Butterfly Publication
Danielle Coulanges
Press
Events
National Black Book Expo
Houston, TX
May 2009
B. Dalton Bookstore - Jersey City, NJ
October 2008
The Big Read Book Fair - Jersey City, NJ
September 2008
Caribbean Life – Brooklyn/Staten Island Edition
October 8, 2008
Book Review by Arlene McKanic
Why are smart women so often taken in by cads and rascals? This is one of the questions explored in Danielle Coulanges’ memoir, “Cads, Princes and Best Friends.”
Born in Haiti, Coulanges came to the United States when she was young and started a career in the fashion industry where she meets a man who would be referred to as “Joe.”
He’s one of the “cads” of the title, and cad must be considered a polite way to describe him. He’s a bit older than Coulanges, but wildly ambitious, handsome, and best and most devastating of all, incredible in bed.
At one point Coulanges finds a much younger woman in her bed, something neither the girl nor Joe thinks is anything of a big deal.
Coulanges finally quits him with the help of her steadfast friends, especially Annie, who she helps later on when she has some romantic and financial misfortunes of her own.
Also supporting Coulanges is her family, a fascinating bunch who are loyal in their own quirky way. There’s the author’s punitive mother, who disparages her for shacking up with a man she’s not married to, even though she’d done the same thing (and as a result was left with basically nothing when the father of her children was murdered).
The sections of the book where Coulanges grows close to her mother in her last years are moving. There’s Coulanges’ sister and her daughters, who compensate, somewhat, for the author’s regretted childlessness, and her brother, ever down on his luck and probably manic depressive.
After Joe is out of the picture-more or less- the author touches on other dramas in her life. She describes the constant struggle to make a go of her fashion business, which she eventually gives up, the worries about money that lead to bankruptcy, and the triumphs and troubles at her jobs, including one time when she was fired after training her replacement, who happens to be white.
Coulanges writes of her deepening religious belief, and her eventual learning to let go and trust in God. More men appear and disappear, including a nice enough chap named Milton, and then Henri, one of her “princes,” and a fellow Haitian, courteous, patient, considerate and warm. Coulanges worries that he is almost too good to be true. Is he?
“Cads, Princes and Best Friends” is a memorable journey told by an intelligent, strong and vulnerable woman.
7/25/2008
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A long journey to happiness |
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Hilary Morris |
