The Vieux Fort launch of Dr. Reynolds’ newest publication, They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician, was held in Vieux Fort on Sunday 5 March 2023. Given the buzz that the book had generated since its announcement, it was no surprise that more than a hundred persons attended the launch, forcing Dr. Reynolds to reveal that in terms of attendance, this was his most successful literary event. However, what was pleasantly surprising was that many of the audience said that this was the best event of its kind that they have had the privilege of attending.
Rhyesa Joseph, the executive Director of the Folk Research Center, whom Dr. Reynolds described as St. Lucia’s most fashionable media personality, served as the host. The event opened with Grantly Charles, a product of the St. Lucia School of Music and a music teacher at the Choiseul Secondary School, rendering the national anthem on saxophone. Later in the program, Grantly serenaded the launch with an exquisite solo performance.
Pastor Wentland Paul of the Seventh-Day Adventist Faith invoked God’s blessings on the proceedings, which was very fitting considering that Pastor Paul is a long-time friend of Dr. Reynolds and an avid reader of his books, and because Dr. Reynolds was raised a Seventh Day Adventist and his father, St. Brice Reynolds, was a pillar of Seventh Day Adventism in St. Lucia and one of the founding fathers of Adventism in the South of the island. Dr. Reynolds said that Pastor Paul served as his oracle, because over twenty years ago he admonished him that his true calling was writing books and not managing bands and artist, so he should get out of the music and focus exclusively on writing. Finally, in 2020, the author took the pastor’s advice, and They Called Him Brother George is a manifestation of that decision.
The Honorable Dr. Kenny Anthony, the Vieux Fort South Parliamentary Representative and author of At The Rainbow’s Edge, officially opened the event and provided welcoming remarks that motivated the evening. In introducing the district rep, the host described him as a three-time Prime Minister and Six-time Vieux Fort South District Rep, and as the nation’s second-longest serving head of government and Vieux Fort South’s longest-serving District Rep. She also described him as fostering a kinder and gentler country, professionalizing and modernizing the civil service and national governance, and giving the nation universal secondary school education.
For his part, Dr. Anthony lauded praise on Dr. Reynolds. Of the book, he said “A tremendous accomplishment…not an overbearing effort, it was controlled, it was structured…Dr. Reynolds displayed versatility and style, his prose is smooth, elegant, even disposing, but sympathetic and respectful.” Notwithstanding, using several examples from the book and weighing in with his firsthand knowledge of some of the history captured in the book, Dr. Anthony cautioned or demonstrated that facts and interpretations can change depending on who is doing the writing and reporting.
Besides Dr. Anthony, Buffalo Odlum, a cultural activist and nephew of George Odlum, gave remarks as the representative of the George Odlum Foundation. He said that “George Odlum’s memory will be kept alive with writings like that of Dr. Anderson Reynolds (and that the book will serve as the) most fundamental catalyst that’s going to bridge the history of George Odlum between the youth and those who experienced him during his lifetime.”
Buffalo’s cousin, Yasmin Odlum, the daughter of George Odlum who lives in the Washington DC area, spoke via a prerecorded address on behalf of the Odlum family. She said the book was “A fitting addition to the small body of work on the political life and controversial legacy of one of St. Lucia’s leading political figures…an eclectic and fascinating set of standpoints, ranging from the personal to the political…the latest edition in immortalizing an uncommon man with a common touch.” She revealed that “in Dr. Reynolds’ book, there is enough evidence of the political enigma as the compilation captures unflinchingly the paradoxes, the polarizations, the promise and the potential, the peaks and the pits, that have colored and countered the life of Brother George…a wonderful initiative, a multilayer, nuanced, and multiple, faceted approach to honorable George Odlum.”
However engaging and thought-provoking the remarks, what pleased the audience the most, what to them set the event apart, was the involvement of the secondary school students. In that regard, students of the Beanfield Comprehensive Secondary school presented a fascinating dramatization of The Passing of a Great Man, a poem from the poetry collection, Phases, by multiple-award-winning poet, Modeste Downes. Not to be outdone, A-Level students of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School staged a humorous, yet gripping and thought-provoking skit—The St. Lucia Man of the St. Lucia—that involved a debate on who among St. Lucia’s most revered politicians—Sir George FL Charles, Sir John Compton, George Odlum—was most deserving of the St. Lucia Man of the Century award.
The skit and the poetry rendition were not the only drama that the secondary students stirred. Last year, as part of honoring the legacy of George Odlum, Jako Productions and the George Odlum Foundation hosted a secondary school George Odlum Essay Competition in which all twenty-five of the nation’s secondary schools were invited to submit essays on The Greatness of George Odlum. So besides serving as a book launch, Sunday’s literary event doubled as an essay contest award ceremony that turned out to be the highlight of the evening and by far the most boisterous.
Amidst congratulatory applauds and shouts, Ms. Davianne Alexander of Beanfield Comprehensive Secondary School was crowned the first-place winner, receiving a winner’s plaque, a cash prize of $1000.00, a Samsung Chrome Book Laptop, A History of St. Lucia (2012), George Charles’ memoir, The History of the Labor Movement in St. Lucia, 1945-1974, a full set of the Jako Magazine, and a full set of Dr. Reynolds books. Ms. Cyann Alfred of Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School captured second-place, and was rewarded with a cash prize of $500, a tablet PC, and a set of books and magazines. And Ms. Teia-Marie Alexander of Bonne Terre Preparatory School took home the third-place prize of $300, an Amazon Fire HD 8-inch tablet and a similar set of books and magazines.
In Dr. Reynolds closing remarks, he revealed that more so than his previous books, They Called Him Brother George was a labor of love, a public service, his gift to the nation. He said becoming better acquainted with George Odlum’s life and political career, made him a prouder St. Lucian, inspired, motivated him to keep writing, and made him more convinced of his calling as a writer. The author also revealed that the book was truly a collective or national or even regional effort, for besides his and George Odlum’s contributions, over thirty persons contributed tributes, eulogies, or analyses to the project, including Tim Hector of Antigua, Minister Romanus Lansiquot, St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Hon. Julian Hunte, Prime Minister Dr. Vaughan Lewis, and His Excellency Peter Lansiquot.
The Vieux Fort Launch was just the first leg of what, according to Dr. Reynolds, is looking like an international book tour. The second leg of the tour will be an official book Launch in Castries this Saturday 18 March at 6:30 PM at the Financial Center in Pointe Seraphine. The event is free and open to the public.
The Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip J Pierre; Dame Pearlette Louisy; and the British High Commissioner, Your Excellency Lesley Saunderson, have all confirmed their attendance, which provide an indication of the prominence of the event.
Besides the Vieux Fort and Castries launches, in continuation of the tour, Dr. Reynolds will be conducting book signings at venues around the island, readings at the island’s secondary schools, and readings at primary schools in the south of the island. And just as he did in 2017/2018 with the publication of the Stall Keeper, Dr. Reynolds plans to visit several CARICOM countries and several North American and UK cities.
They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician is all of 299 pages and has a list price of US$24.95, but is being sold in St. Lucia at EC$65.00, however, at the launch all of Dr. Reynolds’ books will be on sale for $50.00. The books are available online at amazon.com both in print and as eBook. In St. Lucia they are available at T&M (JQ Plaza, Vieux Fort), GloMart (Gablewoods South) Noah Arcade (UVF), M&C (Bridge Street, Castries), Taste of St. Lucia (Pt. Seraphine), Hallmark (JQ Rodney Bay Mall), and Books & Tinzs (Soufriere). Readers can also call (758-712-8024), text, or email (info@jakoproductions.com) Jako Productions with their order for drop-off at their preferred location.
On behalf of Dr. Reynolds, Jako Productions, and the George Odlum Foundation, we would like to say special thanks to the audience at Vieux Fort for coming out in large numbers to help honor and celebrate the life and accomplishments of George Odlum.
We would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and partners for helping to make it all possible. Special thanks to Massy Stores, DuBoulay Industries, Invest St. Lucia, Theobalds & Associates, General Security Services, Stan Joseph, Computer World, Sandals Regency Latoc, Greene Enterprises, Freezone Management Authority, Bank of St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Resort & Spa, Creative Industries, Saint Lu Woodworking, MSOLE, Cedar Productionz, Cultural Development Foundation, Export Saint Lucia, DBS Television, Choice Media Network, Helen Television, and Calabash TV. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.