Following Trouillot's earlier novels, Kannjawou and Antoine of Gommiers, each of which gave voices to a variety of characters out of Haitian life and lore, The Old Woman of Calvary Hill completes the trilogy with this magical narrative as told by the "old woman" of the title, a spiritual embodiment of the hill itself, who has witnessed its centuries-long exploitation, degradation, and destruction- a place that had once been a gathering spot for women and children to play, dance and love. We learn of the original colonial owners of the land, Des Merables, and their debauchery and cruelty over the decades and the centuries long battles that the old woman has waged to save this sacred place. Readers will be enthralled by this compelling history of place that gives voice to the women of Haiti, the true guardians of their country.
