Based on true events, “Young Ladies of Good Family”, by Anne Marie du Bois de Chêne, portrays the world of one of Haiti's rare white gentry. It's packed full of wild experiences and delirious escapades; a perfect gift for anyone aged 9 to 99!
Discover this incredible land of crushing poverty and rich optimism. Walk among zombies, 7 inch tarantula spiders, people and machines 'possessed' by spirits, and the nightly sounds of voodoo drums.
Experience traveling alone, working on cruise ships, in island hotels, and real estate; surviving physical attacks, and attempts at kidnapping!
See your world with more appreciative eyes, yet, feel a nagging urge to return to the strange one just left behind.
Find adventure, romance, suspense, mystery, history, and humor. Here is a real eye opener, and very educational. Oprah, your club needs this one!
Excerpt: "The happy Colonel family suddenly froze in horror, for before their very eyes stood the apparition of a monster so evil looking that one could never have imagined it, and it was walking towards them! ..."
Reader Comments & Reviews:
“If this book were required reading for our schools, we would have far fewer discontented and disrespectful children.” – Linda Doucet, LA
"What a lovely painting of Haiti from the words of an islander! The author offers a colorful new picture of the people, … and especially their views of outsiders. This small book explores real wealth, freedom, gracious conduct and racial harmony. You’ll wish you were one of them”. – Norma Richards, LA
" I was immersed in the stories as if I were a character present and watching the action unfold. Great masterpiece!" Kristopher Lemke, FL
The author, born and raised in Haiti as a young lady of good family, writes under the pen name of Anne Marie du Bois de Chêne to protect her family.
She always dreamed of visiting other lands; and felt as if the forlorn horns of visiting ships were calling her to board.
After graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, she taught French and English in Haiti, then worked in business Administration, before following her dream to travel again. She has also worked on cruise ships, in Hotel Management, Real Estate and Sales.
The author now lives back in Louisiana with her German husband, who shares her love of travel.
"Young Ladies of Good Family" is written in memory of her American mother, who said "Maybe if you wrote about this crazy family and island, people will finally believe our stories!".
The author hopes a person of great influence will tell the world to buy her book, so she can sponsor Educational and Reforestation Programs in Haiti.
"Few Haitian can live happily elsewhere for very long. I can, yet I miss Haiti chérie far more than I care to admit", Anne Marie du Bois de Chêne
From Chapter 13
ISLAND PETS AND CREATURES: Felix the iguana was six feet long, counting the tail, and three awesome feet high. It had the same type of notched spine as a dinosaur, and large teeth to match. Although it was a herbivore, its physical aspect belied this fact. This animal caused goose bumps on the thickest arms, at first sight.
After a while, reassured by the quiet, Felix decided to investigate the fresh smelling branches, and being of the lizard family, was delighted to discover that one of the branches could actually hold his weight. Slowly, carefully, but surely, up, over, and down he climbed, and, noted strange murmuring sounds coming from the neighbors.
Island ladies firmly believe that if they see a horrible sight while they are pregnant, their baby will look like it.
The happy Colonel family suddenly froze in horror, for before their very eyes stood the apparition of a monster so evil looking that one could never have imagined it, and it was walking towards them!
Papa Colonel was the first man to regain his wits. He bravely grabbed his large daughter and pushed, and shoved her into the house, where she collapsed in a floor shaking slump. Mme and the husband were tripping over one another, bringing up the rear. The heavy wooden doors were slammed shut, locked, and barricaded. The Colonel, true military man that he still was, summoned the National Guard, then thinking it best to be safe rather than sorry, also demanded the intervention of the Army, the Special Forces, and put the Air Force on alert, as well.
Sounds of falling rocking chairs caused the family to hug one another and pray in earnest, between whimpers.