Seth Michelin
Seth, the vibrant storyteller at the heart of the novel, navigates the complexities of fifth grade while being the son of Haitian immigrants. His adventures unfold with daring encounters: from facing the mysterious old woman feared by neighborhood children to experiencing his first wake and striving to prevent his older brother from diving into a brawl. Yet, underpinning these episodes is a deeper journey—Seth's quest to discover his own identity.
Straddling two worlds, Seth immerses himself in Haitian traditions at home, speaking French with fluency and savoring the rich flavors of his native cuisine. However, once he steps into the schoolyard, he blends seamlessly with his American peers, shooting hoops and feeling the timid flutter of shyness around girls. Despite his frequent grumbles about Samona's peculiar antics, the narrative suggests a hidden admiration. He finds himself inexplicably drawn to her, curious about her escapades, yet outwardly insisting he wishes for her to leave him be.
Intriguingly, Seth's awareness of his family's traditional customs contrasts with his fascination for Samona, who comfortably embraces her status as a social outsider. The esteem in which his family and Bessie Armstrong hold Samona casts doubt on her supposed outcast status. This raises questions about whether Seth exaggerates her flaws to fortify his denial of his attraction to her, or if there is more to her character than meets the eye.
Samona Gemini
Samona is a spirited maverick, bold in her expression and fearless in her explorations of fashion and fresh ideas, unfazed by the prospect of humiliation. She peddles an unusual shampoo infused with manure, going door-to-door with unabashed enthusiasm. Her adventurous spirit leads her astray at the zoo, where she inadvertently finds herself amidst the chaotic charm of Monkey Paradise. Ever the storyteller, she weaves a fantastical tale, convincing Seth that the eccentric Mrs. Fabiyi has abducted and devoured her cat. Samona's vivid imagination and impulsive nature are mirrored at home, where her mother's flair as a poet and investigative journalist and her siblings' inventive money-making schemes thrive in a whirlwind of creativity.
In the book's climax, tension mounts as readers fret over Samona's potential stumble at the Little Miss Dorchester competition. This anxiety intensifies because, as Seth reveals, Samona's essence is entwined with her disregard for self-consciousness; an embarrassment could fundamentally alter her: "Samona couldn't do anything because she was trying to be somebody normal. Only this somebody normal didn't have Samona's guts or her attitude." Seth, realizing what an irreplaceable part of Samona's spirit might be lost if she conformed, chooses to make a fool of himself just to see her smile and feel comfortable once more.
Other Characters
Bessie Armstrong
Bessie, a charming presence in Seth and Samona's school class, often leaves Seth in a flustered silence. Her admiration for his courage in visiting Mrs. Fabiyi's house only adds to his bashfulness. In her quest for the beauty pageant crown, Samona befriends Bessie and discovers the quiet world she inhabits, bound by a mother's disdain for noise. Together, they feel a pang of sympathy for the lack of excitement in Bessie's life.
Mrs. Fabiyi
At the story's outset, the mention of Mrs. Fabiyi, a peculiar Nigerian elder on their street, sends shivers through Seth and Samona. Her reputation was sealed last Halloween when she doused them with a pot of chilled vegetable soup, leaving all the children wary of her eccentric household. Persuaded by Samona, Seth ditches his piano lesson to investigate Mrs. Fabiyi's absence—with the ulterior motive of retrieving Samona's potentially catnapped feline. Their adventure reveals Mrs. Fabiyi's visit to her sister and a playful misunderstanding: the Halloween soup was just...
(This entire section contains 1097 words.)
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a harmless prank. As the tale progresses, Samona's visits for the Little Miss Dorchester contest bring a deeper understanding of Mrs. Fabiyi, transforming Seth's view of her from a mysterious witch to a relatable human being.
Anthony Gemini
Once entangled with gang life, Samona's elder brother Anthony now steers his fate toward architecture, sketching his dreams after a stint in juvenile detention left its mark—a scar from a fierce gang skirmish. Despite his past associations, he lends Seth a hand in intercepting his brother's meet with Reggie, the street gang leader. With Anthony at the wheel of his convertible, they race to Reggie's hideout, where Anthony mediates peace between Reggie and the younger crowd.
Binta Gemini
Samona's mother, Binta, is a poet of profound resonance, once spotlighted in a PBS special on Black Power poets of the 1960s. Her verses may not fill her coffers, so she moonlights as an undercover journalist for the magazine Intruder. At the Little Miss Dorchester pageant, her "date," Mr. Biggs, is an ex-minister from the Nation of Islam under her scrutiny for a story. With a touch of affection, she dubs Seth "Young King," whimsically noting his burdensome regal demeanor. Her relationship history is complex, marked by an absent father who departed before their Boston move two years prior.
Leticia Gemini
Samona relays a tale of her sister Leticia's culinary revenge—baking a meatloaf spiked with dog food for her unfaithful boyfriend Tyrone, a canine metaphor in action. Leticia, who runs a bustling psychic hotline, enlists Samona to handle calls when she's otherwise occupied. During Seth's visit, Leticia is immersed in opera practice, inspired by the likes of Leontyne Price on TV. Her friendship with Chantal frays over romantic entanglements, but when trouble brews between Jean-Claude and Jerome, Leticia instinctively seeks solace from Chantal.
Nigel Gemini
Nigel, the Gemini sibling untouched by misdeeds, is on an academic path to engineering at Boston College. A tinkerer at heart, he once enlisted his family in a misguided winemaking venture that promised wealth—half a century hence. Despite this, his inventive spirit thrives, concocting a vegetable-based love potion. With Anthony, he scours their mother's garden for ingredients in a clandestine escapade.
Granme
Sharing a room with Seth's sister Chantal, his grandmother Granme speaks only Kreyol, a blend of French and English from Haiti. Her sister's passing draws family from across North America to honor her—"a significant occasion," Seth notes, as she is their family's matriarch. Granme holds fast to her traditions, occasionally bemused by America's quirks, like her disapproval of Samona's hairstyling choices.
Manmi
Seth's mother, a dedicated hospital nurse, embraces a new hairstyle against her initial doubt, defying her cultural leanings towards the traditional. Deeply rooted in Haitian customs and the Catholic faith, she embodies resilience and strength in the family fabric.
Chantal Michelin
In the tapestry of her family, Seth's sister holds one of the most challenging threads. Ensnared by the deeply rooted, patriarchal customs of Haitian culture, she is often reduced to menial tasks despite her awareness, as an American citizen, of her potential to soar beyond traditional expectations. While heritage dictates she should embrace a future as a housewife or perhaps a nurse, Chantal dreams of carving out a path in politics, an arena where she can champion the cause of others. Her journey towards autonomy is further complicated by her family's vigilance as she enters the age of youthful romance. Her clandestine relationship with Jerome remains hidden until a dramatic encounter, where Jean-Claude confronts Jerome, forces her to face the truth. Choosing honesty, she confesses to her parents about Jerome, yet they decide she is still too young for such pursuits.
Jean-Claude Michelin
Seth's elder brother, Jean-Claude, stands as a pacifist and a pillar of respect amidst the urban chaos, renowned for mediating conflicts and guiding troubled youth towards redemption. He grapples with his identity as a black man, staunchly opposing prevailing American beauty ideals that marginalize and demean people of color. Despite his forward-thinking stance, Jean-Claude harbors traditional views. When Chantal begins to entertain notions of independence, he rashly attributes her awakening to the influence of her suitor, Jerome. His ire nearly drives him to physical confrontation, an act starkly opposed to his core values. However, clarity prevails, prompting Jean-Claude to reassess his actions and recognize the unjust constraints he has placed on his sister, stifling her true self.
Papi
Seth's father, once a dreamer with his sights set on the skies, longed to navigate the heavens as a pilot. Alas, financial limitations and the unavailability of joining the Air Force clipped his wings. Now, he finds himself grounded at the airport, laboring in the baggage department of Air France. Yet, on weekends, he reignites his passion through the rhythmic dance of soccer, playing as part of the Mighty Spiders team.
Reggie
In the neighborhood, Reggie cuts a notorious figure—a gang member already weathered by two stints in jail at the tender age of sixteen. Under the watchful guidance of Jean-Claude, Reggie strives to evade the shadows of his past. Jean-Claude has imparted the gift of literacy to Reggie, hoping it may illuminate a brighter path. However, in a moment of fury towards Jerome, Jean-Claude announces he will seek out Reggie, igniting Seth's fear that violence may ensue. When Anthony helps locate Reggie, Seth dashes to catch up with him, accompanied by Samona whose voice rings out calling Reggie's name. A tense moment ensues as Reggie brandishes a gun at the young ones, only for Anthony to arrive just in time to de-escalate the perilous situation.
Tone
See Anthony Gemini