Tayannah Lee McQuillar

Creole Fire Tayannah Lee McQuillar

Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875) was a doctor, Sex Magician, Occultist, Author, Lecturer, World Traveler, Rosicrucian Grand Master and a friend of President Abraham Lincoln that also socialized with European Nobility. He was also a Black man. Sometimes. Creole Fire is a verse novella that imagines the life and times of Paschal Beverly Randolph during his stay in New Orleans. The story begins in 1864 when Dr. Randolph steps off of a steamship in New Orleans and immediately seeks out the famous Voodoo priestess, Marie LaVeau for a reading. Instead, he becomes acquainted with her equally powerful daughter, Marie Philomene Legendre and they quickly develop passionate feelings for each other. The only problem is Philomene is married and her mother is determined to use all of her power to prevent their love affair. Randolph also befriends a prosperous Black slave owner named James Hollings. Although Paschal does not agree with the pro-confederate sentiments of many elite colored Creoles, he tries his best to get along with them in order to further his career. When he is unable to suppress his eccentric worldview, he is outcast. All Dr. Randolph has to comfort him is hashish, writing and the affections of a wealthy prostitute named Bella LaBranche. Hollings tries to help Dr. Randolph re-gain the respect of Creoledom by inviting him to a grand ball at his plantation in Plaquemines Parish. Will he be welcomed back into polite society or will he have to leave New Orleans and return to New York? Which woman will have him in the end?