Moins que rien
(Less than nothing) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In Ville-Bonheur, Haiti, Éliette is a “lapourça” (literaly: “here for that”), a domestic child reduced to silence, at the mercy of her abusive masters. Yet she remains hopeful, finding rare comfort in her friendship with Ricardo and Jean-Jackson, two boys “restavek” (literaly: “stay with”) with whom she forms the “Less Than Nothing” team.
When one day her “boss” extorts all her savings in exchange for a portrait he wants to get rid of, Éliette communicates with the canvas, which she believes to be cursed, and discovers the story of Jean-François-Adrien Piedefer, a slave in revolt at the end of the 18th century. Through this symbolic encounter, Éliette finds the sign she needed to set out on the path to freedom.
Edited by: Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
Comment:
This novel, supported by Amnesty International, combines an educational and commemorative approach to slavery, while raising awareness of its lingering effects in the modern world. A surprising dose of fantasy coexists with a more documentary-style look at life in Haiti, faisant une place importante aux langues locales. The subject of child exploitation is dealt with directly, but not without sensitivity, by Yves-Marie Clément.