Born into slavery on the island of Saint-Domingue, Zarite, young Tete and her fellow slaves find solace in what remains of the African heritage. But when 20-year-old Toulouse Valmorain arrives to the island in 1770, he comes to rely on Tete's servitude. Over the course of four decades, Tete learns of humanity's great potential for both progress and cruelty

"The story of a mulatta woman, a slave and concubine, determined to take control of her own destiny in a society where that would seem impossible"--Provided by publisher.