« La femme Solitude de Guadeloupe »

This paper seeks to unveil the long-winded creative process that led to André Schwarz-Bart’s 1972 novel La Mulâtresse Solitude. Relying on archival and unpublished materials, namely the autograph manuscript—partly written in calligraphy—and what remains of the author’s notes and subsequent drafts, as well as his correspondence with his publishers, the present study documents the shift away from epic historical fiction towards a more intimate approach and the imaginary life story of a strong-willed but reluctant heroine characterized by unfathomable vulnerability.