Customer Reviews

Desiree's Baby

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In this poignant story the main character, Armand Aubigny, assumes that it is his wife's (Desiree) fault that their young son has Negroid features. He assumes this because when he first met and fell in love with her, she had no real knowledge about who her parents were and where she came from. Feeling shame and disillusion about his marriage, Armand forces his wife and son away from his home and life forever. But by the end of the story, he stumbles upon a family secret which makes him, not Desiree, directly responsible for the Negroid features of his son. He discovers that his own mother, " . . . belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery." This bit of irony in the end is cleverly done and establishes Kate Chopin's final point - that the only difference that exist between white and black, is in the imagination of a society that exclusively decides its own racial purity!

I read this book seventeen years ago when I was at school in England, being taught 'Literature' by a Texan. At the time I thought it a poignant story, and as years have passed the story of Desiree and Armand have lived with me. I couldn't remember the author, or even the title of the story, but was determined to search it out. Thanks to this website, I have managed just that. I would not hesitate in recommending this sad, strange story to all, but warn you that it is a truly unforgettable piece of literature.

I first read this at school in England where I was taught Literature by a Texan. Although I appreciated the clever delivery and beautiful poignancy of this story, I did not realise that it would live in memory. Knowing only the character's names, I have looked for this book for 19 years. Thanks to your website, I have finally found it.

This is a magnificent tale which I would recommend wholeheartedly.