George Lamming, Dies Aged 94

 Hello Gentle Reader,
 
It is difficult to imagine what the Caribbean Literature would look like without the tutelage and advocacy of George Lamming, who remained the silent giant of Caribbean Literature, operating as both foundation, lodestone, whose unyielding support paved the way for numerous acclaimed Caribbean writers to come from the forefront both during and beyond the shadow of colonialism and waning imperialistic attitudes. Throughout his earlier career, George Lamming provided a great love for the island paradise and homeland of the Caribbean, growing up in Barbados and first teaching at the Port of Spain in Trinidad, before eventually emigrated north, to the grey skies and green fields of a rain worthy England, where initially Lamming worked in a factory. George Lammings perspective of the England of the time was more of an idea then it was a physical geographical feature. England to Lamming and many others who were leaving the West Indies for work or in the case of George Lamming to make it as a writer, all envisioned a world of civility and responsibility, complete with a sense of welcome. As George Lamming also pointed out, this journey was not unique to himself as a writer but was in the heritage of colonial literature of the time, from the far-flung islands and exotic lands of the commonwealth and the empire: Wilson Harris, Edgar Mittleholzer, and John Hearne. While in London, Geroge Lamming worked as a factory worker before finding a listenership with the BBC Colonial Service (and then the Caribbean Voices radio programming) and readership within the now defunct Barbadian magazine BIM. It was during this time, George Lamming began to read and encourage the writings of other writers from the Caribbean, which include the early poetry of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. As a writer, George Lamming is renowned for his first novel “In the Castle of My Skin,” which remains Lamming’s most acclaimed novel recounting the experience of the Barbadian psyche, soul, and perspective, which has been described as both a coming of age and autobiographical narrative, while also taking a broader and encompassing view of Barbados. Though previous novels were acclaimed, none came close to rivaling “In the Castle of My Skin.” Yet, perhaps the greatest achievement of George Lamming’s life and work came to encapsulate was his dutiful encouragement he provided to many young writers from the Caribbean, paving the way for writers such as the aforementioned Derek Walcott, Lorna Goodison, (contemporary) the late Kamau Brathwaite, and Grace Nichols.
 
George Lamming, sadly died just four days before his 95^th birthday.
 
Rest in Peace, George Lamming.
 
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
 
M. Mary

P.S. It is interesting to think what kind of world George Lamming has lived through, from a nation which existed on the curtails of colonialism, a Caribbean paradise of the upper class to dream of; then a postcolonial and fiercely independent nation existing within the Commonwealth as an equal partner, who had both spirit, heart and voice; and now more recently a nation which has entered into its infancy on a new journey as an independent republic.