Caribbean literature loses icon as Maryse Condé passes away at 90

Maryse Condé, a renowned French-language novelist from Guadeloupe, passed away at the age of 90. She was known for her works that reimagined personal and historical narratives from various time periods and locations. Despite suffering from a neurological illness that affected her vision, she continued to write and published her final novel, “The Gospel According to the New World.” Condé was celebrated as the “grande dame” of Caribbean literature and explored themes of colonialism, cultural conflicts, and liberation in her works.

Influenced by figures such as Frantz Fanon and Aimé Césaire, Condé’s writings delved into the complexities of Western culture, African culture, and Caribbean culture. She often reimagined classic Western literature, such as “Wuthering Heights” and “The Scarlet Letter,” through a post-colonial lens. Rejecting the title of historian, Condé described herself as a dreamer who explored the historical basis of her heritage with imagination and intuition. Her breakthrough novel, “Segu,” set in an 18th century African kingdom, catapulted her to international fame.

Throughout her career, Condé received numerous accolades, including the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Hurston & Wright Legacy Award. In 2018, she was honored with an alternative Nobel Prize for literature, recognizing her precise yet overwhelming portrayal of the ravages of colonialism and post-colonial chaos. Condé’s legacy also extended to academia, as she taught French and Francophone literature at institutions such as Columbia University and the University of Virginia.

Born Maryse Boucolon in Guadeloupe, Condé was raised in a family that valued French language and culture over local traditions. However, her exposure to literature depicting the oppression faced by black individuals in colonial settings awakened her political consciousness. Moving to Africa in the 1960s, she encountered the harsh realities of post-colonial governance, which informed her debut novel, “Heremakhonon.” Regardless of her surroundings, Condé remained true to her distinct voice, drawing from oral history and personal experiences to shape her narratives.

In her final work, “The Gospel According to the New World,” Condé addressed themes of faith, inner strength, and the power of love. Despite her health challenges, she remained committed to storytelling and advocating for positive change in the world. Through her unique blend of history, imagination, and intuition, Condé left behind a rich literary legacy that continues to resonate with readers worldwide.