Dr Edgar Adams: ‘This will be my last book’

With 12 publications under his belt and a thirteenth on the way, local author Dr Edgar Adams has decided to call it a day on his book writing.{{more}}

“It was fun while it lasted!” the retired optometrist smiled.

Speaking with a cool confidence that only comes with decades of dedication and hard work, Dr Adams said that he is ready to hand over the baton to the younger generation.

“The effort you make when you’re 58 is not the same you’re able to at 78,” he explained.

Having graduated from the Northampton College of Advanced Technology in England, Dr Adams returned to his homeland in 1962 to set up an optometry practice.

Over the years, he has not only tended to the optical needs of Vincentians, but has also run clinics in Dominica, Saint Lucia, Anguilla and Barbados.

As he reminisced, Dr Adams recalled how much he enjoyed travelling in those days. Although he still enjoys travelling, the fares don’t allow him to indulge as he used to.

“In those days it cost EC$21 for a return flight to Saint Lucia,” he pointed out. “But these days it’s in excess of $600.”

So how did this trained optometrist make the foray into writing books?

Dr Adams recalled that from an early age, he developed an affinity for writing. In 1943, while attending the Kingstown Methodist School, he won first prize for a written piece he submitted into a competition sponsored by Ebeneezer Duncan.

The prize was a book called ‘The King’s Grace’.

From then on, he maintained an interest in literary works – publishing his first book, ‘Linking the Golden Anchor with the Silver Chain’ in 1996.

From then until now, he has published titles such as ‘Coming Home for Christmas’, ‘Digging for Gold and other short stories’, ‘National Treasures’ and, most recently, ‘The St Vincent Botanic Gardens’.

His upcoming book, ‘The Carib Country Sugar Estates & Georgetown: 1797 – 2010’, is set to be relesaed in October 2010.

Dr Adams described it as a “continuation” of his prior publication, ‘Facts and Comments about Calliaqua and Surrounding Areas’, which dealt with the division of the island in colonial times into sugar cane estates.

In his upcoming book, he goes into more detail about St Vincent’s history of sugar cane cultivation, and looks at revitalising areas such as Georgetown – which boasted highly profitable sugar plantations in colonial days.

Dr Adams acknowledged that local interest in the history of St Vincent and the Grenadines, especially among the youth, is not as high as it should be.

“We have such a rich history, and perhaps how we tell it, it’s not interesting enough,” he mused.

The retiree admitted that his literary career was no walk in the park; especially when doing research and seeking funding.

“It can be like pulling teeth!”

However, he said that the rewards of such labour can be very fruitful.

“It’s like a farmer planting something,” he said. “When he looks at his produce at the end of it, he is happy that he can eat from his labour.”

He then quipped: ‘But when you can’t eat from your labour, it’s not so encouraging!”

Despite that, he encouraged young people who have an interest in writing/publishing to explore all avenues to achieve their goals.

“Try your luck!” he exclaimed. “ You might be more successful than I was.”(JV)