Queen of Exiles

A Novel

By: Vanessa Riley

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

“You may not know Marie-Louise Christophe but once you have met her, you won’t forget her. Vanessa Riley’s historical novel feels timely and relevant, commemorating a time when Black women were queens.” - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley is back with another novel based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.

The Queen of Exiles is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.

In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indifference from former allies in Britain and the new United States. Louise desperately tries to steer the country’s political course as King Henry descends into a mire of mental illness.

In 1820, King Henry is overthrown and dies by his own hand. Louise and her daughters manage to flee to Europe with their smuggled jewels. In exile, the resilient Louise redefines her role, recovering the fortune that Henry had lost and establishing herself as an equal to the kings of European nations. With newspapers and gossip tracking their every movement, Louise and her daughters tour Europe like other royals, complete with glittering balls and princes with marriage proposals. As they find their footing—and acceptance—they discover more about themselves, their Blackness, and the opportunities they can grasp in a European and male-dominated world.

Queen of Exiles is the tale of a remarkable Black woman of history—a canny and bold survivor who chooses the fire and ideals of political struggle, and then is forced to rebuild her life on her own terms, forever a queen.

"A sweeping look at the political, social, and romantic intrigue surrounding Haiti’s first and only queen. Riley’s depiction is richly imagined and wholly original." — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

"Queen of Exiles is the riveting account of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's first and only Queen. Bold, ambitious, historically sound and beautifully told."--Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Vanessa Riley (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Haiti Historical Fiction

I am so happy to listen to another book by Vanessa Reilly about strong beautiful black women with its roots in the Caribbean. She makes these real life women come to life. If you have not listened to Island Queen yet… amazing.

Powerful

This was a wonderfully enlightening read. I had problems with the dialect and had to reduce the speed but other than that, loved the history of the Queen et al. The strength of black women never ceases to amaze me throughout centuries. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and researched some of the facts mentioned. A must read.

Superb rendition

I’m absolutely grateful for this incredible historical fiction. The well- depicted sceneries and events are a testament of the careful research which provide the reader with an authentic rendition of the characters’ behaviors and sentiments . Well done!

Brilliant narration of Marie-Louise Christophe

Vanessa Riley's Island Queen remains my favorite book to date. I still remember how immersed I was in that storyline. Queen of Exiles was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. However, the structure of this narrative didn't connect or engage me in the same way. I struggled to get a real sense of who Marie-Louise was at heart. What stood out was her love for her husband, her children and her country. I feel like I never got to know her.

Robin Miles is a stellar narrator and one reason I kept coming back to the book. The last 10 chapters or so we get a bit more of Marie-Louise but I will need to do more research to see if I can bridge the gap.