Guyanese Literature - by Petamber Persaud

Guyanese Literature – by Petamber Persaud

Aug 03, 2008 Features / Columnists, Guyanese Literature

‘Guyana Drums’ is a slim booklet of twenty-five poems written by six women writers: Syble Douglas, Pat Cameron, Sheila King, Evadne D’Oliveira, Mitzie Townshend, and Shana Yardan.

‘Guyana Drums’ is the first anthology of poetry in Guyana by women writers and it was born out of the need to complement the other Carifesta publication, ‘New Writing in the Caribbean’ by Seymour.

That was for Carifesta ’72.
For Carifesta X there are listed some thirty books to be launched including books written by women and on women. These thirty books cover numerous topics, inclusive of various writers from all walks and various genders, inclusive of writers from various Caribbean countries and Caribbean writers in the Diaspora. Some of the books to be launched are:

‘THE BEAR WITH A CRINCKLED EAR’ by E R Braithwaite.
‘SHRIDATH RAMPHAL, COMMONWEALTH STATESMAN, The World His Theatre’ – Essays in honour of his 80th birthday edited by Richard Bourne.

‘A HISTORY OF THEATRE IN GUYANA’ – 1800-2000 by Frank Thomasson.
‘THEMES IN AFRICAN – GUYANESE HISTORY’ by Winston F McGowan, James G Rose and David Granger.
‘SHORT AND SWEET’ by Bobby Fernandes.
‘MOLLY AND THE MUSLIM STICK’ by David Dabydeen.
‘DEATH OF A FRIEND’ by Roopnandan Singh.
‘SELECTED POEMS’ by Ian McDonald.
‘ESTEEM’ by Stephanie Bowry.
‘FICTIONS’ by Ruel Johnson.
‘THE BALGOBIN SAGA’ by Petamber Persaud.

Also listed are three recipe books and books by women writers form the Caribbean including Cynthia McLeod, Lisa Allen-Agostini, Marlene St. Rose, and Rajandaye Ramkissoon-Chen.

Such a display of literature augurs well for Guyana and the Caribbean; Carifesta X couldn’t have come at a better time for Guyana in the respect of the literary arts.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email:oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

Literary update
• Please contact this writer on matters pertaining to the BOOK FAIR, BOOK LAUNCHING & READINGS for CARIFESTA X to be staged in Guyana from August 22 to August 31, 2008

• Look out for details regarding the production of THE GUYANA ANNUAL 2008-2009; this special souvenir edition will mark Edgar Mittelholzer’s 100th birth anniversary. We are inviting short articles, reminiscences and titbits to this effect.