A Journey Through Traditions
Two self-published books invite readers to delve back into history in very different ways. Through the lens of anthropologist Beverly Richardson, the focus is on oral tradition and collective memory; whilst young author Mélodie Joseph draws on the treasures of nature and Caribbean folklore to craft her fantasy stories.
‘Les mémoires du sel’ by Mélodie Joseph
Mélodie Joseph was born in Martinique, grew up in Saint Martin and has lived in Montreal for several years. In 2023, she published *La respiration du ciel* with VLB Éditeur, the first volume in a fantasy series entitled *La semeuse de vents*. The second volume, *La Chèvre noire*, was published the following year, in 2024. This month, she is publishing her third novel, *Les mémoires du sel*, an epic fantasy inspired by the Caribbean.
On Halite, an island cut off from the world by a magical dome, Yahima is the daughter of the leader of the Scouts, the clan responsible for guarding and escorting travellers through the mangrove swamp. When a group of strangers calls on their services to carry out a crucial mission on these sacred lands, Yahima seizes the opportunity. Having long wished to leave the Scouts, she hopes this expedition will be her last. But she hasn’t reckoned with the terrifying monsters stirring in the woods, the rift widening in the sky, and Adi, the mysterious masked man accompanying the strangers… As they press on, long-buried secrets resurface, threatening to upset the balance of their island forever. In a world on the brink of destruction, Adi and Yahima will be forced to choose between their dreams and their duties to save Halite.
Self-published. Available in digital or print format.
Contact: https://www.melodiejoseph.com
‘Sin’ maatin Word A’Mout’ by Beverly Richardson
The title evokes oral tradition and expressions typical of Saint Martin’s culture, passed down from generation to generation. ‘Word a’mout’ is in fact a direct reference to the English expression ‘word of mouth’, in other words, word-of-mouth. It thus highlights the vernacular English and Creole spoken in Saint Martin. This cultural work celebrates the island’s linguistic heritage and proverbs.
Beverly Richardson explains that she drew her inspiration from within her community to compile the stories, local expressions and memories that shape the cultural identity of Saint-Martin society. This work of collection and transmission is intended not only to preserve this heritage, but also to keep it alive amongst the island’s inhabitants and future generations.
The author of several books on Saint-Martinese society, Beverly Richardson is an anthropologist, historian and political scientist. Self-published.
Contact: 06 90 22 21 15.
