Juliette Ascending
Rosemary Poole-Carter
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Nostalgic Read … Recommended … 4 stars

In old New Orleans the years following the War Between the States have wrought changes never considered a decade before. We come across Juliette standing on the balcony of her home in the French Quarter. Homes in the Quarter are tall, narrow, walled and gated. Tomorrow night will be Juliette’s first ball. Despite Federal troops continuing to occupy and govern the city, Carnival has returned. As a surprise, using yards and yards of blue silk and a silvery voile to drape the shoulders, Grandmere has made Juliette her first ball gown. Standing in the shadows Juliette overhears her aunties and her grandmother discussing the ball, her gown and Pierre Revon. Maman assures Grandmere and the Tantes that Juliette will do her duty. ‘I will tell her where her affections must lie.’

Dancing lessons, acting the part of mannequin to display jewelry Papa has to sell, a walk with Matilde, Juliette’s old nurse, Juliette, only a tiny girl less than six years old at the time of the war cannot remember when the town was not occupied by yankee soldiers. She has grown up hearing stories of ‘Beast Butler’ and his misconduct toward the citizens of New Orleans. A visit to the pharmacy to pick up items on the list Matilde carries from home, Grandmere has written each item and even underlined carmine three times. Maman and the pharmacist both consult Matilde for the same reason; her knowledge of voodoo. Monsieur Longet allows his customers to order potions from him rather than their having to call on a voodoo priestess.

A chance meeting in the garden behind Monsieur Longet’s pharmacy sets in play an unexpected circumstance that will have a surprising effect upon Juliette. Papa has been asked for Juliette’s hand in marriage, and he has consented. Juliette has yet to meet the man doing the asking. And, Juliette’s life moves inexorably forward.

Throbbing with post War detail every page of Juliette Ascending is a ablaze with the ambiance of Old South New Orleans. The French Quarter, Creole ladies and tradition slamming hard against the new reality are brought together in a work rich in sensual idiom, elegant standards and a romance against all odds. The tale unfurls as a rose; one petal at a time.

Writer Poole-Carter’s command of language is keen, her characters are charming, well defined and compelling. Settings portrayed in rich detail draw the reader into them. Interest is held from the opening lines as we stand with Juliette on her balcony, follow her on the dance floor with the man Papa has bartered her betrothal and continues when we finally join Juliette as she marries and in happiness begins a life of her own.

Juliette Ascending is a good choice for a long lazy afternoon spent in the porch swing reading, a tall glass of sweet tea nearby and the sound of bees buzzing in the mimosa and nearby jasmine.

A nice addition to the personal pleasure reading collection, Juliette Ascending has a place in the school and public library and for use as a tuck-in nicety in a gift basket prepared for a favorite sister or auntie.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.