I mostly lurk, but this is bothering me so much, I had to come out of hiding to call upon the collective knowledge of you all.
I read a book a few years ago, and I can't think of the title, or author, or, unfortutately, the ending. This is not uncommon for me, which makes re-reading books nice, because the ending can surprise me again.
What I do remember is that it was set in (I believe) the late 19th century in (I believe) New Orleans. If it's not New Orleans, it is the south. A young man is told by the mysterious older woman in the community that they must sleep together in order to have a child. He refuses, but ends up having a dream that they do indeed sleep together. He then wakes to find that the dream had been reality.
I think there are also people who die from swamp fever. I can mostly recall images, but little to connect them. I'm pretty sure the author was female.
Does this ring any bells for anyone? I've tried search engines, but don't remember enough specifics for that to be effective.
Posted by Raymond Arnold (Member # 11712) on :
This vaguely reminds me of "The Folk of the Fringe." Which is by Orson Scott Card, so there is a slightly higher than usual probability that it is him than there would be if this were any other random forum. It's a series of novella-ish things, one of which has a plot similar to what you described. It's set in a post-apocalyptic future with roughly 19th century technology.
Posted by DaisyMae (Member # 9722) on :
I've read Folk of the Fringe. That wasn't it. Now that you mention it though, I suppose there are some similarities.
No, the book I'm thinking of had a definite seduction scene, in the upper bedroom of an old house.
Posted by kacard (Member # 200) on :
There is a long story called "America" in Folk of the Fringe that might be what you are thinking of.
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
Sounds a little like Anne Rice's Witching Hour series. Only a little, though.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I was also thinking Anne Rice. She sets most of her books in New Orleans, which is a strong point in favor.
Posted by DaisyMae (Member # 9722) on :
It was Anne Rice! Thank you. It was The Feast of All Saints. I looked it up and although the boy sleeps with the older woman, there is no dream involved, so maybe I interjected my memory of The Folk of the Fringe into that and they kind of melded in my mind.
Ahh. I love it when that niggling feeling goes away.