In celebration of Jounen Kwéyòl 2019, Dr. Reynolds is pleased to invite you to the Vieux Fort launch of his fourth book, My Father Is No Longer There, at the International American University (IAU), across from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, on Saturday 19 October 2019 starting at 6:30 PM.
The launch will include poetry (both English and
Kwéyòl) and other artistic performances by primary and secondary school students, Kwéyòl and folk music hors d’oeuvres, and book reading and signing by Dr. Reynolds.
My father Is No Longer There is a memoir inspired by the accidental death of Dr. Reynolds’ father. As such the book presents a meditation on the nature of death, the value of a life, and the nature of art and creativity. It is an exploration of family values, the depths of parental love and sacrifice, and the importance of parent-child bonding.
Indeed, the multifaceted nature of the book has prompted award-winning poet, Modeste Downes, to reveal that “the memoir contains many stories, perhaps many books, within one cover.”
Dr. Reynolds’ views the publication and launching of My Father Is No Longer There as a celebration of and dedication to his father’s life. In fact, this is one of the reasons he has chosen to host the Vieux Fort launch during the month of Jounen Kwéyòl, for not only was his father from Vieux Fort North, a bastion of St. Lucian kwéyòl and folk culture, but according to his memoir, his grandmother, his father’s mother, was a queen of folk culture in the manner of Dame Marie Selipha Sessene Descartes. In the memoir, Dr. Reynolds also revealed that it was on his farm in the Vieux Fort countryside that his father seemed the happiest and most himself.
Based on what the critics are saying, not only will the launch of My Father Is No Longer There be a celebration of Jounen Kweyol and the life of Dr. Reynolds’ father but the reading of it will be a treat. For instance, CARICOM diplomat and economist, PeterLansiquot, said: “Dr. Reynold’s mastery as a fierce storyteller is yet again reaffirmed. This memoir calmly and thoroughly takes the reader along the rough terrain of a family’s epic struggle for survival…”Modeste Downes, author of A Lesson on Wings, said: “A pulsating …riveting … and compellingly readable narrative.” And Dr. Jolien Harmsen, author of a History of St. Lucia, said: “A love ballad, a joy to read and a privilege to be savored.”
Published by Jako Books, My Father Is NoLonger There is all of 215 pages and has a list price of US$24.95, but is being sold in St. Lucia at EC$60.00, and at the launch it will be sold at the discounted price of EC$50.00. The book is available online at amazon.com both in print and as eBook. In St. Lucia it is available at T&M Toy Stationery (JQ Plaza, VieuxFort), GloMart (Gablewoods South) Best of St. Lucia & Noah Arcade (Hewanorra International Airport), and AF Valmont (Laborie Street, Castries).
The Vieux Fort launch is just the first leg of Dr. Reynolds’ national tour. In November he will conduct launches in Castries and Soufriere, and will start conducting book readings at the island’s secondary schools and readings at primary schools in the south of the island, and next year he will embark on a regional and international tour.
For more information on My Father Is NoLonger There, Jako Productions and Dr. Reynolds, please to visit: www.jakoproductions.com, https://www.facebook.com/jakoproductions, https://www.facebook.com/jakobooks/, and https://www.facebook.com/LucianCulture/.
Press Pack
A Review by Modeste Downes
An Interview with Dr. Anderson Reynolds
