Born in Manhattan and raised in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, Ivette Romero-Cesareo has always considered herself to be an islander. Her interest in exploring her family’s diverse Caribbean and trans-Atlantic roots, led her to reroute the path of her doctoral studies in French literature (at Cornell University) towards a comparative exploration of Caribbean literatures and cultures. She is professor of Spanish and Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Marist College, where she teaches Latin American literature, cultures, and cinema. Her research interests include Caribbean testimonial narrative, women’s studies, and visual arts. Her work has been published in journals such as Anales del Caribe, Callaloo, Mango Season, Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism, and Sargasso. She has co-edited two volumes with Lisa Paravisini-Gebert, Women at Sea: Travel Writing and the Margins of Caribbean Discourse (2001) and Displacements and Transformations in Caribbean Cultures (2008). Currently, she is writing a book on aesthetic responses to AIDS in the Caribbean.
Lisa Paravisini-Gebert works in the fields of literature and cultural studies, specializing in the multidisciplinary, comparative study of the Caribbean. Growing up in her native Puerto Rico, she became fascinated by the many cultural connections between Caribbean peoples despite our different histories and languages and has made that the subject of her research and teaching. She is based in the Hispanic Studies Department at Vassar College, where she is holds the Randolph Distinguished Professor Chair, and from 2009 to 2011 will direct the Environmental Studies Program. She is also a participating faculty member in the Programs in Latin American Studies, International Studies, and Women’s Studies at Vassar. She is the author of a number of books, among them Phyllis Shand Allfrey: A Caribbean Life (1996), Jamaica Kincaid: A Critical Companion (1999), Creole Religions of the Caribbean (2003, with Margarite Fernández Olmos), and most recently, Literatures of the Caribbean (2008).
Lisa has co-edited a number of collections of essays, most notably Sacred Possessions: Vodou, Santería, Obeah, and the Caribbean (1997) and Women at Sea: Travel Writing and the Margins of Caribbean Discourse (2001). Her most recent edited volume, Displacements and Transformations in Caribbean Cultures, has just been published by the University Press of Florida. Her critical editions of texts by Caribbean women writers include Phyllis Allfrey’s The Orchid House (1997) and It Falls Into Place: The Short Stories of Phyllis Shand Allfrey (2004). Her articles and literary translations have appeared in Callaloo, the Journal of West Indian Literature, the Jean Rhys Review, the Journal of Caribbean Literature, Obsidian, NWIG, Research in African Literatures and the Revista Mexicana del Caribe, among others.
Acabo de ver dos noches corridas la brillante presentacion de “Delirio Habanero” del finado dramaturgo Cubano Alberto Pedro en el Teatro Repertorio Espanol de la ciudad de Nueva York. Lo menciono en esta espacio porque ha surgido en mi una preocupacion intensisima de la falta de camaraderia de los Latinos i.e. HISPANO PARLANTES en los Estados Unidos. La hospitalidad tan presente en “nuestras culturas” tanto continental Suramericana como Caribena es a menudo no existente. Los trabajos de ambas Yvette Romero Cesareo y Lisa Paravisini-Gebert, los cuales no conocia y de lo cual me alegro inmensamente empezar a explorar sientan la base para una labor de hospitaliadad y “agape” entre nuestras culturas Latinoamericanas que estamos iniciando en la comunidad de fe Cristiana en los Estados Unidos, especialmente en Nueva York. Quisiera saber si alguien mas interesado o que ya haya iniciado labor en esta area que si se puede o pueden comunicarse conmigo lo hagan al pzez7@hotmail.com (Pedro Perez-Ortiz. Por esto estoy profundamente agradecido. Carinos a todos.
By: Pedro Perez-Ortiz on October 16, 2011
at 8:09 am
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE, MINEDGA ARCHILLA-MCNAMEE,ST.PETERSBURG,FL./OLD-TOWN, ALEXANDRIA,VA.
By: Mrs.Minedga Archilla-McNamee on October 21, 2011
at 1:54 pm
The Barbados Association of Drama Educators[BADE] held the launch of the 7th Caribbean Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, ST Lawrence, Barbados on Saturday, June 8, 2013.Some 7 countries have expressed an interest in attending. The feature address at the launch was made by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Harcourt “Harry” Husbands.We are interested in spreading news of this to the region via your blog. Please contact our Association through this address:
drama.educators.bb@gmail.com
Your interest in this worthwhile event would be appreciated.
Lucille “Icil” Phillips-Vice-president BADE
By: Lucille Icil Phillips on June 17, 2013
at 12:05 pm
Wonderful blog – from a kindred spirit
Playwright & Journalist
Juliet Gilkes Romero
By: Juliet Gilkes Romero on October 31, 2011
at 3:06 pm
We are very glad you like it.
Lisa
By: lisaparavisini on October 31, 2011
at 7:35 pm
Dear Lisa Paravisini-Gebert, I´m a big fan of your blog and follow your entries, especially because I´m a Puertorican living in Madrid. I´m a grad student in the Complutense, and I´m doing my dissertation on Caribbean Theatre. I´m want to thank you for this wonderful blog. I´m writing to you this time because I want to send you a flyer of an event we are organizing in Madrid for the difusion of latinamerican theatre in Spain. I would love to send you the information through email, but I don´t find a way of sending it to you. We have a profile in facebook, called manodeobra teatro where you can find the information on this week´s event.
I´m writing you from my facebook account so maybe it would be easier to get in touch with me in order to send you the complete information as an attachment.
Thank you in advance and for your blog,
Virginia Escobar
By: Virginia Escobar on November 13, 2011
at 8:19 am
YO discrepo respetuosamente de la opinion de don Pedro, arriba en lo concerniente a la hipotetica hospitalidad insular, borricua.
Ese mito es de antanho…Como llamarle a nuestra isla de concreto/asfalto, PUERTO RUIDO, la Isla del Encanto…i ni hablar/escribir sobre jibaros i demas…
Ambos temas discutidos en mi blog puertorrikenhadasinmostaza…Suerte i exito.
By: Antigonum Cajan on November 13, 2011
at 7:10 pm
Greetings from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Congratulations for your great work in Repeating Islands.
I am a co-founder and administrator of RICO PUERTO RICO and would like to establish contact with you about an important upcoming anniversary in Puerto Rico, in connection with someone who would be available to be interviewed (in connection to a recent post you made on this subject).
Could you please write to me at:
matanzo@post.harvard.edu
Thank you. Best regards,
Hans Perl Matanzo
By: Hans Perl-Matanzo on November 18, 2011
at 3:56 pm
Hi Lisa, just stumbled upon your blog its fantastic. I’m a photographer and have been doing a lot of work on a Vodou project in Haiti the past few years I will be in Cuba in Jan. and would love to exchange any tips you might have on seeking out santeria in Cuba. You can see some of my Haiti work here: http://neilbrandvold.com/
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Neil
nbrandvold@gmail.com
By: Neil on November 21, 2011
at 3:38 pm
address to send phisical cd
By: larrymalu on December 9, 2011
at 2:10 pm
Dear Lisa Paravisini-Gebert, please send me a contact email for you… Thank you in advance.
By: Roberto "Mukaro" Borrero on December 12, 2011
at 8:51 am
Hola Puerto Rico!
http://davecastaldo.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/hola-puerto-rico/
=)
Saludos desde Suecia,
/Dave
By: davecastaldo on December 14, 2011
at 1:36 am
Ayer 12/13/2011 en el programa de Silverio Perez Radio Isla a las 3 PM de Lunes a Viernes se invite a una persona diciendo que hubo un error en lo respecta al Homenaje de Tite Curet del Banco Popular ellos dijeron que habia una cancion de Genaro Alvarez y que la cancion no era de Tite Curet…podra haber un error y que el Banco Popular no lo dice me gustaria saber cual es el error…Gracias
PS: era algo tambien del titulo de CD o DVD que segun ellos Sono, Sono es de Genaro…
Gracias mil espero su contestacion si es possible…
By: Roberto Lopez on December 14, 2011
at 3:15 pm
I really like your blog and your work esp what you have written and shared about Haiti. I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award here.
http://aspoonfulofsuga.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/my-rise-to-power-begins-my-nomination-for-the-versatile-blogger-award/
By: mrmarymuthafuckingpoppins on January 10, 2012
at 5:23 pm
Thank you so much. That is so very kind.
Lisa
By: lisaparavisini on January 10, 2012
at 7:37 pm
Saludos Ivette,
Artist/photographer ADÁL and photography collector and architect Luis Gutierrez will hold a dialog entitled, “Double Vision” on the state of photography in Puerto Rico to take place at the Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 P.M. A book launching of ADÁL’s new book entitled, “Falling Eyelids” will follow the presentation. More information at Art Slant Worldwide: http://www.artslant.com/ew/events/show/199621-double-visionfalling-eyelids-a-lecture-and-book-launching-with-adl-and-luis-gutierrez
By: ADÁL on January 30, 2012
at 4:29 pm
New Play about Hemingway
THE SAFARI
by Lucia Adams ©
In 1934 a famous American author fulfills a lifelong dream to go on a hunting safari in East Africa. Ernest Hemingway, accompanied by his girlfriend Jane Mason, has retained Baron Bror von Blixen, former husband of Isak Dinesen, as his white hunter.
Hemingway, brims with blood lust to kill a male lion in Act One, the ultimate personal achievement. Bror Blixen, a poor aristocrat, lives in the bush and must hunt to earn a living disdaining the publicity hound writer. In Act Two Hemingway is revealed as a coward, somewhat gender-conflicted, despite all the braggadocio and posturing in the previous act. He breaks the game laws to avoid being attacked by a lion. He and Blixen agree that they will say Hemingway shot and killed a lion, though Blixen, always anxious to please a client, actually did. The baron also utilizes his double cot to entertain Jane. In Act Three, after losing a boxing match to Blixen, Hemingway breaks down and reveals his true self, his self doubts, his fears, and the lie he has been living.
The play takes place in a 24- hour period in the African bush near the Serengeti with Kilimanjaro clearly in the distance. The scenarios are similar to those described in The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber , fictionalized accounts of Hemingway’s personal obsessions. The Safari is a language-drive tour de force, using actual spoken and written words of Hemingway, Blixen and Mason. Juma, the fourth character in the play, a Kenyan game scout and gun bearer provides another dimension to the colonialist safari experience. Further information: 312-640-9117; lgadams1@gmail.com
By: Lucia Adams on February 7, 2012
at 11:55 am
Saludos Mi Gente,
Great to find you! This work resonates deeply with my artistic vision as a choreographer. I look forward to connecting more with this community. I already recognize some friends who have posted here. I am writing about my research in Dominican Gaga/Rara and performance ethnography for a Masters of Fine Arts program and would be grateful for any literature, dissertations or articles you might point me to. ¡Ashé!
By: Sita Frederick/Areytos Performance Works on February 17, 2012
at 9:46 pm
Thanks for your wonderful blog! Great work!!
Here’s a petition I think would be worth commenting on if you can; please help us spread the word about this through this blog! Here’s the deal:
The THA (Tobago’s House of Assembly, the local government body in the island of Tobago) has plans to cut down an ancient ceiba (silk-cotton tree) alleging it’s undermining the road next to it (Northside Road, in Runnemede), which is absurd; that portion of the road can easily be deviated or re-routed.
The petition’s link is as follows: http://www.change.org/petitions/tobago-house-of-assembly-reconsider-any-plans-to-destroy-the-runnemede-silk-cotton-tree
Thanks for any help you can give these people who are trying their best to save this work of wonder from nature!!!
Best,
taí
By: tfdez on February 27, 2012
at 9:28 am
Hi, I recently completed an article with Featureworld in January 2012 regarding a shark taking my camera from me. I accidentally used a photo belonging to Steven Anderson of http://www.stevenandersonphotography,com breaking a copyright infringement. I accept full liability for this error Featureworld were not to blame, however can you please arrange for your article to be updated with the correct details on the sharks mouth/head shot only to be accredited to Steven Anderson or please remove this image from your article straight away. Your assistance in this matter would be very much appreciated.
Russ Easton
By: russ easton on February 28, 2012
at 6:02 pm
Greetings:
I am very excited to find out about your work and have information to share with you. Please check out my website: http://www.womenofcolorday.com which has some of the history of March 1st as Women of Color Day which was founded 27 years ago by the now inactive National Institute for Women of Color of which I was a board member for 11 years. After NIWC ceased operation, I established the International Association for Women of Color Day to promote Women of Color Day observations. To date, it has been observed in 23 states and 5 other countries. On that site, you will also see information about my book, “The Constructive Extermination of Women of Color: Consequences of Perpetual Socio-Economic Marginalization.” which includes 16 essays from my Women of Color column in blackcommentator.com. I am also a singer, songwriter and bandleader of The Jazz Generation with 11 CDs. My other books are poems, stories and essays.. Here are some additional webpages with related information: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Women-of-Color-and-Our-Allies/163848467029530
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003018176564
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlMaHjQw2_U
http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/c3V6YW5uZSBicm9va3M d/%30
http://www.gigmasters.com/jazz-band/Suzanne-Brooks-The-Jazz-Generation/
http://www.ercregistry.com/index.a4d?action=search.mini
FYI: My great grandmother was born and raised in St. Thomas, USVI. I lived with her and my great grandfather for the first 4 years of my life which I am sure is responsible for my love of islands. She also spoke Spanish, as do I. So much to share. I hope we can start a lasting dialogue. My dissertation, some of which I included in the bookm is “Racism and Sexism in Higher Education: The Autoethnograph of an Activist.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Brooks
Sacramento, CA
By: Suzanne Brooks on March 12, 2012
at 12:32 am
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been following your blog for some time now, and I’ve nominated you as “Versatile Blogger”s.
By: Margaret Mair on March 16, 2012
at 12:35 pm
A newfound friend who was advertising a reunion from our mutual high school subscribes to your website. As I browse, it occurs to me that this site is very artistic, spiritual and insightful. Therefore, I would like to become part of your community via email and/or FB. Muchisimas Gracias!
By: Carmen J. Gonzalez on April 7, 2012
at 1:19 pm
This is a great blog. Would you be interested in reviewing/featuring the new Caribbean anthology Beyond Sangre Grande from TSAR Publications.Could you send me your contact information at inquiries@tsarbooks.com
By: TSAR Publications on April 13, 2012
at 12:25 pm
http://www.puertoricocity.com
Puerto Rico City, a novel, published.
By: matzbravo on April 22, 2012
at 5:04 pm
Thank You for the information. I am a newborn baby writer. I write in Spanish.
Also I want to share with you my new book. I finished and published at barnes and noble as a ebook.
If you want to see go to
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
The title is Un Regalo Secreto.
The author Nelly Nazario
The story is about a girl call Catalina who recently moved to a small town in where live an strange woman that nobody knows anything. The woman is excluded from society except for the recent arrival girl Catalina. Between both creates a strong bond of friendship. Catalina receives from enigmatic woman a very peculiar gift that will not only help her purpose in life and but that reveal their destination.
I really appreciate found your blog because have great information to helped me a lot to grow up in the letters world.
I love the Spanish but I hope someday writing my books in English too.
By: nazarioartpainting on April 29, 2012
at 6:56 pm
I’ve noticed several book reviews on your entertaining website. I’d like to bring to your attention my collection of short stories, Calypso: Stories of the Caribbean:
Love and loss, sex and skullduggery, conquests, failures, foibles – these are the elements of calypso, the stories in song that personify the islands of the West Indies. These 15 stories seek to entertain, amuse, and poke fun at everything from inept scoundrels, errant spouses, and star-crossed lovers to those of us who think we have a corner on reality.
You can find out more about it on my website http://richarddaybell.wordpress.com/calypso-2/ or at
http://www.amazon.com/author/richarddaybell
I hope you’ll be interested in taking a look. Thanks.
By: Richard Daybell on May 2, 2012
at 11:11 am
Great blog! Would you be interested in hosting a Caribbean Author as part of a Virtual Book Tour? Author Giftus R John is hosting his first VBT starting this week. You may check it out at http://www.giftus.wordpress.com/events and let us know.
By: Savvy Virtuals on May 14, 2012
at 8:38 pm
Ms Romero posted on June 2010 an article on a second cousin of mine, Benito deJesus, composer who died at age 97. I have very little information about this side of my family. Can you please help me make contact with his son Charlie de Jesus quoted in the article? My father is Miguel DeJesus Rodriguez (deceased) his cousin who resembles him immensely. His mother was Juana Rodriguez and father Jose DeJesus.
By: Hortensia DeJesus on June 12, 2012
at 3:28 am
Estimada Ivette Romero,
Compartiendo el lanzamiento de un nuevo título puertorriqueño del 2012. Prostíbulo de la palabra de Benito Pastoriza Iyodo. Por favor compartir con otros lectores puertorriqueños.
Gracias,
Leslie Smith Castellano
By: Leslie Smith Castellano on June 28, 2012
at 5:27 pm
Hola,
Ms. Romero, no se si te acordaras de mi, pero creo que si, lo que te pido es que me mandes un correo, lo puedes hacer al Dennis222666@yahoo.com. Va disculpar que uso este medio nunca escribi en un blog pero solo te encontre aqui. Nos conocimos en Cornell hace tanto tiempo, como me afectaste en aquellos tiempos, pero bueno, me hice ingeniero, estuve trabajando en el exterior ya unos 20 anyos, gane y perdi millones, y ahora me encuentro en Texas…por ahora. Bueno, espero que podamos compartir una amistad. Que chistoso lo de Poughkipsie, tantas veces he estado alla y ni sabia, es que tenemos una casa cerca de alla, no es mia, es de la familia, queda entre Cold Springs y Carmel. Ah…y por si no sabes quien soy…te acordaras de una fiesta en una casa, de un joven tan torpe, que ni supo aceptar unos chocolates que le ofreciste jajaja. Bueno, me despido, respetuosamente y con carino, chau.
By: Dennis Waller on December 14, 2012
at 5:21 pm
Book Review: Barrel: Soul of a Migrant by Brij Goberdhan
Published on May 14, 2012
Print Version
Author Brij Goberdhan has released his second book and first novel. In this new adult short novel, “Barrel: Soul of a Migrant” the untold stories of illegal migrants will resonate in the depths of the reader’s soul for there is a “Barrel” in each of our lives. The issue of immigration, especially illegal immigration is front and centre and there may not be a more opportune time for release of this book.
This is a powerful, soul stirring story we can all relate to about an illegal immigrant who leaves Trinidad in the Caribbean and its social and cultural injustices on a journey to Canada to seek hope for a better future and redemption for his family’s shame. It explores the mix of politics and culture, race and social stigmas and continues with the main character’s attempt to relocate his entire being to look for answers in another country.
It offers a somewhat controversial perspective of Caribbean life and immigrants with a vivid introspect of social and cultural challenges; norms and curses. Enlightening, inspiring and hilarious it is a painful yet heartening insight of life viewed through the uniqueness of Caribbean literature.
The main character “Barrel” (you will learn in the book how he got this name) is a desperate refugee from Trinidad running from the shadows of his past, into the darkness of his future, with loneliness as his companion and tormentor. Fed up with the suffering his family endured from an abusive father on a daily basis, and frustrated with the injustice in his country committed by those intoxicated with the arrogance of power, he flees in search of answers and a way to redeem his family and restore their dignity.
He shares this journey with Khakaa: wise and cynical, always ready to challenge your intellect with his seemingly sheer lunacy, outrageous wit and years of raw immigrant experience, and Bharat, a friend when needed who received Barrel into the twilight zone of illegal immigrants, taking him under his wing, guiding, encouraging and cementing their friendship and finally Dougla, a character who often defied understanding with his unique outlook on life. Together, these characters show that life is what you make it and if you don’t make it, that’s life.
Many of us can relate to this journey, which in the book begins so long ago in the crossing of the “Kala Pani.” Coming from great distances, our old towns and villages come alive again in this story flooded with memories.
Brij was born in Sangre Grande, Trinidad, and attended both Avocat Vedic, San Fernando Boys Government primary schools, and Naparima Boys College. In 1992 he migrated to Canada. He has worked in the property and casualty insurance industry from 1979 to present and writes professional course materials for the industry. In addition he is the author of “Jewels For Children,” a children’s book based on character education and values. This book resulted in two awards. The first was from the National Library and Information System Authority, Trinidad and Tobago for First Time Author. The second was a Citizen’s award from the City of Brampton, where he has lived since coming to Canada.
The book is self published with the paper-back version being available at https://www.createspace.com/3841550 and the e-book version on Amazon’s Kindle site.
Reads: 1176
By: Brij Goberdhan on July 2, 2012
at 9:10 pm
This blog open another field – the one Islands. I’m from Curacao and I do Arts, scribble down my community-feelings and do healing works. Ivette, like to read ‘transformation in Carib…’ and Lisa, just finished a workshop Callaloo creative writing (poems/prose in June ( very intensive and tough) Like to stay in contact here. Thanks- nice occasion and love to read more about you guys as well.
By: asyltje on July 13, 2012
at 10:48 am
Happy birthday to Edouard Glissant today, September 21!!!!! This Sunday we celebrate John Coltrane’s birth and remember Puerto Rico’s grito!!!!!!
By: david j. labiosa on September 21, 2012
at 8:23 am
Hi Lisa,
This is a great blog and it is lovely to see an online resource for all things Caribbean. However, I am a little disconcerted to see almost an entire article cut and pasted from our website onto your blog, without permission. Granted you have put a link to the article on our website but since you have posted most of the article on your site there is hardly a reason to follow the link. Please note that all content on our site is copyrighted as per the footer notice. If you wish to retain the article on your blog then please use the first paragraph only and then link to our site. Thank You.
By: Deborah Gbriel on October 2, 2012
at 11:18 am
Thank you both for this “Recaíto”.
By: Kahlil C. on November 24, 2012
at 9:24 am
When will the festival del merengue in santo Domingo take place for year 2013? Where will it be, we are trying to book reservations to be there then.
By: Hernandez on January 2, 2013
at 7:56 pm
Dear Lisa
I’m french author and my second essay is on Rubirosa (preparation). I’m not very gifted for foreign languages..but I will know your works at that time. Quaterly? book as soon in library? Regards – CM
By: CM. on January 28, 2013
at 10:08 am
Book Review: LONG TIME WALK ON WATER by JOAN BARBARA SIMON
Centuries on from the discovery of her beloved island in the sun, Emily Thompson, Rose to her friends, emigrates to the motherland, England, in search of a better life for her two young children, whom she is forced to leave behind. One day they will finally be able to join her and choose from a dazzling array of possibilities. Till then, it’s hard work for the young mother in this rich man’s country; not only must Rose scrape the money together for a new life, but she must also come to terms with this unknown phenomenon, di Hinglish dem.
James Dunbar. Jack is what he answers to. Even from his poky council flat on the seventh floor he can see all too clearly that the streets of London are most definitely not paved with gold. Picking his way through the mucky incidents of life, he consoles himself that things will get better: his kids won’t turn into ruffians and go smashing up other people’s property. One day they’ll all live in a house with a garden. No graffiti anywhere in sight, and no dog shit on the pavement, either…
They happen to meet at a bus-stop, Emily and Jack. She no want ave notting to do wid im: fishy-eyed white man what can she possibly have to say to him, or him to her? Yet their meetings do seem to contain a glint of that something better they are both looking for, if only they had the courage to reach out and touch it…
An account of the black immigrant experience jostling to find its place among the white working class. A tale of how the humble live whilst waiting for their dreams to come true. A virtuoso performance in which the protagonists slip in and out of names like garments to the same measure that Time shifts like the plates of the earth, Long Time Walk on Water is, above all, an unforgettable love story: the story of a mother’s love and the price her family must pay for generations to come.
*
Joan Barbara Simon (Ph.D.) is a Black-British novelist and researcher, with origins in Jamaica and St Vincent. She has written two novels, a collection of poems and short stories, and has edited numerous anthologies. See website for more details: http://www.joan-barbara-simon.com
LONG TIME WALK ON WATER: 5-star ratings at Amazon (UK, US)
beautifully written. Joan Barbara Simon is a wordsmith par excellence.’
The Sunday Gleaner
‘The most beautiful writing I have ever read.‘ Christiane S, France
‘The book is at times funny, poignant, erotic, unbearably sad, excruciatingly painful – but overall, it’s life affirming. It’s rich, complex and beautifully written. It is something unlike anything I’ve read before – and yet it’s recognisable and resonant – because all of life is in it. An absorbing and affecting read.’
online review: http://www.amazon.co.uk
‘In some ways this is very different from the same author’s Mut@tus, which is one of my very favourite books. Where Mut@tus is a very inward-looking tale of one woman’s self-discovery, Long Time Walk on Water has an epic sweep that takes us on a global voyage where Mut@tus takes us on a journey through the soul. Yet look closer and the stamp of Simon’s writing is clear. The exquisite interweaving of narratives, the way she captures the moments of realisation, actualisation and passion that pepper her characters’ lives. And like Mut@tus this is, at base, a journey of self-discovery, beautifully crafted, and one that will leave the reader as changed as Simon’s characters. Highly, highly recommended.’
online review: http://www.amazon.co.uk
By: joan barbara simon on January 31, 2013
at 10:42 am
Wanted to share an post from ACU|BIEN (www.acubien.com)
A West Indian “Bad gal” became an icon, seemingly overnight – a star that shines bright like a diamond. Neither delicate nor timid, her self-tagged “bad bitch” persona commands attention and is a statement of intent of her ambition for galactic domination… but this is not about Robyn Rihanna Fenty, it is about women like her.
The Bad Girl Club is a fellowship of the ‘gentle sex’ who are pioneers of their time – feisty warriors who persevered, survived, crisscrossed lines, challenged social order, and escaped unthinkable conditions to accomplish dreams, missions and ambitions. Tooled-up with an arsenal of intellect, sexuality and the art of manipulation they changed the world around them, making history as bad girl revolutionaries.
Full article here:
http://www.acubien.com/badgirl/
Many thanks
By: acū|bien on February 6, 2013
at 7:34 pm
Loved the article and will re-post! Many thanks, IR
By: ivetteromero on February 10, 2013
at 2:02 pm
IR. Many thanks. It seems to be stirring a positive discourse!
By: acū|bien on February 10, 2013
at 2:11 pm
I was fascinated to read about George Bigio and the Jewish community in Haiti. I will be staffing an educational trip that falls over Passover this year and wanted to contact Mr. Bigio about that trip. I wonder if you still have contact information where I might try to reach him or could provide you with my request and you could contact him on my behalf.
By: Brad Short on February 8, 2013
at 9:45 am
i am business man want to visit Dominican Republic for business purpus any body help me humanitybest@yahoo.com
By: Rafi Ahmed on February 9, 2013
at 9:41 am
Dear Lisa, I love the kite image and would like permission to use it in an advert for a university kite flying event, please could you send me you email contact details if I need to ask formal permission! Many thanks, Sarah x
By: Sarah on February 23, 2013
at 8:02 pm
I kindly wanted to share the latest post from ACU|BIEN
(www.acubien.com) titled: “[No] Man’s an Island”
Extract:
“Once we accepted our intrinsic nature for the bon voyage, without compromising our dignity, perceptions shifted. We have negotiated countless barricades and now more than ever we are defined by our ambitions and not solely by our history. Today, in leaving our communities, whether conscious or not, every single West Indian, Islander or Caribbean national in the global diaspora is an ambassador of a new order for our diverse Caribbean selves. We have become The Island. From that moment, what we say and how we say it; what we do; and how we move, is sensational. Our pride, vivacity, our food, music and our character make us unique, setting us apart.”
Full article here:
http://www.acubien.com/nomanisland/
Many thanks
By: acū|bien on March 1, 2013
at 1:48 pm
Thank you so much. We will certainly re-post. I also sent you an email message. IR
By: ivetteromero on March 2, 2013
at 3:19 pm
What a resource this website is. I discovered Repeating Islands after searching for more online information about Earl Lovelace and found an interview right here at your site. I am a literary and visual artist (stories, poems, paintings and illustration) of Jamaican and Antiguan descent based in New York City looking to connect with more artists, writers and educators in the Diaspora. I write and illustrate Goatwaterstrip, a Caribbean dream carnival cartoon, and publish a new page on my website 1-2 times per month. For anyone who’d like updates, links to the latest page and to learn more about The Goatwater Project, feel free to join my e-mail list. I’ve just subscribed to this website and look forward to returning on a regular basis. Best wishes.
Latest Goatwaterstrip: tiffanyosedramiller.com/goatwaterstrip18.html
Website: tiffanyosedramiller.com
Tiffany Osedra Miller
Bassa Bassa Arts
By: Tiffany on March 11, 2013
at 7:31 pm
Loved your blog and will follow….
By: ottomandandy on March 27, 2013
at 4:11 am
If you are interested in literature from the diaspora, my novel Long Time Walk on Water tells the tale from an Anglo-Caribbean perspective. The book is soon to be reviewed by a top UK celebrity magazine. For a foretaste see:
http://bit.ly/YXoAlg
By: joan barbara simon on April 5, 2013
at 10:13 am
Hi Lisa,
Really enjoyed reading your blog these couple of weeks, as we’ve found value in getting information about the upcoming Caribbean film festivals and your indepth analysis on the respective Caribbean culture.
Looking forward to potentially collaborating on each others websites or more.
Regards,
caribBEING team
By: caribBEING on April 9, 2013
at 10:16 pm
Dear Lisa,
Love this blog! I love the way you consider the Caribbean as a whole.
I created the Black history timeline in the UK Guardian that you can see here:
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/10/13/blackhistorytimline1.pdf
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/10/14/blackhistorytimeline2.pdf
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/10/15/blackhistorytimeline3.pdf
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/10/16/blackhistorytimelinepart4.pdf
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/10/22/gdn_081017_fg1_2_20956585-1.pdf
You can see more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/blackhistory
I also did a wall chart about the history of the Caribbean and how on CLR James you might find of interest.
Look forward to more posts from you.
All the best
Gaverne
By: gaverne on May 1, 2013
at 4:29 am
Congratulations, Islanders!
I have nominated your blog for the Interesting Blog Award.
More about this nomination is at
http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/interesting-blog-award-thanks-shaun/
By: petrel41 on May 12, 2013
at 10:51 am
U gebruikt op uw blog een foto van Helmin Wiels, waarop copyright berust.
U mag deze foto eenmalig gebruiken, maar dan dient u wel aan bronvermelding te doen. In dit geval: Persbureau Curaçao
mvg
Dick Drayer
5187599/persbureau.curacao@gmail.com
By: Dick Drayer on May 13, 2013
at 6:47 am
The Ernest Hemingway Museum at Finca Vigia, in coordination with the Hemingway Chair of the International Institute of Journalism and the Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council, announce the 14th International Ernest Hemingway Colloquium to be held June 20th to 23rd, 2013, in Havana, Cuba. The purpose of the event is to promote the exchange of information among similar specialists and institutions related with the Ernest Hemingway Museum and to discuss the most recent research of the life and work of the writer. In addition the Colloquium will commemorate the 90th anniversary of Hemingway’s first published work, “Three Stories, and Ten Poems,” and the 60th anniversary of his Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Michael Connors’ presentation is sponsored by Fundacion Amistad, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to foster mutual understanding and respect between the peoples of the United States and Cuba.
Dr. Connors serves as a board member of Fundacion Amistad. To advance its mission Fundacion Amistad sponsors educational exchanges and programs, research projects, and community outreach initiatives that deepen the American and Cuban peoples’ knowledge and appreciation of each other’s culture, history, and society.
If you would like more information on attending the Ernest Hemingway Colloquium please contact:
dr.mconnors@yahoo.com
By: Michael Connors on May 30, 2013
at 9:45 am
I read this blog every day and felt it was about time to let you both know what a tremendous resource it is. Thank you!
By: Zoya Kocur on June 3, 2013
at 7:28 am
Thank you so much, Zoya. I am encouraged by your kind words. Lisa
By: lisaparavisini on June 3, 2013
at 7:13 pm