Caste structure is rather well defined in the early 1800's
and no where more so then New Orleans. Even the slaves exist
in a sub-structure of house slaves and field slaves. House
slaves enjoy the advantage of protection against at least
part of the cruelty visited upon lesser slaves, of course
depending on the household and overseer. They are the still
the property of the plantation owners but seem to be treated
with more care then the more common field slaves -- perhaps
more simply stated -- more humanely treated. But even those
under this special protection live in mortal fear outside
the confines of the house and owners watchful eye. Citizens
of New Orleans fall into two categories, Cajuns and Creoles.
They live in very different economic and social conditions.
Somehow though catastrophe; economic, personal and climatic
blurs those lines.
Josephine Tassin heir apparent to Toulouse Plantation has
lived a protected albeit troubled life with her beloved
father Emile, mentally distraught mother Celine and
demanding grandmother. Josie's self-esteem is always at the
center of how she copes with everyday occurrences. In her
mind she never quite measures up. There is great conflict in
the Tassin household between house slave Bibi and the
mistress of the house. There is evidently a strong
attraction and perhaps more between Bibi and Emile while
apparently an absence of affection between Emile and Celine.
Josie is placed in the middle of this turmoil when her
father gives her Bibi's daughter Cleo as her very own slave
with instructions to take good care of her; Cleo who seems
to have more confidence than Josie and who has a special
bond with papa. The once special friendship between Josie
and Cleo comes under great scrutiny as Josie matures. Her
world becomes far more complicated as she struggles with
life and death issues and comes face to face with the
realities of her world past and future. The foundation of
ALWAYS AND FOREVER is the story of Josie and Cleo as they,
in their own unique fashion, carve out a place and learn to
survive in the ever changing world around them.
Categorizing this book as Historical Romance greatly
minimizes its impact. This is a powerful story that is
reminiscent of the great epic novels of early writers such
as Mitchell and Steinbeck. This is Gretchen Craig's first
published book and it will certainly win her acclaim.
Through the eyes of Josie, Cleo, Phanor and Bertrand we are
treated to a visual panoramic of life in the 1800's. It
depicts the human aspect of slaves and their relationship
with their owners and overseers. At times this story is
quite realistically raw but never disappointing. Craig is
all ready working on the next installment of this story and
I for one can't wait.
Since they were children running barefoot about Toulouse
Plantation, Jose and Cleo have been as close as sisters,
forging an unbreakable bond that defies their roles as
mistress and slave. Together, the two have shared secrets
and protected each other through happiness and heartbreak.
They never dream they could also share an intense passion
for the same man, the elegant, charming, and irresistibly
seductive Bertrand Chamard. His love will change their
friendship forever and set in motion a series of events
from which there can be no turning back.
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