‘Lit Circle’ celebrates Caribbean authors

Sitting in front of a full bookcase in his Boston home, Jamaican-American author Desmond Hall explained to a virtual book club in the Virgin Islands last Thursday evening how creating tension in fiction is like inflating a balloon.

“It’s once you release it that it has an effect, but if you hold it too long, it doesn’t work,” he said, miming the motions and blowing air into his microphone for the audience of almost 20 to hear.

The BVI Lit Circle, which meets remotely each month over Microsoft Teams, is organised by Rochelle Smith, director of the VI Studies Institute at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

The book club works in conjunction with the BVI Literary Arts Festival, an annual event celebrating world literature and Caribbean authors through discussions and workshops.

Last Thursday, the discussion centred around Mr. Hall’s novel Better Must Come, a young adult thriller set in Jamaica.

The book’s protagonist, Deja, is a “barrel girl” — a child whose parents work abroad and ship them clothes, food and other goods in barrels — who promises to fulfill a dying man’s wish by delivering $500,000 while avoiding a dangerous gang also in pursuit of the loot.

Real-life inspiration

Mr. Hall said his inspiration for the character came from his sister’s experience living in Jamaica while their parents worked in the US — a situation common for many children of people seeking better financial opportunities abroad.

Mr. Hall — who was born in Jamaica and raised in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York — also told stories about working for movie director Spike Lee and attending screenwriting classes taught by Robert McKee.

These experiences, he said, informed his technical approach to writing the novel.

‘I love reading’

Attendees praised Mr. Hall’s ability to blend suspense and comedy, with some pointing out moments where they laughed out loud. Others noted the realism of the characters’ dialogue, which they said mirrored how they would have reacted in the situations depicted in the novel.

During the meeting’s question-and-answer session, Patricia Henley listed the benefits of the online sessions.

“I love reading books,” she said. “I joined the book club because I like reading and it forces me now to commit to reading a book regularly. The book club has beautiful books, and the timing is perfect for discussion. I like the openness of it; I like the choice of books so far.”

Ms. Henley added that she takes her books with her to the hairdresser or to any government office.

“I think if I sit and read, it helps me not to feel that I’m being ignored or they’re not ready for me,” she said.

Getting involved

The book club is open to anyone, even if they haven’t read the book on the agenda. It is scheduled to meet monthly until June, after which further dates will be announced, according to organisers.

Ms. Smith curated the selection of books by Caribbean authors by consulting reading lists online and receiving feedback from club members.

“The attendees have primarily been college faculty and staff, along with a few [other] community members,” Ms. Smith said. “Recently, we’ve seen a significant increase in participation from the wider community. We’re also hoping to encourage more student involvement and are exploring ways to make that happen.”

Upcoming titles include works by VI author Eugenia O’Neal, Cadwell Turnbull of the United States VI, and Dominican-American writer Julia Alvarez.

‘Up close and personal’

Members said the book club plays a special role in promoting literacy by fostering a community of readers.

“Just like the Lit Fest, you get to be up close and personal with the authors,” said Felice Swapp, one of several members who thanked Ms. Smith for organising the group. “These opportunities wouldn’t happen if we were walking around some big city like London or New York. It’s so magical what we can do here. I don’t think that’s something that’s replicated in many spots around the world.”

Yvonne Crabbe said she was excited about the variety of books that members are reading.

“Getting to meet authors — amazing Caribbean writers, and regional and international authors as well — has been so inspiring,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to read more. I can never prioritise it and make the time, but being in the book club and being in the community, I’m inspired and encouraged.”