It is a great pleasure to have Therold Prudent with us today. She has written a thought-provoking book that gives us a glimpse of what life might be like when tragedy strikes a small community. Welcome to Reader Views.
Irene: Please give us the gist of your book Therold.
Therold: The gist of “Glory Days and Tragedy” is about the untold story of what life was really like growing up in a small Caribbean town called Gros Islet, and a heartbreaking tragedy at sea that followed. The book directly addresses the meaning of childhood innocence and friendships in their purest form, while at the same time refusing to ignore the existence of the social ignorance and religious intolerance that for the most part influenced our early perception of the good. and evil. However, as the story grows to paint a colorful picture of a way of life unknown in many developed countries and societies, it gradually comes into sharp focus the unifying sentiments of a divided community after being struck by a tragedy at sea. Six young men from the Gros Islet community are allegedly lost at sea.
Irene: You speak of social ignorance and religious fanaticism. However, that is “normal” in their society. Leaving the island and being exposed to other cultures is when I assume you realized that life could be different. Am I right in assuming this?
Therold: You’re welcome. While leaving the island and being exposed to other cultures helped me broaden my understanding of the world and strengthened my sense of personal independence, it should be noted that the process of freeing my mind from ignorance and religious intolerance began in Saint Lucia. I have a very intelligent mother who never accepted as a norm everything that was transmitted to her in society. She was, in every sense of the word, a social rebel. In fact, in the early days, when women in St. Lucia shunned politics and other social and religious issues and were too afraid to speak their minds, my mother was never afraid to speak up. From a very early age she instilled in us the virtues of always seeking the truth and standing up for our principles, even when most would laugh in our faces.
I understood then, as I understand today, that I must always show respect for the religious and political convictions of others, however far they may be from my own. Having said that, however, I do not want to leave you with the impression that social ignorance and religious fanaticism exist in Saint Lucia today. As a nation we have come a long way. We have many educated young men and women in the country who have shown that they can think for themselves.
Irene: What inspired you to write this book?
Therold: The painful nature of that tragedy, my love for Gros Islet, its people, and a lifelong desire to place our small island of St. Lucia on the world stage.
Irene: Saint Lucia is on stage, but as a tourist attraction. You are teaching the reader about the life of the local inhabitants. What reactions have you had from the locals about your book?
Therold: I am very pleased with the local reaction to my book. Judging by the many people who have taken the time to contact me personally after reading the book, the overall feeling is that I have actually presented a very compelling story that is simply not just about the tragedy that occurred, but about the forgotten memories. of what happened. life was once like St. Lucia in the old days. Also, if you will allow me for a moment to return to your statement that “Saint Lucia is on stage, but as a tourist attraction”, I would like to say that I agree. However, is that all there is to St. Lucia?
Certainly not! And so, it is for that very reason that I have decided to follow the path of educating the world that Saint Lucia is not just about sun, fun, rum, casino games and calypso. In fact, while it is true that the tourism industry plays a fundamental role in the economy, the world must also recognize that there is a local society with a very interesting history and a unique way of life. As St. Lucians, there is more to us than meets the eye of the tourist. Our local customs and traditions far outweigh the natural and physical beauty of our island.
Irene: There’s a lot of talk these days because Frey’s book is non-fiction with some, shall we say, admittedly creative additions. Her book is considered non-fiction and is based on a true story. How much creativity did you allow into your book?
Therold: None at all! In my book “Glory Days and Tragedy,” what the reader gets is an honest and candid recreation of a series of events by an author who spent years researching and putting the story together. The focus of my mission was not to embellish any part of my book, but to use my God-given abilities to write clearly, precisely, and highly descriptive to capture the reader’s interest. Also, unlike Mr. Frey, who was unable to provide any sources to substantiate some of his claims, I do have a legend of people living on a beautiful island called Saint Lucia who will undoubtedly vouch for the authenticity of “Glory Days and Tragedy” . I hope Oprah is taking note (Laughter). There are some truly heartbreaking life stories, which are not a figment of the writer’s imagination.
Irene: Of six young people who went out to sea, how many survived Calvary? And what emotional state are they in right now?
Therold: Of the six youngsters who went out to sea, only one survived. His name is Kennedy Philip, a young man I am proud to call my friend. After weeks at sea, his ship made landfall in the South American country of Columbia. Among the dead were his brother George and his first cousin Perry. Today, though memories of what happened nearly 20 years ago are still painfully fresh in his mind, Kennedy has been able, by the grace of God, to put his life back together.
Irene: How much information about the ordeal was Kennedy able to give you?
Therold: Apart from my account of what happened on land during the ordeal, the whole story of what actually happened at sea and later at Columbia came from Kennedy himself. At this time I must also mention a very good friend named Stanislaus “Nourgearo” Phulchure. He is also a personal friend of Kennedy, who took it upon himself to attempt a series of rescue missions at sea during the ordeal. In the summer of 1994, which is when I decided to start work on the book, I relied heavily on “Nourgearo” to help me piece together the events that occurred on land during the ordeal.
Irene: History is very near and dear to you. Did you have to write this book as part of your own grieving process for the loss of close friends?
Therold: Yes, I did. It was also something that I felt I owed to my childhood friend (George) who died in that tragedy. If he had not tried to write the story, the memory of him and the other children who perished at sea would be completely forgotten. I have also pledged to use part of the proceeds from the book to erect a monument to the children. I know the road ahead will be very tough, but I am a very small but tough guy who knows how to make things happen by keeping his word.
Irene: What was the main belief of the people on the island when the children did not return in a certain time?
Therold: Not many people were aware of what had happened. In fact, the news didn’t break out at all until Saturday afternoon, almost a day after the boys put to sea. Other than “Nourgearo” and a few close friends, many people were kept in the dark. However, when the news hit the streets around 4 or maybe 5 in the afternoon, crowds of people had started to gather in the streets. At first it was pure disbelief, but all this would change.
Irene: And how did they react?
Therold: I saw grown men with tears in their eyes, which touched me greatly as a teenager. Later, everyone had a story to tell about their personal experiences with each of the boys. I think it was this kind of humble atmosphere that brought the community together and helped sustain it throughout the ordeal.
Irene: Did they give up on the return of the boys?
Therold: Oh boy! As the days went by, I wouldn’t say they gave up on the boys. This was perhaps one of the saddest periods I have experienced on the island and in the town of Gros Islet in particular. But finally, with no sign of their return, there were a large number of people who seem to have gradually accepted the probability that the children perished at sea.
Irene: What was the reaction of the locals when Kennedy returned to St. Lucia after his ordeal?
Therold: Kennedy’s return to Saint Lucia was like a hero’s celebration. A large number of people had come to the airport to witness his grand entry onto the island. I wasn’t present at the airport that night, but I was one of the lucky few to sit down with him in private the next morning. To this day, that moment has continued to resonate with me. As if it were yesterday, I can still see Kennedy’s lean body and the paleness of his face as he walked up to greet me for the first time since the ordeal.
Irene: Your country of origin is Saint Lucia. Where do you live now and what inspired you to leave?
Therold: Although St. Lucia will always be my home, I live in a very quiet and charming town in Queens, New York called Laurelton. I consider it my home away from home. My main reason for leaving was to pursue a lifelong goal of educating myself. I have successfully achieved that goal and have therefore turned my attention to conquering another passion called professional writing.
Irene: There is a lot of belief in spirits and mysticism in many of the Caribbean countries. Tell us about some of the beliefs and how they are passed down from generation to generation.
Therold: (laughs) I really don’t know how to answer this question. However, I must point out that in regards to Saint Lucia (compared to countries like Haiti); belief in spirits and mysticism is not a widely recognized norm or religion in our society. Now, this is not to say that there aren’t a few people in Saint Lucia with very strong beliefs in spirits and mysticism. Instead, what I’m saying is that those who do are often very secretive about it. Therefore, it would be very difficult for me to explain how those who believe in it have been able to pass it down from generation to generation.
Irene: Thank you very much Therold. I find this conversation fascinating and would love to take more time to chat with you. However, we have to finish for now. I hope we’ve had a look at you and your book. Is there anything else you would like your reading audience to know about you or your book “Glory Days and Tragedy”?
Therold: I really enjoyed this interview and the opportunity to talk about my book and my beloved country. It was certainly a pleasure. Thank you.