Once in an Island

About the Book

The story is built around a Jamaican family who chose to leave Jamaica in search of a different life in another island; ‘a small island’ as is referred to by many Jamaicans in condescension. They face challenges generated by their new environment and issues having its genesis in their own island. It is filled with intrigue, love, determination, and exposes the vagaries of our political systems. It forces us to think about our relationships with one another. It is a story about relationships in the pursuit of our greatest ambitions in life and plays on the national sentiments that exist between island nations in the Caribbean. It shows love in its several forms; love of country, love of family, love for children, love for material things and erotic love as it expresses itself passionately and basely. It exposes the legal systems, as Marlene and Richard pursues justice for their loved ones and brushes against the democratic structures as inherited from the colonizers and adapted to existing circumstances. It makes us pause for a moment as we ponder about the need to respect the rule of law. We experience a mother’s overwhelming love and ambition for her offspring as it is firmly engraved in her child’s mind and learn as we do time and again that, ‘You can find a bad egg anywhere’. The story is built on reality, but is fictitious and set in a fictitious island. This is a story for the whole Caribbean as indeed the world.

About the Author

AUTHOR BRIEF ‘Once in an Island’ 1st February 2011 Dr Alvin G Edwards is a medical doctor by profession, who has specialised in ophthalmology. He has always had a wide interest in the arts and has had formal training as an actor. He wrote a number of plays (unpublished) and acted on stage and in films. He played ‘Mr Benjamin’ in the television series ‘Paradise View.’ A native of the Caribbean, he has lived in St. Kitts, Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, Nassau, Nashville and New York while in pursuit of his profession. He has always been sensitive to the struggles of Caribbean peoples and has had a burning desire to see that their story be told. He first wrote the screen play for ‘Once in an Island’, then decided to write the book as the essence of the story on the screen, even though entertaining, had left out some of the intricacies of the commentary due to time constraints. He wanted to capture more of the lessons to be learnt from the story and to give the reader a chance to see themselves and Caribbean people in a realistic, revealing and self-reflecting light. At present he lives in Antigua, and has been practising his profession between Antigua and St. Kitts for over twenty five years. He has the propensity to talk to his patients and any person he meets, about anything that affects their lives; their successes and their failures as well as their hopes and aspirations; their love for their children and their need to be loved; the sacrifices made for the well being of their loved ones; their love of country and their pride in their island. He has heard and experienced firsthand, that generally, political sentiment is central to the lives of many Caribbean people. Dr Edwards has also been involved in many activities outside of his profession that exposes him to other aspects of Caribbean culture, which include the organizing of sporting activities, a brief sojourn in politics and Chairman of the Romantic Rhythms International Music Festival in Antigua. Through all of this he has gotten a great insight into the history and traditions of people in the Caribbean including their innermost fears and desires. Though personal information of anyone’s experience is not revealed, it is upon these revelations that the story ‘Once in an Island’ is built. The author wishes to thank all those whose stories and experiences have contributed to this story.