DISCUSSION - "The Pirate's Daughter" by M. Cezair-Thompson

[Magician]

Re: Questions for the author of "The Pirate's Daughter"

<span style='font-size: 14pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>Welcome back Miss Cezair-Thompson!!</span></span>

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/proud_jamaica.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/proud_jamaica.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/proud_jamaica.gif[/img]


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've always known about the Maroons. I went to high school in Jamaica and studied West Indian history for O and A-Levels. Over the years I've continued to be interested in the Maroons and to read up on them. For this novel, I went back to some of my former high school history books. I should add that while I read up particularly on the Portland Maroons I didn't attempt to portray any particular group or town. With the character Oni, I wanted the opportunity to bring the Blue Mountains into the novel. </div></div>

I enjoyed the character of Oni, the mystique and beauty of the Blue Mountains, and the wisdom and inspiration that Oni's recurring theme added to the novel. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

It's also nice that many of the characters died in the story, Oni survived them all, and was a pillar of stability and wisdom in the story.
Good judgement on that! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/notworthy.gif[/img]

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SandiF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ms Thompson... Did you get permission from Errol Flynn estate to write a fictional story with him as one of the main character? Was permission needed or sought? How much of what you wrote about Errol Flynn himself was indeed fact? </div></div>
Legally, I didn't need permission. However, just as a matter of courtesy, I was careful not to include the names of any living relatives, and I tried my best not to say anything that would be offensive. Flynn has been the subject of many tabloid articles and books for years. I didn't want to merely repeat or exploit that but rather to give a more full, and human portrayal of him.

[Magician]

Re: DISCUSSION - &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot; by M. Cezair-Thompson

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi, I'm the author & I'm on line, but having trouble navigating the online discussion. I've replied to some questions but instead of appearing under the questions, my replies are appearing at the end of the discussion. Can anyone help with this? Thank you.
Margaret </div></div>

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DISCUSSION - "The Pirate's Daughter" by M. Cezair-Thompson
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[Bizzy]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

Welcome

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SandiF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ms Cezair, another well done novel... loved it!

Why Errol Flynn? His role seemed so insignificant.

</div></div> Glad you enjoyed it. Why Errol Flynn? Because he actually was there in Port Antonio and because he's a symbol of several things that were meaningful to the novel: a glamorous world beyond Ida's isalnd-life, a symbol too of the white male adventurer hero that has figured in so much of our history. I was also playing a bit with the idea of merging the historic white absentee-planter (plantation owner) and absent-father, again an icon in Jamaica's history. In other words as white, male & wealthy (but also "absent" from May's life) he symbolized an important aspect of our colonial past - the paternal role England played in the life of its colonies as a metaphorically absent-father. Do you see what I mean?

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are vivid and detailed descriptions of Navy Island in the novel. Did you spend a lot of time doing research on Navy Island? Is there really a white bougainvillae bush there that sparked your imagination? </div></div>

I actually enhanced Navy Island in my descriptions; it's not quite as lush or hilly as it appears in my novel (poetic license).
I spent some time in Port Antonio but not on Navy Island itself. I read a lot on its history however and found it fascinating. If there's a white bougainvilla there, then I'm going to take up a new career as a psychic. No, really I imagined that. I allowed my imagination to take over when it came to most things on the island. I did have some lovely pictures of Navy Island around me as I was writing.

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of "The Pirate's Daughter"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I see some similarities between the characters from THOP and TPD. Apart from overlapping time periods, the nature of the characters favours.
Ida, in her middle ages somewhat resambles Monica. For example, Monica was the last person in Jamaica to get grillwork around her veranda.
"I can't imagine burglar bars at Bella Vista," Ida said. "I would rather get a rifle and learn how to shoot than shut myself in like that." (p.329)

Also Paul and Derek have some things in common. Both are the best friends and confidantes of the main female characters, and seem to be best suited for them, but always end up just friends.

Q's:

<ul>[*]Did some of the characters cross over from THOP, or are they just the common Jamaican characters from that era, and perhaps today as well?

Since your readers grew accustomed and like some of the characters from your two novels, would you entertain the idea of them playing minor roles in your next novel?[/list]</div></div>


It's gratifying to hear that my readers get so involved with my characters and would like to "meet" them in the future. Thank you. I didn't consciously try to recreate similarities between the characters of the 2nd novel and the 1st. It's true that in my work, as in the work of many authors, you begin to see certain patterns that probably have to do with things in my own life, people I've known, or particular concerns and interests of mine. I'd like to write a sequel to THOP with some of the same characters.
Thank you for this question.

[Magician]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If there's a white bougainvilla there, then I'm going to take up a new career as a psychic.</div></div>

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> With a good telescope, she would be able to see Cuba's Sierra Maestro or, turning slightly east, the sea passage to the Atlantic. (p. 390)A so? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

According to my good-good 1:1,000,000 scale aeronautical chart of the Caribbean [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] the distance from Navy Island to the highest point of the Sierra Maestro (elev. 6542ft) is:
111nm / 128 statute miles / 206km

The distance from Navy Island to Punto Caleta (passage to the Atlantic) is:
160nm / 184 statute miles / 296km

Now I know you can see Cuba from a good hill. But from sea level?
Miss Thompson, beg yuh tell mi what telescope you've got! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img] </div></div>

Thanks for your question. I always assume there will be fact-checkers. May is actually supposed to be at an elevation when she says this, not at sea level.

[Magician]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd like to write a sequel to THOP with some of the same characters.</div></div>

Yes!!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/bannana_purple.gif[/img]

Unu hear dis?
THOP sequel a soon come! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]

[MCT]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Juss_ILP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Many people that I have talked to about the book seem to think that they theme of "forgiveness" is prevalent. I dont think that many of the characters forgave each other, per se. I do believe that they just came into growth and understanding. Can you speak on the issue of forgiveness with your characters? </div></div>
A lovely question, one I haven't had before. While I like to leave these interpretations mainly to the individual reader, I can say that self-forgiveness is a theme that interested me, moreso than forgiving others. Forgiving oneself, taking responsibility. Does that help answer your question?

[Magician]

Re: Questions for the author of "The Pirate's Daughter"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> With a good telescope, she would be able to see Cuba's Sierra Maestro or, turning slightly east, the sea passage to the Atlantic. (p. 390)A so? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

According to my good-good 1:1,000,000 scale aeronautical chart of the Caribbean [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] the distance from Navy Island to the highest point of the Sierra Maestro (elev. 6542ft) is:
111nm / 128 statute miles / 206km

The distance from Navy Island to Punto Caleta (passage to the Atlantic) is:
160nm / 184 statute miles / 296km

Now I know you can see Cuba from a good hill. But from sea level?
Miss Thompson, beg yuh tell mi what telescope you've got! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img] </div></div>

Thanks for your question. I always assume there will be fact-checkers. May is actually supposed to be at an elevation when she says this, not at sea level. </div></div>

Makes sense. I think the notion that you can 'see the mountains of Cuba', especially during the 'War' (Bay of Pigs Invasion) adds to the romanticism and excitement of the novel.

So I won't hold that or the imaginary white bougainvillae against you. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[SandiF]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

Ms Thompson, so glad you are on for the discussion and to answer our questions. As a fellow yardie, mi have nuff respect fi yu! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/notworthy.gif[/img]

I see what you are saying... especially England's 'parental' absentee role to Jamaica. When I read your book I picked up on the 'white male adventurer' portrayal, this role some times played out in the rural seaside towns in Jamaica.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: author</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SandiF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ms Cezair, another well done novel... loved it!

Why Errol Flynn? His role seemed so insignificant.

</div></div> Glad you enjoyed it. Why Errol Flynn? Because he actually was there in Port Antonio and because he's a symbol of several things that were meaningful to the novel: a glamorous world beyond Ida's isalnd-life, a symbol too of the white male adventurer hero that has figured in so much of our history. I was also playing a bit with the idea of merging the historic white absentee-planter (plantation owner) and absent-father, again an icon in Jamaica's history. In other words as white, male & wealthy (but also "absent" from May's life) he symbolized an important aspect of our colonial past - the paternal role England played in the life of its colonies as a metaphorically absent-father. Do you see what I mean? </div></div>

[Magician]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SandiF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I see what you are saying... especially England's 'parental' absentee role to Jamaica.</div></div>

I think that comparison can be further expanded. Jamaicans loved the 'Mother Country', while that love was not always reciprocated.

Ida loved Errol, but she was just another girl to him.

[SandiF]

Re: Questions for the author of &quot;The Pirate's Daughter&quot;

There seem to be a parallel in the book between interracial unions portrayed. A seemingly sense of shame or societal classism that caused the common-law unions to become legal unions. This is between Joseph and Ida's mother (forgot her name) and Ida's grandmother Oni, and her Chinese lover. Was this your intent in the book or did it slipped in there somehow?