Two of the ‘Grenada 17’ releasing books

Kamau McBarnette’s book ‘My Mother
and I: The Epic Story of Grenada’.

By Linda Straker

The former revolutionaries who served time in prison for the killing of Maurice Bishop and others have turned authors and their books are said to be providing “never before revealed” information about their personal experience during the revolutionary period, which ended on October 18, 1983.

“We Move Tonight” is the name of the book authored by Joseph Ewart Layne, who was among the group that participated in the assault on the army barracks on March 13, that signalled the start of action that led to the removal of Gairy’s regime almost 35 years ago.

“I am hoping to have an E-version of the book available as soon as 15 January,’’ Layne said. “Hard copies would hopefully be available in limited amounts in Grenada from February. Thereafter, commencing from March, copies would be made available in other countries in the Caribbean and beyond.’’

Layne was among 17 government and army officials convicted in the 19 October 1983 events that led to the deaths of revolutionary Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and other Grenadians.

During his stay in prison, Layne earned two law degrees from London University and studied at Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad following his release from jail in 2009. Two weeks ago, a high court judge rejected Layne’s application to be admitted to the local bar to practise law in Grenadabecause of his jail conviction.

In “We Move Tonight,” Layne writes about what he calls the “1983 tragedy’’ and also opines about Grenada since the demise of the revolution and the subsequent invasion of the country by United States forces on 25 October 1983.

In a statement preceding the availability of the book, Layne said that copyright proceeds from the book will be used to help establish a foundation that will be “dedicated to preserving the positive memories of the Grenada Revolution through educational, cultural and social welfare work of a non-partisan nature.

The second “Grenada 17” writer is Kamau McBarnette, who noted that this extraordinary book is at one and the same time a work of “literature and of history”.

“It is told with poetic flair, in language which brings vividly to life the environment and culture of the first Grenadians, the Caribs and Arawaks, the wars of conquest and occupation of these Grenadians, and their final stand against the French at Leapers’ Hill in Sauteurs,” said the synopsis of the book which is called by “My Mother and I: The epic story of Grenada.”

The book tells the horrors of slavery, and the several wars between the British and the French for ownership of Grenada are compellingly captured. The anti-British, anti-slavery rebellion of 1795-1796, led by Julien Fedon, is narrated in nail-biting style, as are the Grenada ex-Servicemen’s riot of 1920, and the Eric Gairy-led 1951 Revolution. The1973-1974 anti-Gairy mass uprising, the 1979-1983 Grenada Revolution, and the crisis, tragedy and US military invasion, all in October 1983, are dramatically narrated.

“The author finds intriguing ways to explore the continuity, and essential unity, of all these many conflicts and struggles of its many different peoples over the four centuries of Post-Columbian history,” said the synopsis which explains that this docu-novel grabs you the attention of the readers from the opening chapters, and compels reader to keep reading to its very end.

“You can see the mountains and valleys, the trees and grass, the bays and sunsets as they are described, and feel the sea breezes on your face that McBarnette paints with arresting imagery. Likewise, you picture the chief protagonists whom he portrays in each major dramatic phase of Grenada’s turbulent history. This is a work which will bring sheer enjoyment to adults and students alike, even as it educates and inspires,” said the review.

“The book is not yet available in local stores but is likely to be next month when the official launch is expected to be held,” McBarnette said. The book is published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and is currently available online.