Garfield Ellis

A Jamaican father and his adult son travel across the island together in a picaresque that explores family reconciliation.

The Angels' Share

Janice Lynn Mather

Sharon Millar

Barbara Jenkins

Kevin Baldeosingh

Kevin Jared Hosein

Joanne C. Hillhouse

Dwight Thompson

Ivory Kelly

Sharon Leach

Ezekel Alan

Heather Barker

Kimmisha Thomas

"This wonderful anthology of fresh voices . . . includes writers from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago." — Booklist Akashic Books and Peepal Tree Press, two of the foremost publishers of Caribbean literature, launch a joint Caribbean-focused imprint, Peekash Press, with this anthology. Consisting entirely of brand-new stories by authors living in the region (not simply authors from the region), this collection gathers the very best entries to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, including a mix of established and up-and-coming writers from islands throughout the Caribbean. Pepperpot features the 2013 Commonwealth Prize–winning story "The Whale House" by Sharon Millar and contributions by Barbara Jenkins, Kevin Baldeosingh, Kevin Jared Hosein, Dwight Thompson, Ezekel Alan, Kimmisha Thomas, Garfield Ellis, Sharon Leach, Ivory Kelly, Heather Barker, Joanne C. Hillhouse, and Janice Lynn Mather. "The wonder in these stories is that they show Caribbean culture—the people, sounds, food, and music . . . this book will appeal to readers of Caribbean fiction and beyond." — Library Journal "One of my favorite reads of the last few months . . . sophisticated and engrossing . . . A big recommendation today for one and all." —Chicago Center for Literature & Photography "Leaps headfirst into audacious narrative water, sustaining a diversity in storytelling that's indicative of the panoply of ways to love, sin, and write about it, in these our unpredictable, conjoined societies." — Caribbean Beat Magazine "Readers are in for a treat when they open the pages to taste the mélange of literary Caribbean cuisine. Spicy and filling!" — The Gleaner (Jamaica), "Sizzling Books for Summer Reading"

Best New Stories from the Caribbean

Pepperpot

In this compelling novel, " Till I'm Laid To Rest ," Garfield Ellis' first novel with Nsemia Inc. Publishers, we meet Shirley Temple Brown a young woman who has survived some of the hardest social and political times Jamaica has seen. But now she is finally tired of just surviving, she wants to thrive and she knows she must leave Jamaica in order to do so. She makes the decision to leave Jamaica for a new start in Miami. Not long after arriving in Miami, she begins to see what the glare of the sun and the bright lights have kept hidden: elderly American retirees living out their last days in the warmth and comfort their youth never afforded them, while being cared for by complete strangers; drug dealers hungry for their slice of the American dream, sexual predators, con artists and murderers. Alone in a place where standing still is sure death Shirley is determined to succeed or be laid to rest About the Author Garfield grew up in Jamaica, the eldest of nine children. He studied marine engineering, management and public relations in Jamaica and he completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Miami, as a James Michener Fellow. He is the author of four other books: " Flaming Hearts, Wake Rasta, Such As I Have " and " For Nothing at All ." His work has appeared in several international journals, including; Callaloo, Calabash, the Caribbean writer, Obsidian III, Small Axe and Anthurium. He is a two-time winner of the " Una Marson Prize" for adult literature; has twice won the Canute A. Brodhurst prize for fiction and the 1990 Heinemann/Lifestyle short story competition. " Till I'm laid to Rest" (in manuscript form) was 1999 winner of the "Una Marson Award " for Adult Fiction. Here is what others say about " Till I'm Laid to Rest: " " "Ellis writes with grace and power." " - George Lammaing " "This story reveals much about the culture of poverty, human nature and survival ... The author handles contemporary social issues with such skill that there is no detraction from overall enjoyment. The proverb 'stealing from thieves makes God laugh' comes alive in the events. The author's sense of time and place is powerful and convincing." " - Jennifer Amoah " "Where this story is original is the way it weaves a love story with someone who is involved in illegal activities and a woman torn between whether to stay with him or leave." " - Sarah Kibaalya " "It is clear that these characters want the same things those who continue to leave their homes, families, communities and even their countries want: the chance to improve their futures. What separates us from these characters is the lengths to which they are prepared to go in order to improve their circumstances." - " Patricia J. Saunders " " "Garfield Ellis makes us see and hear people distinctly. In scene after scene character and tension are communicated in nicely nuanced dialogue."" -Mervyn Morris

Till I'm Laid to Rest

Garfield Ellis

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