‘The Pain of Love’: stark realism and human drama

‘The Pain of Love’, a novel written by Nathalie Andrews of Queen’s Drive, was launched on Sunday, February 27.{{more}}

The book launching ceremony took place at the Mt. Moriah Seventh Day Adventist Church Youth Development Centre at 3 p.m.

Andrews, who was born in Tobago, published her first novel called Leroy in 2004. This was followed by her other publications ‘Sydney & Fanny -The Price of Freedom’, in 2008, and ‘Beryl Brewster-A Woman of Change’, in 2009.

She married Roy Andrews of St.Vincent and the Grenadines and travelled to England where she worked as an Accounts Clerk for the London County Council.

Many years later, she graduated from Newland Park College of Education, Buckinghamshire, as a qualified teacher.

As a drama student at Reading University, England, she researched and wrote a thesis on ‘The Development of West Indies Theatre’, gaining a diploma and becoming an Associate of the Drama Board (Education).

Since returning to St.Vincent and the Grenadines with her husband, they have settled in Queen’s Drive and she has written and produced eight One-Act Plays: The Power of Prayer, The Prophetess, Leroy’s Dilemma, Christmas on Coconut Hill, Rebecca’s Discontent, The Wedding Anniversary, Nadia’s Letter, and The Couple from Nazareth [A Nativity Play].

Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan in a blurb on ‘The Pain of Love’ wrote: “The author of Beryl Brewster, A Woman of Change returns with an impressive sequel that determines finally the path of love for Beryl. The book is, above all else, a story about Beryl’s search for love and it tells us clearly that the ‘course of true love never did run smooth.’ There are many facets to love and the reader journeys with Beryl as she tries to find it. Will she ever find true love? It shows a fascinating interplay between friendship and betrayal, love, courtship and marriage. At its best, it speaks out for honesty, loyalty and a compassionate, pragmatic openness to love”.

Jones-Morgan stated that ‘The Pain of Love’ is written with stark realism and human drama and makes compulsive reading.

F. Irwin Jack, former Secondary School Principal, also commented on the text. In his blurb, he noted that the earlier novel ‘Beryl Brewster, A Woman of Change’ left readers wondering what would happen to the central characters Beryl Brewster and Bobby Grant. He outlined “with a twist here and a turn there, the sequel entertains, it enlightens, it provokes, it stimulates. We wonder as we read, how will it end”.

“The setting is both tropical and topical. Readers would easily reflect on their own experiences past and present. The importance of family values and togetherness remains a key ingredient as we mould out society to move forward,” Jack stated.

Nicha Branker also shared a blurb on the new text. Branker wrote that the novel proves that prayer and a steadfast faith in God, can ease not only the pains of Arthritis, Diabetes and Hypertension, but also the pain of love. She said it is a must-read.

Andrews’ professional career included holding an Advisory Teacher post in the English Department, Berkshire County Council. She has run several workshops for primary and secondary school teachers, to encourage and support the use of literature written by Black writers.

She told SEARCHLIGHT that she has also worked tirelessly in the Berkshire Community, promoting Caribbean Drama, in an effort to help the local community to understand West Indian culture. Besides the novels, she is also the author of two booklets entitled ‘Parental Involvement in the Classroom’ and ‘Folk Talk’.(HN)