“Caribbean Writers on Teaching Literature” - a treasure for lovers of literature

                                                Authors Lorna Down and Thelma Baker 

Excerpt from Observer column published in Jamaica Observer 20 Sept 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Last Monday, the UWI Press launched a publication which promises to be a mainstay for teachers of literature, Caribbean Writers on Teaching Literature”, which is authored by brilliant educators Dr Lorna Down and Thelma Baker. 

The book features interviews with teachers of three generations; readers at the event were Professor Edward Baugh, legendary poet and retired UWI lecturer, Dr Brian Heap, Director of the Phillip Sherlock Centre and author, Samuel Soyer, lecturer and author and Dr. Aisha T. Spencer, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at UWI, Mona. Prof Baugh spoke of his performative style which I remember well: I still cannot read Walcott without hearing his voice.

In their enthusiastic telling of their teaching practices, we see the care and creativity of the eighteen educators. What a delight to read the witty interviews, including some with my teachers and colleagues, Professor Emeritus Maureen Warner Lewis, Dr Velma Pollard, Professor Emeritus Mervyn Morris, David Williams and the late Dr. Victor Chang. Dr Chang said he dressed in full red to teach ‘The Scarlett Letter’!

I predict that this book will be translated into myriad languages for not only teachers, but also for lovers of literature worldwide.