A World of His Own: In the Land of
the Creoles
Arlette Gaffrey
Reviewed by Terry Studer
A World of His Own: In the Land of the Creoles by Arlette Gaffrey is a
wonderfully artistic novel rich in history and romance. This story
shows a historical part of New Orleans that the average person doesn't
know about. The Creoles are a colorful people that are set in their
ways and snobbery is a large part of their social structure. Keeping
the blood lines pure is one of their top priorities. The book is
astounding and addictive. It will keep you wanting more with each page
you turn. I fell so in love with this book that I have been savoring
each and every chapter like a delicate decadent chocolate.
Andre' de Javon is a man set on a mission. He is the most handsome man
to have been found in New Orleans in quite some time. Not only handsome
but determined, hardworking, smart and patient he learns what he can in
order to start his own plantation and make it the best one in the area.
Andre is so much sought after that the claws come out on the Belles of
the Ball whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Julie Marie Charleviox is the daughter of Andre's mentor and a child
still but with a grown woman's feelings. Very much the little hellion,
her father sends her to the Convent for schooling to become a proper
young lady so that all the young beaus of New Orleans will seek to
capture this young beauty when she becomes of age. Unfortunately for
all the young beaus, Julie's young heart is immediately captured with
her first introduction to Andre de Javon who is ten years her senior.
Upon her debut it becomes clear that all the young men flock to this
rare creature whose beauty rivals that of the most stunning diamond,
has the knowledge of the most proficient plantation owner and stands to
inherit most everything her papa has worked so hard to gain.
Gabrielle Ste. Claire is a beast in the body of an exquisitely
beautiful young woman. Much sought after at each Ball she attends, it
is the dismay of all the young men of New Orleans when she spies Andre
as he attends his first soiree upon his arrival in the city. She is a
rough cut diamond with all the sharp edges and knows exactly how to use
them to her best advantage. Spiteful, demanding, sharp tempered, she
knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She is the
spoiled child with a silver spoon in its mouth in every sense of the
word.
The story is set in early nineteenth century New Orleans teaching us
about the most minute details of the background of the Creole people.
Most of these people coming from France after the Reign of Terror and
Napoleon's War just want to make a life for themselves in the most
successful way possible. Through trial and error they become an
important part of the United States with the development of plantations
growing cotton and sugar cane. Not only do these plantations grow the
sugar cane but they process it into molasses and the finest sugar to be
found.
Another factor that makes New Orleans so important is its strategic
location at the mouth of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
It is considered a major shipping port of great worth but it is also a
very dangerous port due to pirates who continually raid incoming ships
stealing the booty and selling the goods at a much higher price.
The main focus here though is the story of Andre de Javon and Gabrielle
Ste. Clair. Marriage ensues with battles that brew making this a
horrific nightmare. A great mistake is made by Andre and he pays for it
in more ways than you can imagine. Secrets are kept in order to protect
Gabrielle's family from total disgrace and Andre's total ruination.
The author has given us such a wonderfully told story of what family
life was truly like during this time period. I feel as though the
author has been sitting here reciting to me words that have been handed
down from generation to generation to keep the history pure and to
acknowledge the hardships and hard work that was required in order not
only to survive but to thrive. This novel will be going into my
personal collection for future reading when I hunger for that piece of
candy to satisfy my sweet tooth. Well done.