Elsie Martinez & Collette Stelly - Henriette Delille: Rebellious Saint
Sep 11 2010 11:30 am
Sep 11 2010 1:00 pm
Saturday - September 11
11:30-1PM
Elsie Martinez and Colette Stelly discuss and sign their book Henriette Delille: Rebellious Saint.
If you are unable to attend,you must call the book shop to order signed books.
Set in the New Orleans French Quarter during the nineteenth century, this fictional biography follows the spiritual journey of Henriette Delille, a strong-willed free woman of color who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family. The story begins in 1823 when Henriette is ten years old. Though dazzled by the opulence of quadroon balls and affluent New Orleans society, she dedicates her life to helping the less fortunate, especially slaves. Henriette remains steadfast in her desire to live a moral life, despite her family's disapproval. In an attempt to extend her acts of kindness, she organizes a community of women who help her with charitable works. The Sisters of the Holy Family aim to educate slaves, care for the sick, and feed the hungry. During the Civil War, Henriette's health deteriorates; however, she works through her weakness, never wavering from her duty to help others, until she passes away in 1862. Using the unique culture of New Orleans as a backdrop, Henriette Delille: Rebellious Saint provides a glimpse into such customs as the placage system, voodoo practices, and the culture clash between Americans and the French and Spanish.
Location:
- Street:
- Garden District Book Shop
- Additional:
- 2727 Prytania Street
- City:
- New Orleans ,
- Province:
- Louisiana
- Postal Code:
- 70130
- Country:
- United States
