The Faithful Friend

In his informative afterword, San Souci notes that one appeal of the book lies in its emphasis on the friendship of black and white characters (Clement is West Indian, Hippolyte, French), and while this is true, it is really the brooding elements of the netherworld and the promise of redemption that give the story its potency.

San Souci's exciting tale of zombies and wizardry is reinforced by the talented Pinkney's dark, brooding illustrations.

Readers of this talented duo's Sukey and the Mermaid can expect to be equally impressed by this striking volume. This time, San Souci and Pinkney travel to the island of Martinique for a supernatural tale of friendship between two youths, Clement and Hippolyte-one black, one white. Clement woos and wins the beautiful Pauline, but her uncle, the evil Monsieur Zabocat, enlists a trio of zombies to curse the happy couple. Hippolyte uncovers the plot and faithfully protects Clement and Pauline at the risk of his own life. In fine folktale fashion, however, goodness is rewarded, Hippolyte survives, and Zabocat gets his just deserts. Reflecting an understanding of Caribbean culture, San Souci neatly distills the flavor of the French West Indies. Pinkney's distinctive scratchboard artwork just gets better and better; here, he captures both the sunny, carefree island setting as well as the dark undertones of voodoo magic. Ages 5-10. 

Copyright 1995 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.


On the beautiful island of Martinique in the 19th century, good friends Hippolyte, the son of a French-born widow, and Clement, a rich landowner's son, set out to meet a young woman Clement has fallen hopelessly in love through her picture. At their destination, they encounter the prospective bride's frightening uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, purportedly a quimboiseur, or wizard, of the worst degree. After overcoming Zabocat's several curses, which lead both young men into many true tests of friendship, the couple is married and all ends happily. Pinkney's scratchboard and oil artwork switches from bright daytime hues for most of the book to purples and grays for scenes with the zombies and snakes, which are very effective. An afterword gives valuable information about the origins of the tale, and a glossary with pronunciation makes reading aloud and/or telling the tale a real pleasure. This excellent title contains all the elements of a well-researched folktale, and convincingly conveys the richness of the West Indian culture.

Copyright 1995 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.