Marié Vieux-Chauvet’s Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Trilogy, translated by Rose-Myriam Réjouis and Val Vinokur, is a powerful and poignant exploration of life under an oppressive regime in Haiti. First published in 1968 but long suppressed, this trilogy has emerged as a significant literary event, finally available in English for the first time through Modern Library. Spanning 416 pages, it comprises three novellas that gradually build in emotional intensity, painting a harrowing picture of families and artists struggling to survive under government restrictions.

In “Love,” Claire, the eldest sister with dark skin and an unmarried status, becomes a virtual servant to her family despite her intense passion for her brother-in-law. Her rebellion takes on a criminal dimension as she seeks redemption through defiance.

“Anger” follows a middle-class family whose world is upended when twenty-year-old Rose must submit to the advances of a repulsive soldier to prevent government seizure of their father’s land, tearing them apart and revealing the vulnerability of even the most stable lives.

In “Madness,” young poet René finds himself trapped in a house without food, consumed by thoughts of the dead, facing invasion by military thugs, and preparing for his final stand against authority. This novella is a visceral portrayal of madness under duress.

Sympathetic yet unflinching, these stories delve into themes of race, class, and sex in Haiti’s society, offering a stark critique of the regime that has turned neighbors into enemies. The work includes an insightful introduction by Edwidge Danticat, providing historical context and deepening the reader’s understanding.