Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review From the collaborators who gave us Sukey and the Mermaid (1992), a rich tale that adds Caribbean spice to the folklore stew. Based on a story from the island of Martinique (via Europe), this begins with two friends, Clement and Hippolyte, who have been raised as brothers. Clement has fallen in love with the beautiful Pauline, so the duo head off to woo her. Pauline readily accepts Clement's proposal, despite the fury of her uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, who is rumored to be a wizard. The three young people return to Clement's plantation, but in the dark of night, Hippolyte spies three zombies, who have been ordered by Monsieur Zabocat to make sure the wedding never takes place. Anyone who reveals the zombies' murderous plans will be turned to stone. After a slow start, the story ignites with dark and glorious elements. Love, hate and death take shape in Pinkney's impressive scratchboard-and-oil artwork, which is given full range in the dramatic two-page spreads. In his informative afterword, San Souci notes that one appeal of the book lies in its emphasis on the friendship of black and white characters (Clement is West Indian, Hippolyte, French), and while this is true, it is really the brooding elements of the netherworld and the promise of redemption that give the story its potency. (Reviewed Apr. 15, 1995)

Starred Review for Publishers Weekly (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Readers of this talented duo's Sukey and the Mermaid can expect to be equally impressed by this striking volume. This time, San Souci and Pinkney travel to the island of Martinique for a supernatural tale of friendship between two youths, Clement and Hippolyte-one black, one white. Clement woos and wins the beautiful Pauline, but her uncle, the evil Monsieur Zabocat, enlists a trio of zombies to curse the happy couple. Hippolyte uncovers the plot and faithfully protects Clement and Pauline at the risk of his own life. In fine folktale fashion, however, goodness is rewarded, Hippolyte survives, and Zabocat gets his just deserts. Reflecting an understanding of Caribbean culture, San Souci neatly distills the flavor of the French West Indies. Pinkney's distinctive scratchboard artwork just gets better and better; here, he captures both the sunny, carefree island setting as well as the dark undertones of voodoo magic. Ages 5-10. (Mar.)

Horn Book

A folktale from Martinique tells the story of two young men, one black, one white, who are friends from childhood. When Clement falls in love, Hippolyte realizes that a deadly supernatural plot to part the loving couple can be foiled only by his own sacrifice. San Souci's exciting tale of zombies and wizardry is reinforced by the talented Pinkney's dark, brooding illustrations. Glos.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Set in Martinique, this impressive supernatural tale, which won a 1996 Caldecott Honor, """"neatly distills the flavor of the French West Indies,"""" said PW's starred review. Ages 5-8. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4--On the beautiful island of Martinique in the 19th century, good friends Hippolyte, the son of a French-born widow, and Clement, a rich landowner's son, set out to meet a young woman Clement has fallen hopelessly in love through her picture. At their destination, they encounter the prospective bride's frightening uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, purportedly a quimboiseur, or wizard, of the worst degree. After overcoming Zabocat's several curses, which lead both young men into many true tests of friendship, the couple is married and all ends happily. Pinkney's scratchboard and oil artwork switches from bright daytime hues for most of the book to purples and grays for scenes with the zombies and snakes, which are very effective. An afterword gives valuable information about the origins of the tale, and a glossary with pronunciation makes reading aloud and/or telling the tale a real pleasure. This excellent title contains all the elements of a well-researched folktale, and convincingly conveys the richness of the West Indian culture.--Marlene Lee, Broward County Library, Ft. Lauderdale, FL