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Evoking the grand tradition of such “monster” tales as Frankenstein and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Barbara Chase Riboud, prize-winning author of the classic Sally Hemings, again gives voice to an “invisible” of history. In this powerful saga, Sarah Baartman, for more than 200 years known only as the mysterious lady in the glass cage, comes vividly and unforgettably to life.
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Saartjie’s experience in England lands her in a famous legal case in which abolitionists took her “partners” to court insisting that Saartjie was enslaved and working against her will. She, being an illiterate person, testified that she had signed a written contract with her “partners” and was being fairly compensated; however considering she died in poverty, the contract (if it truly existed) is highly questionable.
Immediately upon death at age 27 from complications caused by alcoholism, syphilis, and tuberculosis, Saartjie’s body was sold and dissected to prove the theory that she was indeed the missing link and not human. Her remains (death caste, full skeleton, and prized “apron”) were callously displayed and stored in a Paris museum for nearly 200 years and were only recently returned to her native South Africa for burial in 2002.
Chase-Riboud’s in depth research and careful reconstruction of Saartjie’s world is superb! The novel is lengthy, detailed and descriptive. It has a Victorian flair to it – especially in the passages where in depth dialogue is used to convey the Englishmen’s misguided, racists thoughts of the time. The author’s imagination fills in the gaps and gives Saartjie a resonant voice that transcends time. A true work of historical fiction as it references the French Revolution, American Civil War, and historical figures like Jane Austen, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Charles Darwin. The reader empathizes with Saartjie, all the while pulling for justice to be served for her. This is a touching novel – one that will stay with the reader well after the last page is turned.
After suffering loss, unhappiness and misery in her own country, what the girl was subjected to in London was even worse. Sarah became the epitome of ugliness, taunted for her genital `apron' and prominent backside. As the first so-called `Hottentot' to set foot on British soil, Sarah became an object of sensation- and not only because of her race- but also one of ridicule. She was used by those she trusted yet was unable to return to her home country because there was nothing there for her there, either.
This book recounts her tale in stunningly vivid detail- the author has clearly done her research into the time period and brings Sarah, her surroundings and her peers to life. At times heartbreaking, but always brave and shocking, the story thankfully does not get too bogged down in scientific detail or try to be too overzealous with facts.
A brilliant, thought-provoking read that really does leave you wondering about the potential for ignorance and cruelty inside every human being.
Saartjie's experience in England lands her in a famous legal case in which abolitionists took her "partners" to court insisting that Saartjie was enslaved and working against her will. She, being an illiterate person, testified that she had signed a written contract with her "partners" and was being fairly compensated; however considering she died in poverty, the contract (if it truly existed) is highly questionable.
Immediately upon death at age 27 from complications caused by alcoholism, syphilis, and tuberculosis, Saartjie's body was sold and dissected to prove the theory that she was indeed the missing link and not human. Her remains (death caste, full skeleton, and prized "apron") were callously displayed and stored in a Paris museum for nearly 200 years and were only recently returned to her native South Africa for burial in 2002.
Chase-Riboud's in depth research and careful reconstruction of Saartjie's world is superb! The novel is lengthy, detailed and descriptive. It has a Victorian flair to it - especially in the passages where in depth dialogue is used to convey the Englishmen's misguided, racists thoughts of the time. The author's imagination fills in the gaps and gives Saartjie a resonant voice that transcends time. A true work of historical fiction as it references the French Revolution, American Civil War, and historical figures like Jane Austen, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Charles Darwin. The reader empathizes with Saartjie, all the while pulling for justice to be served for her. This is a touching novel - one that will stay with the reader well after the last page is turned.
Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club
The truth is that all women of all ethnicities from Europeaner's to African's to ... to varying degrees can be genetically disposed to such attributes such as steatopygia to elongated minora, it was just far more common among the Khoisan. But, I just wanted to point out this wasn't due to mutilation or tribal ritual. Also, whether Baartman left of her own accord or not, is open to debate, I doubt to many people would willingly enslave themselves and certainly not to the extent that Saaratji endured, this was after all still the years of atlantic slave trade.
Irony is that although women have been victimized and sexually exploited especially black women, and in fact, and always portrayed as inferior, saraatji's attributes were most desirable to men. From the full lips to the more than ample curves. In fact, dresses of her day with their extended posteriors were directly correlated with the enhancing of those sexual attributes, curves, as possessed by Saaratji to make females more attractives in the eyes of males. An odd nuisance which is most baffling, claimed inferiority, yet exactly what was artificially created and desired? It's sad. In short, Hottento Venus, portrays to an extent the Story of Saaratji with a few fallacies, however, what should be gathered from this novel, a greater sense of saaratji's victimization and exploitation, is well conveyed.
Barbara Chase-Riboud brings to life the heartwrenching tale of Sarah Baartman by combining factual, historical data with gripping story telling. In HOTTENTOT VENUS, Chase-Riboud steps back in time to the ninteenth-century and recreates a world steeped in sexism, and the ideal of European superiority. Told in the voice of several of the main characters against the backdrop of slums, courtrooms and medical facilities the reader is emmersed in the thoughts and attitudes of the day. There are shockingly vivid scences describing what Sarah endures that will leave readers angry and sadden. However, the ending will give a since of long overdue justice for Sarah. A truly haunting read, one that will stay with you long after the book is read. I recommend the novel to all.
Reviewed by L. Raven James
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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