“An inquiry into the limitless ambiguity of violence, lust, and law in the early French Caribbean, The Libertine Colony is a daring scholarly feat. A model of convergence for its contribution across disciplinary boundaries, this book not only challenges how we read Old Regime colonial narratives but prompts us to think again about the proximity of the common and the sacred. In giving a detailed history to the vagaries of colonial slavery, Doris Garraway confronts the gist of torture in those realms that most seem to deny it. In fascinating detail, she rethinks conceits of love, as she exhumes rituals of belief.”-Joan Dayan, author of Haiti, History, and the Gods
“Extremely well written, with a wonderful balance between impeccable scholarship and theoretical sophistication, The Libertine Colony is a very important contribution to postcolonial studies and the study of Caribbean literature and history.”-Peter Hulme, author of Remnants of Conquest: The Island Caribs and their Visitors, 1877–1998
“The Libertine Colony . . . is a model scholarly work. The writer excels at keeping the theoretical perspective to a minimum so as not to impede the reading. As a result, the reader is hardly ever overwhelmed by the analytical terminology. . . . The Libertine Colony is an invaluable addition to the field of postcolonial studies. One can only wish that a French translation will soon be available for the benefit of the French-speaking readership.”
- Alix Pierre (Caribbean Studies) “Garraway’s analysis will challenge, enlighten, and sometimes stupefy historians. . . . Her book deserves to be read and debated because of her admirable immersion in the primary printed and secondary historical literature, and because this brief review cannot plumb the depth and complexities of her work.”
- Phillip P. Boucher (American Historical Review) “This book will prove useful to scholars interested in literature, history, the Caribbean, and colonialism. Garraway’s attention to terms and tropes, i.e., the distinction between flibustiers and buccaneers, the etymology of ‘cannibal,’ and the development of the figure of the ‘zombie,’ adds to its appeal for use in some undergraduate courses. Also valuable are her examination of images from several print documents and her care to situate authors and provide detailed publishing histories.”
- Aletha D. Stahl (French Review)
