House of Rougeaux

Actor Turpin’s skill with a vast array of accents brings the characters of Jaeckel’s multigenerational novel to life. The story begins with a young brother and sister, Adunbi and Abeje, who are slaves on the Caribbean island of Martinique in the 18th century, and follows Adunbi’s descendants to Quebec City, Montreal, Philadelphia, and New York City in the proceeding centuries. In each era, a different character is highlighted: Abeje becomes a respected healer; Adunbi’s daughter, Hetty, is taken to Quebec City and becomes emancipated; Hetty’s son Guillaume is successful, marries, and has children, but hides his homosexuality until a chance encounter changes his life; Eleanor, Guillaume’s musically talented daughter, gets an opportunity to audition for a prestigious conservatory in New York, which takes her life in unexpected directions. Turpin’s cool, clear voice fluidly takes the listener from place to place, and her accent switches seamlessly from Caribbean to French to English to American Southern, giving each character a distinct and authentic voice. Turpin’s multifaceted performance enhances this rich tapestry of a novel. A Raincloud hardcover. (Apr.)