Écrire avant l'aube – Toni Morrison [Writing Before Dawn]

It's Black History Month, and here is what I strongly recommend to read, for you as an adult, as well as for teenagers and young adults:

Écrire avant l'aube – Toni Morrison,
by Laura Nsafou
published by Albin Michel

This is the first biography written in French about Toni Morrison, and what's more, it's by a young Afro-feminist author. The title reads like a novel and immerses us as much in the life of Chloe Wofford, Toni Morrison's birth name, as in American history and the struggle for civil rights. The author skillfully uses footnotes to add historical details and explanations about the people mentioned, encouraging readers to learn more (and adding to their reading list). Laura Nsafou goes beyond simply recounting the life of her favorite author, successfully conveying the meaning of her commitment through literature.

From professor to editor to novelist, Toni Morrison gave visibility to African American voices before raising her own. From daughter to wife to single mother, she fought for her independence and freedom of thought, which she always wanted to pass on to her students and readers. The first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, her books give voice to a reality that some would prefer to deny, leading to censorship in several states. Most of her works are available in French (which you can order at Caribou).

This year, February marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month in the United States and the 30th anniversary in Canada. You can find information in French here.

To help decolonize and diversify our bookshelves, Le Caribou offers a selection of titles that is constantly evolving. It is highlighted this month, but shared throughout the year!