Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

**labyrinth2p** · 09-11-2002, 08:34 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

I'm a Kingstonian, but I spent 7 years of my adolescence in Montego Bay, where I attended Cornwall. After that, I traveled with my father as a tire salesman for a year, during which time we covered the length and breadth of Jamaica. I have been to Mocho.

**Guest** · 09-11-2002, 10:26 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Why did you start writing and how easy/difficult did you find it to publish your book?

btw, you sure say yuh a yuh????

**labyrinth2p** · 09-12-2002, 05:23 AM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

I had my first short story published in the Gleaner when I was 16. I have always wanted to be a writer--why, I don't know. Publishing my first novel, The Painted Canoe, was unbelievably difficult. I wrote the first draft in 1975, when I was living in Moneague. It was rejected by some 50 publishers in the US, England, and Jamaica, all of whom said it was wonderful but wouldn't sell. Finally, it was published in 1983 by Kingston Publishers after my mother forcefuly brought it to the attention of an editor, Kim Walcott. In 2000, a German translation was issued. As it turned out, the rejecting editors were right: it hasn't sold well and was remaindered by its American publisher, who stuck with it as tenaciously as he could before finally giving up.

**Guest** · 09-12-2002, 10:13 AM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Hey, thanks for responding! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Ok, since your books aren't written under a psuedonym, I assume you have been on book tours and such? What is the funniest and strangest encounter you have had on a tour.

Was Aloyisus (sp) based on someone you knew?

**ackeegirl** · 09-12-2002, 12:12 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Yeah!! Mi read all ah him books! mi did tink him was a black man ...but him is a rediebo Jamaican .. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

(((Anthony Winkler))) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

**labyrinth2p** · 09-12-2002, 11:24 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Actually, the only book touring I've done is in Jamaica, although I did tour London with Mother Booker, Bob Marley's mother, to promote the book I wrote with her about her famous son.

The funniest thing that ever happened to me was in Kingston, where I was sent to a store owned by a Chinyman to sign books. Nobody wanted to buy a book, so I ended up selling comb and brush sets behind the counter just to pass the time.

As for my color, I plead guilty to being white, and not guilty to being anything else but Jamaican. And if you don't like it, you can kiss my red red warra-warra.

**kia027** · 09-13-2002, 12:04 AM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

I have read The Painted Canoe, The Duppy, The Lunatic as well as Going Home to Teach and thoroughly enjoyed them. Are there any plans to write & publish more books of this type?

These books brought back many memories of Jamaica, especially Going Home to Teach as it brought back recollections of Jamaica in the Manley years as a child.

**Guest** · 09-13-2002, 12:38 AM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Originally posted by labyrinth2p:
[qb]
The funniest thing that ever happened to me was in Kingston, where I was sent to a store owned by a Chinyman to sign books. Nobody wanted to buy a book, so I ended up selling comb and brush sets behind the counter just to pass the time.[/qb]

BOAL! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] So yuh had to mek change to??? ~lol~

Are you still writing??? I am kinda sorry I cancelled my order for "The Duppy" but damn, I don't have the patience to wait...

**ackeegirl** · 09-13-2002, 12:37 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Jackie! beg yuh re-order DUPPY! Yuh haffi read wah happen to BAPS! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I still have to get Going Home To Teach. Heard it wasn't as good at the others...someone said something about class prejudice in it..but after reading the Great Yacht Race, mi think mi can manij fi read GHTT. Henybadi have any comments pon Going Home TT? tanks.

**MarieK** · 09-13-2002, 02:28 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

What led to your inspiration to write "The Lunatic?" I initially read the book over 8 years ago and enjoyed it tremendously. I confess I have read it twice since my initial reading.

an yes Jackie him is him [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

**Magician** · 09-13-2002, 04:57 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Mr. Winkler. You are the best!!!!! So glad that you decided to visit. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I've read the Great Yacht Race, The Lunatic, and Duppy.

I got TGYR at Sangster Book Store in MoBay and enjoyed it thoroughly. You have a great sense of humor. I like the way you poke fun at the upper class in that book.

Then I read the Lunatic. I have never laughed so hard in my life. What a hillarious story. After reading that book I was very suspicious about bush an tree dem in mi yard fi true! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
A joke mi mek.
I thought it was the funniest book I've ever read.....that's until I read Duppy!

Duppy is hands down, no doubt about it, the funniest book ever published. Even though it's only been a couple months since I read it, I want to re-read it now! But I can't.

My friend borrowed it to read it, then before he finished his wife found it and wouldn't let him finish until she fininshed. When he's done my roomate is next in line. And then my mother put herself down on the list! Now I know you don't like people swapping and not buying, but trust me, they will go out and buy it after reading it cause Duppy is the type of book you want to HAVE! I also told about it my two other firends who ordered it.

I do have a complaint, however. Duppy is TOO SHORT!!!! When I got to the end I was so disappointed that it was over! You should have made it a 1000 pages!

Now I need to know if you've written a book that can "one up" Duppy. Is there a book that's funnier than Duppy?? I seriously doubt it.

I didn't get a chance to read The Painted Canoe yet, not Going Home to Teach. The reviews for both were not so great, but since your record in my book is 3-0, I'll give them a try.

Have you written anything else other then the 5 books mentioned above?? If not, then I strongly encourage you to continue writing. That talent can't go to waste!

I nominate Mr. Winkler for the Pulitzer Prize in Literature and a Noble Prize as well!!

Nice meeting you!!

**labyrinth2p** · 09-13-2002, 06:06 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Thanks for the encouragement, Maciek. I actually wrote The Duppy twice. The first version was in the third person and I was well into the story when I was struck down with a serious illness that required emergency surgery and hospitalization. When I finally staggered out of my sickbed, I realized that I wasn't a good enough writer to write a third-person description of the wonders of heaven. So I started over from the first person point of view, figuring that Baps, being a shopkeeper, could hardly be expected to rhapsodize about heaven like a poet.
As for Lunatic, it is based on no one in particular. Aloysius is a composite of many of the roaming mad I used to see in the streets of Jamaica--and in Bellevue. When I was a teenager I dated one of Dr, Cook's daughters (he was the head psychiatrist) and through her came in contact with many of the mad.
I have completed two other novels but a dispute with my publisher in Jamaica is holding up their publication.

**mountaingal** · 09-13-2002, 06:41 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Great to have you on Jamaicans.com, Tony!

I wanted to know about where you grew up because I've read that The Lunatic shows an understanding of rural Jamaica. And being from the country myself, from St. Elizabeth, it rang true to the extent at least of the relations between the working class and the richer class, which correspond to black folk and brown folk.

I'm looking forward to The Duppy, when I get it from the library, and if it is as funny as Maciek says, I'll actually purchase (

) copies, along with The Lunatic.

Next question: I see that you've written a screenplay for movie that starred James Earl Jones. What was that experience like? And why an American to play a Jamaican?

**MarieK** · 09-13-2002, 07:22 PM

Re: Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

MG, being from St. Elizabeth myself, I had the same outlook, Southfield to be exact. I felt the same way, but great book. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

Anthony Winkler on Jamaicans.com

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