A New Orleans Voudou Priestess

The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau

By: Carolyn Morrow Long

Narrated by: Ian Eugene Ryan

Against the backdrop of 18th and 19th-century New Orleans, A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau disentangles the complex threads of the legend surrounding the famous Voudou priestess. According to mysterious, oft-told tales, Laveau was an extraordinary celebrity whose sorcery-fueled influence extended widely from slaves to upper-class whites. Some accounts claim that she led the "orgiastic" Voudou dances in Congo Square and on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, kept a giant snake named Zombi, and was the proprietress of an infamous house of assignation. Though legendary for an unusual combination of spiritual power, beauty, charisma, showmanship, intimidation, and shrewd business sense, she was also known for her kindness and charity, nursing yellow fever victims and ministering to condemned prisoners, and her devotion to the Roman Catholic Church. The true story of Marie Laveau, though considerably less flamboyant than the legend, is equally compelling.In separating verifiable fact from semi-truths and complete fabrication, Long explores the unique social, political, and legal setting in which the lives of Marie Laveau's African and European ancestors became intertwined. Changes in New Orleans engendered by French and Spanish rule, the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow segregation affected seven generations of Laveau's family, from enslaved great-grandparents of pure African blood to great-grandchildren who were legally classified as white. Simultaneously, Long examines the evolution of New Orleans Voudou, which until recently has been ignored by scholars. The book is published by University Press of Florida.

©2006 Carolyn Morrow Long (P)2011 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"There are few figures in New Orleans history as alluring as Marie Laveau... a figure who stood at the very nexus of religion, music, commerce, and history, and this fascinating, well-documented volume is the worthy result." ( New Orleans Times-Picayune)

Eh

I enjoyed this for the most part. The narrator’s constant mispronunciations are extremely annoying though.

interesting but dry

Very dry . I liked that it was factual, but the writing was so straight forward that I struggled to finish. At times it sounded like a recitation of public records.

Worth A Listen

I have seen a number of people complain about the narration. It’s not bad in my opinion. In fact, if you’d like it to be more energetic just speed it up a tad. Too easy! Many blessings.

Well researched

well researched

It is well written, and well read, and will research. blah blah blah blah blah

Comprehensive look

Well researched and one of the better books about Marie Louveau
The narrator is great as well