The Dragon Can’t Dance by Earl Lovelace

Me and Earl Lovelace

I met Earl at the Bocas Lit Fest in Trinidad, and I was not familiar with him nor his writings before the festival; however, after seeing him at the lit fest, I developed totally respect for him and even a little schoolgirl crush.

While at the lit fest, I attended a tribute for the writer Eric Roach, and Earl was one of the readers who paid tribute to Eric.

Eric Roach

I was sitting behind Earl, and I got the chance to get a good look at him. He is an older man with a very strong presence, and he looks like he is not afraid of a little hard work. (I love a man who is strong yet soft!)

He got up to speak, his presence was felt, and his reading and talk were quite captivating; I had to find out more about Earl Lovelace.

Earl during his talk!

I had quite a pleasant conversation with Earl and my schoolgirl crush continued to grow...

I finally decided that I must read something by Earl Lovelace. I asked him which one of his books would he suggest that I read, and he suggested The Dragon Can’t Dance, and he even signed it for me.

My people, I love this book.

Earl has a way with words that completely pulled me to Port of Spain. As I was reading The Dragon Can’t Dance, I was trying to figure out what literary technique was Earl using to make me feel and vividly see Port of Spain, and I came to the conclusion that it was the descriptive language:

“But to Miss Olive’s daughter, Sylvia, at seventeen, ripening like a mango rose, watching from one corner of the yard, snapping her fingers, tapping her feet to calypso music prancing in her brain, Miss Cleothilda’s performance done on her verandah in her shimmering bodice of black and gold brought the full excitement and panic of the approaching Carnival."

He brought the carnival atmosphere to life, and he left me wanting to go back to Trinidad for the carnival.

Earl tells the story of Aldrick who spends most of the year designing his dragon costume for the carnival. Through several characters, we are able to see the development of Aldrick and is told of his journey to self discovery which seems to mimic the changing Port of Spain.

This books looks at what happens to people who are trying to find themselves in a society where they may be invisible, but they are trying to carve out their own space and identity.

Earl carefully develop this story and leaves the reader feeling quite satisfied.....

As I was standing to pay for this book at the Bocas Lit Festival, a woman said to me “This is a very important book,” and after reading it, I totally agree. This is one of those books with underlining meanings that I will try to digest for quite awhile.

I wish that I had read this novel before I went to Trinidad for the lit fest, but I am hoping that my path will cross Earl’s path again so that I can ask the many questions that are floating around in my mind.

Consider adding this book to your reading list....

Next I’ll be reading The Forgotten Fifth: African Americans in the Age of Revolution by Gary B. Nash which is on my summer 2015 reading list.

Bocas Lit Festival 2015

So, you know that the entire month of April I was purposefully reading and planning for the Bocas Lit Fest. I read five novels by authors who would be in attendance.

As soon as I landed in Trinidad, I had my driver take me straight to the lit fest in order to see Shani Mootoo, the author of Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab which is one of the books that I read in preparation for the festival.

Shani Mootoo

Shani Mootoo

It was so thrilling to hear Shani reading from her book and to be familiar with the reading.

Someone asked her why did she name the book Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab, and she stated something like isn’t that the way life happens; it does not move forward in a straight line? I just loved that answer. One of the many reasons why I love her book is because it is true to life.

Well, you know that I normally read digitally, but I just happened to read Shani’s novel in book form, and I brought it with me so that she could sign it.....

Perfect beginning to the Lit Fest!

Later that same day, I was waiting in the lobby of the hotel to go out for dinner, and guess who walked through the door?

Fred A’guiar, author of Children of Paradise.

Fred and Me

Right there in the lobby, Fred was gracious enough to answer questions and talk about his book. I even asked if he would come to work with my students since he teaches not far away at Virginia Tech. He informed me that he would be moving to teach at UCLA but would more than happy to Skype with my students and me. (Heavy Favor!)

What warmed my heart is that Fred did not seem to mind answering questions, and he even allowed me to take several pictures until I got one that we both liked.

I ran into Fred quite often over the course of my stay in Trinidad, and every single time he was pleasant and nice.

On his assigned day, he read from his book, answered questions, and signed books with complete grace.

What a joy when you meet someone whom you respect, and they don’t seem to take the admiration for granted!

Fred on the panel!

Ok, Do you remember me telling you in a previous post that I was staying in the host hotel for the authors?

Yes, I was staying in the hotel with the authors, and on the second day I got up early to have breakfast and guess who was also having breakfast: Karen Lord, author of The Galaxy Game along with other speculative writers and Tiphanie Yanique, author of Land of Love and Drowning? The Galaxy Game and Land of Love and Drowning are also two books that I read in preparation for the lit fest.

Of course, I didn't want to be pushy, but the authors delighted me by allowing me to take pictures some pictures.

Authors: Karen Lord, Nalo Hopkinson, Tobias S. Buckell, and Tiphanie Yanique

TiphanieYanique and me

Us!

After breakfast, I saw Karen in the lobby, and she encouraged me to ask questions about her book.

I asked Karen how did she take her sci-fi ideas and write them in a manner that was accessible to her readers, and where did she get the ideas for her books?

Karen explained that she is a social economic researcher, and she gets a lot of practice taking complicated ideas and making them plain. She also went on to explain that she gets the ideas for her books from the things that are going on in the world....

I just loved Karen’s intense, warm personality.

Brave New World Panel discussion which included Karen Lord!

Finally, it was time to hear Tiphanie read from Land of Love and Drowning.  However, I was running late after attending another session, and I only got to hear Tiphanie answer questions.

Author Naomi Jackson, Moderator Stephen Narain,  Author Tiphanie Yanique

This session with Tiphanie was very upbeat and lively. Naomi and Tiphanie both live in Brooklyn, NY, and they had a good vibe going with each other.

Tiphanie talked about the title of her book. She was not sure if she should name the book Land of Love and Drowning, because she thought that being a woman writer and including love in the title, would cause the reader to think that her novel was just another love story. However, if you read this book, you will quickly find out that this novel is a love story and soooo much more.

Tiphanie’s personality was just as warm as her book!

Now, the last and final book that I read in preparation for the Lit Fest was A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon Jones, and he was not on schedule for the lit fest until the last day, and I would be on the way home. However, I was on a mad hunt to find Marlon Jones only to find out that he did not make it to the festival.

I was a little disappointed, but I did meet four of the five authors that I wanted to meet so, I decided to focus on the positive....

If I had to come up with a theme for this festival, it would be Community. There seemed to be a strong sense of community amongst the writers. It was apparent, through their interactions, that they were working together and supporting each other. This festival was confirmation that Community is imperative for so many different reasons.

My people, this is a literary festival that you should definitely add to your list. It was not crowded; therefore, the authors were accessible. Also, Trinidad is such a delightful place and a literary festival is a good reason to travel there. (Not that you would need a reason to travel to the lovely Trinidad)

Here are a few other highlights from the lit fest:

Author Earl Lovelace

Carolyn Cooper: columnist, broadcaster, and professor of literary
and culture studies at the UWI, Mona, Jamaica

Edward Baugh: Professor Emeritus of English, UWI, Mona

Author: Naomi Jackson

I had no preconceived thoughts about Trinidad before I got there; however, I was not expecting to fall completely in love with the land and the culture.

View from a hill

One of the hills that I climbed.

Maracas Beach

Hanging with the locals

Enjoying the view with Shannon from Reading Has Purpose

With our driver, Prince, who escorted us on our trip to the beach.

Had to get a picture of the bike lane sign. Trinidad has bike lanes.

If you made it to the end of this long post, know that I ‘preciate you, and I am happy that you came along for the journey!

In the meantime, I will be frantically searching for another Literary Festival.....

“Seize the Day."

God Uses People.....

Me and Robert

On my second day in Trinidad for The Bocas Lit Fest, I got up early, had breakfast, and heard people mention the zoo and arboretum. With a few hours to kill before I headed over to the lit festival with Shannon, I decided to ask the concierge if the zoo and the arboretum was close. Well, you know how favor is always knocking me down, the zoo and the arboretum just happened to be next to the hotel.

I decided to skip the zoo and walk to the arboretum. The arboretum was not like the national arboretum in DC, but it served it purpose. It had trees and flowers and lots of land, and I couldn’t help but to decide to sit and thank God for the opportunity to be in Trinidad.

As I was sitting, a guy, Robert, passed by and pleasantly asked if I was enjoying the arboretum, and we went on to have a small conversation.

He went to sit on the ground and stretch, and he came back and asked if I wanted to see the Island from the top of a mountain.

Now, my readers, don’t think that I just go to other countries and trample all over the place with random people. I don’t, but I do believe in intuition, and I would never do anything that did not feel right with my soul. I really believe that when we commune with God regularly, he gives us signs when there is danger and when things are all right. I got the feeling that things were all right, and we hiked some huge hills for a great reward: a breathe taking view of Trinidad.

God used Robert!

I met Robert on Thursday, and on Saturday he sent me an email to ask if I wanted to see some sites. Now, let me tell you, I was tired from a full day of thoroughly enjoying the lit fest, and I had just laid down by the pool to take a nap. However, I thought to myself, "I am in Trinidad, someone is offering to take me to see some sites, and how could I possibly pass up this opportunity?" I sent Shannon a text to see if she wanted to go, and approximately twenty minutes later, Shannon, Robert, I were off to explore Trinidad; the beauty of Trinidad is indescribable.

After many adventures, we were all like old friends and ended the night sitting in a bar enjoying good conversations, cocktails, and the big Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight.

The next morning Robert was gracious enough to take us on a scenic drive before he dropped us off at the airport.

What a great ending to perfect trip!!!

I believe that when we are open, God uses people to take care of his children. My Dad use to say that God is not going to come down here to help us; he is going to use people, and I believe this statement with my whole heart.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea that whatever we put into the universe is exactly what we get back. If you show yourself to be friendly, I believe that the universe responses and returns that friendliness.

Not the best picture, but you get the point.

God Uses People.....

I’m In Trinidad.......

I landed and hit the ground running for the Bocas Lit Fest....

I just happened to be staying in the host hotel for the authors, and they are EVERYWHERE!

The picture above was taken with Edward Baugh. “He is the Professor Emeritus of English, UWI, Mona. His scholarly and critical publications on West Indian literature include: Derek Walcott: Memory as Vision (Longman, 1978), Derek Walcott (Cambridge, 2006) and Frank Collymore: a Biography (Ian Randle, 2009). His three collections of poetry include, most recently, Black Sand: New and Selected Poems (Peepal Tree, 2013).” (BOCASLITFEST)

I am in a Reader’s Heaven! (SWOON!)

The Trinidad and Tobago Literary Festival - Bocas Lit Fest

Karen Lord, author of Galaxy Games, and she will be at the lit fest.

At the end of April, the beginning of May, I will be spending time in Trinidad for the Bocas Lit Fest.

Now, I had never thought about traveling to an international book festival, but my friend and fellow blogger, Shannon, from ReadingHasPurpose, stated that she was going, and I sort of invited myself.

Not sure what to expect from this festival, but I know that when you get writers, readers, books, and great location together, that usually creates something close to perfection.

So, to prepare for the lit fest, I am going to read five books, by five different authors who are going at be at the festival.

Below are links to the five books:

The Galaxy Game by Karen Lord

Moving Forward Sideways like a Crab by Shani Mootoo

Children of Paradise by Fred D'Aguiar

Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

Ambitious goal right?

I'll see what I can do.....