Roy Bodden’s next book, the fictional ‘Stories My Grandfather Never Told Me’ is being launched at the Harquail Theatre Saturday, 4 August.
The collection of short stories, based mainly in the Bodden Town district, uses local dialect and explores different themes. All nine tales chronicle the cadences, people and concerns of a bygone era. In fact since the stories are liberally peppered with old-time words and sayings, the author felt it necessary to add a glossary.
The stories cover a range of subjects and genres. The unifying theme is that they are intended as tales that families can read.
‘This book is suitable for readers of high school age and older,’ he advised, adding that the switch from writing non-fiction had not been a difficult adjustment.
‘Surprisingly, there has always been an element of the entertainer in me.
‘I’ve always known I’ve wanted to write short stories since my time as a teacher. When I was the principal at East End, I read West Indian short stories to my classes and encouraged the children to write stories of their own,’ he explained.
The collection is being published by Cayman National Cultural Foundation. Its initial print run of 1,000 copies will be sold locally and will feature a cover by artist Joanna Sibley, he confirmed.
CNCF’s Artistic Director, Henry Muttoo, said he saw the author’s first two books as being part of a broader literary continuum locally.
‘The current quiet revolution in the arts and culture in the Cayman Islands is re-flowering our rich culture and heritage,’ he remarked.
‘Roy Bodden, with his recent publication, ‘The Cayman Islands in Transition’ and his book of short stories, ‘Stories My Grandfather Never Told Me’ has added an authentic, experienced and learned voice to a cadre of Caymanians, including Dr. Frank McField, Leonard Dilbert and Charles D. Bush, who are plumbing the depths of their society with artistry and serious scholarship.
‘The National Cultural Foundation is pleased to be associated with their talents,’ he added.
Roy Bodden is already writing a follow up. His second book of short stories is expected to be out by the end of the year.
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