Dominica is an island rich in culture and with a history that encompasses various forms of the country's transformation from colonialism to independence. African slaves, brought to the island to work on the British plantations, carried with them their various myths, beliefs, languages and art forms and these have passed down through the generations. Today they are still an integral part of this country's heritage. The characters in Mesy Kwik Kwak are used to portray some of these and other aspects of Dominican life which still have their bearing from years past. The young boys in The Stone and in The Pilgrim introduce us to the belief of Dominicans in evil spirits, the lougarou and la diabless, and the power of religion. Grandpa Was in America shows us Dominica's fixation to the American way of life and in A Father's Hope we see the widening gap between generations in the country-and there's more. So read along with Giftus as he tells his story. Mesy Kwik Kwak

Giftus Johns Ma William and her Circle of Friends recreates the idyllic life in the village of Senjo with a shopkeeper, Ma William, at its center. Her shop is a mecca of sorts; one where the villagers assemble to discuss the issues that impact their lives. John constructs an edenic landscape where communal activities such as playing mas, helping the local fishermen, attending mass, or going to a religious wake occupy center stage in the lives of the villagers. However, the impression of a settled and close-knit village is illusory. Politics fragments the community. Migration takes a toll as young and old seek supposedly greener pastures. The village is slowly changing as a result of these external forces. The reader is left to wonder whether or not these changes are indeed for the better. Written with great sensitivity and attention to local speech rhythms, Giftus Johns most recent work recreates a life which is slowly witnessing its demise. This book confirms Johns reputation as one of Dominicas finest writers. Justice Irving W. Andr Ontario, Canada Giftus John has done it again! His Ma William and Her Circle of Friends continues his great tradition of entertaining and enlightening Caribbean prose. This is a must-read for people of the Caribbean and for those who love the Caribbean or want an education in Caribbean culture. Vaughn E. James Glenn West Research Professor of Law and Director, Tax Clinic Texas Tech University School of Law Lubbock, Texas

Giftus John's Ma William and her Circle of Friends recreates the idyllic life in the village of Senjo with a shopkeeper, Ma William, at its center. Her shop is a mecca of sorts; one where the villagers assemble to discuss the issues that impact their lives. John constructs an edenic landscape where communal activities such as playing mas', helping the local fishermen, attending mass, or going to a religious wake occupy center stage in the lives of the villagers. However, the impression of a settled and close-knit village is illusory. Politics fragments the community. Migration takes a toll as young and old seek supposedly greener pastures. The village is slowly changing as a result of these external forces. The reader is left to wonder whether or not these changes are indeed for the better. Written with great sensitivity and attention to local speech rhythms, Giftus John's most recent work recreates a life which is slowly witnessing its demise. This book confirms John's reputation as one of Dominica's finest writers. Justice Irving W. Andre Ontario, Canada Giftus John has done it again! His Ma William and Her Circle of Friends continues his great tradition of entertaining and enlightening Caribbean prose. This is a must-read for people of the Caribbean and for those who love the Caribbean or want an education in Caribbean culture. Vaughn E. James Glenn West Research Professor of Law and Director, Tax Clinic Texas Tech University School of Law Lubbock, Texas"

Companion volume to our 6,000-word English-Haitian Dictionary. Contaings over 57,000 Haitian words and expressions. "There is no surer way to negate a people than to valify that which represnets their very essence: Their language. To defile the Haitian language is to defule the Haitian people."