Heading SouthOn the sun-drenched island of Haiti in the 1970s, under the shadow of “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s notorious regime, locals eke out an existence as servants, bartenders and panderers to the white elite. Fanfan, Charlie, and Legba, aware of the draw of their adolescent, black bodies, seduce rich, middle-aged white tourists looking for respite from their colourless jobs and marriages. These “relationships” mirror the power struggle inherent in all transactions in Port-au-Prince’s seedy back streets. Heading South takes us into the world of artists, rappers, Voodoo priests, hotel owners, uptight Parisian journalists and partner-swapping Haitian lovers, all desperately trying to balance happiness with survival. Made into an award-winning film starring Charlotte Rampling, this provocative novel, translated for the first time into English, explores the lines between sexual liberation and exploitation, artistic freedom and appropriation, independence and colonialism. |
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Abel Albert album ambassador anymore Anyway asks barman beach Becky Bellevue Circle Brenda can’t Carl-Henri Charlie says Charlie’s Christina comes couldn’t crazy Croix-des-Bouquets dear Denz didn’t doesn’t door drink everything eyes face Fanfan father feel Françoise girl give goes Haiti Haitian hand Hansy happened Harry Harry’s he’ll head husband isn’t Jacques Gabriel John John-John journalist June Kenscoff last night laugh leave Legba Listen living look Madame Saint-Pierre Mama Mario Maryse Mauléon mean Minouche minutes Missie Missie’s morning mother never o’clock Okay painting Pétionville Philip Roth Port-au-Prince says Chico says Gogo she’s Shoubou silence Simone sitting sleep smile someone spend stop suddenly sure Tabou talking Tanya tell there’s they’re thing told turns voice voodoo wait wasn’t watching What’s who’s woman women Woody Allen worry you’ve young