Vincentian diplomat launches debut novel

Vincentian inspirational author, creative writer and diplomat Doris Charles, formerly of Vermont Village, Buccament, has launched her debut novel ‘The Day I Found Him,’ which was published as part of the BIS Publications UK line.

The launch took place at the High Commission of St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday, February 6. Close to 60 persons, representing the Caribbean diasporas, the diplomatic community, {{more}}the religious community, the Commonwealth Education Council, friends and relatives from Malta and the Czech Republic, as well as others representing various organizations, attended the event.

Special guest in attendance was the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph E Gonsalves. He referred to Doris as a remarkable woman. He has positioned Doris’ writing among a number of notable Vincentian creative writers, such as Shake Keane, Danny Williams, Peggy Carr, St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince and other greats. Reference was also made to the phenomenal work of George Thomas, for his brilliant contribution to the Vincentian literary landscape in his writing of ‘Ruler in Hairouna’. While not in the same categorization, Doris’ novel was anticipated as one which held much promise and would be memorable.

The Prime Minister gave Charles some words of encouragement and praised her for her hard work. An avid reader himself, he quoted from some of his favourite authors, such as Derrick Walcott and the late Chinua Achebe, who both left an impression on him. He reminded the audience that it is important to document your story. He went on to paraphrase Winston Churchill in saying that ‘…history will be kind to me; how do I know, simply because I will write it…’

Doris is a former student of the Buccament Government School, the Girls’ High School, the St Vincent Teachers College and the UWI (UWIDITE programme). Doris is thankful for the encouragement of a family member and friends, who prompted her to publish. Besides this novel, Doris has a collection of other written material, such as books of poetry and for children, both fiction and non-fiction. These were written over a number of years. Her current aim is to assist her former primary school and the surrounding communities and this is why all profits realized from the sale of her novel will be donated to her former primary school.

Set in the Caribbean, The Day I Found Him – a work of fiction, portrays a vivid description of rural life which supported the journey of Dannii Matthews, who longed for life, and love outside of Mongoose Hill under the shadow of Bonhomme. The Village Ram, Reuben Grimes, was the man with whom she fell in love. Her story is a powerful demonstration of forgiveness, loyalty and ultimate redemption. After the death of Reuben, she met Chi Lanoline and was able to embrace the qualities of the man that her grandfather would have wanted for her, had he lived long enough. The qualities of a good man had been so hard to find till then. With scarred hands she learnt to love the man – the real man, slowly, but meaningfully, the day she found ‘Him’.

Manyonyi Amalemba, author of ‘Becoming’ said, “Doris Charles has written a masterful narrative that resonates at all levels with all the intricate nuances herein advanced. She shows a good grasp of the material; better still of life in a rural setting and the interspersed aspects …but truth be told juxtaposition is relative as this could be located anywhere and the narrative would still hold true. But her setting brings a poignant perspective, her style and language painting a picture that takes you deep into the characters on the page, bringing them to life. We all live under the shadow of Bonhomie. Brilliant read.”