins with two friends, Clement and Hippolyte, who have been raised as brothers. Clement has fallen in love with the beautiful Pauline, so the duo head off to woo her. Pauline readily accepts Clement's proposal, despite the fury of her uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, who is rumored to be a wizard. The three young people return to Clement's plantation, but in the dark of night, Hippolyte spies three zombies, who have been ordered by Monsieur Zabocat to make sure the wedding never takes place. Anyone who reveals the zombies' murderous plans will be turned to stone. After a slow start, the story ignites with dark and glorious elements. Love, hate and death take shape in Pinkney's impressive scratchboard-and-oil artwork, which is given full range in the dramatic two-page spreads. In his informative afterword, San Souci notes that one appeal of the book lies in its emphasis on the friendship of black and white characters (Clement is West Indian, Hippolyte, French), and while this is true, it is really the brooding elements of the netherworld and the promise of redemption that give the story its potency. Ilene Cooper

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