House of Rougeaux
A Novel

Quotes

“With its intimate portraits of generations of family members, this layered novel proves a splendid showcase for Turpin’s many talents. Accents—Caribbean, French, and more—flow easily. However, her greatest strength is her ability to reveal characters through her nuanced portrayals…Turpin’s expressive reading grounds listeners in this richly detailed family saga." Booklist (audio review)

“Narrator Bahni Turpin conveys place and time quickly while establishing the characters of Abeje and Adunbi…Turpin conveys the protectiveness of their mother, the brutality of her death, and, afterwards, the tenderness of their protection of each other. Turpin also gives a strong sense of the culture of mysticism, viewed largely through Abeje’s development as a healer…Turpin’s facility with accents and characterizations gives listeners a sense of these shifting time periods and the continuity that comes from generations of treasured family stories.” AudioFile

“The language of each narrator feels authentic, whether slave or business owner, illiterate or educated. A wonderful read.” Historical Novels Review

“Graceful prose and clear purpose make this an excellent addition to historical novels about the French Caribbean.” Literary Hub

“An intergenerational novel that uses different characters to travel through decades of turmoil and triumphs.” Bitch Media

“Turpin’s cool, clear voice fluidly takes the listener from place to place, and her accent switches seamlessly from Caribbean to French to English to American Southern, giving each character a distinct and authentic voice. Turpin’s multifaceted performance enhances this rich tapestry of a novel.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Fine brushstrokes bring the writing to life, capturing the scent of wood smoke and sun-dried grass, or a box of rose candies that symbolizes choice…The book achieves a resonance that lingers long after its plot points are forgotten. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the book is that in spite of the inescapable presence of slavery and prejudice, it isn’t really about either of these. Jenny Jaeckel’s House of Rougeaux is about people—varied and fully realized individuals who make a flawed world of their own.” Foreword Reviews