Deon P. Green, Gleaner Writer

LONDON, England:

Robert Lalah, writer of the popular folksy articles that unveil the idiosyncracies and down-to-earth charm of rustic Jamaica as well as its urban centres, said he was elated at the culmination of dreams resulting in his new book.

The first-time author presented copies of the book - Roving with Lalah: Slices of Everyday Jamaica - to members of the diaspora during a soft launch at the Jamaica High Commission in London, England, last Friday.

The reception was sponsored by Jamaica National Building Society.

Conversational journeys

Titled after the weekly newspaper series published in The Gleaner on Thursdays, Roving with Lalah is a compilation of stories from conversational journeys mainly into rural districts, as well as some compositions about Jamaicans living overseas.

In an emotional presentation, Lalah said the book was the fulfilment of his father's dream to have the stories compiled.

"I take no credit for the stories. They are so captivating because it's real-life stories of the Jamaican people we all share," Lalah, 25, told the audience.

"This is really something that I dreamt about, it's a great feeling."

With some of the featured stories recounting the experiences of Jamaicans in Britain, Lalah told the crowd that they should look forward to more reportage on the diaspora there.

A story to tell

The Manley Memoirs, excerpts of which were published in The Gleaner recently, also claimed much of the spotlight at the London reception.

Author Beverley Anderson Manley, who retraced her rise to prominence as wife of Jamaica's most charismatic prime minister, the late Michael Manley, said she was inspired by the interest of many Jamaicans who wanted a peek into her personal and political life.

"I wrote the book because for a long time there were people who felt that I had a story to tell ... . It was when young people like Robert Lalah's age group came to me and said that you must write.

"I also noticed that young people from the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) and the PNP (People's National Party) were coming to me and essentially saying, 'We don't want the stories of the '70s from our parents, we want to hear it from persons who were actors at that time'," Anderson Manley explained.

Pre-order yours!

It was so great, we just couldn't resist sharing it with Jamaica all in one package. The book's almost out!

Roving with Lalah, the popular weekly feature spotlighting rustic villages and bustling townships, will hit stores islandwide in November. The title of the book is Roving with Lalah - Slices of Everyday Jamaican Life, written by the inimitable Robert Lalah.

Can't wait 'til then?

Pre-order a copy today at www.ianrandlepublishers.com.