Waltzes I Have Not Forgotten

by Bernadette Gabay Dyer

Traversing the Caribbean, Europe, America and China, ;Waltzes I Have Not Forgotten ;recounts the tale of John Moneague, a man who was born into poverty in the backstreets of Kingston, Jamaica. As a result of unforeseen and tragic circumstances, an old Hakka Chinese woman becomes John's guardian and life-long mentor. She brings joy into his life, shutting out the harshness of the rest of the world. Madam Hung Chin owns a small grocery store, and manages to make a living during and following the lean times of World War I. She secures the best education she can for John, sending him to a school intended for Chinese children.The intriguing narrative intensifies when John attracts the attention of a Jewish couple from England who are involved in, and dedicated to, a secret cause. As rumblings of political and domestic unrest spread across the European continent, the couple's political involvement turns out to have a momentous impact on John.

228 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Bernadette has told stories on CBC Radio, as well as a variety of Toronto venues, that include the popular 1001 Nights Storytelling Series, and festivals at Nathan Phillips Square. Her work has been anthologized in several collections and appeared in Canadian literary magazines as well as literary magazines from the University of London, England, a journal from France, and a literary magazine from the University of Miami Florida. She lives and works in Toronto.

Reviews

[Three O'Clock Press]

Traversing the Caribbean, Europe, America and China, Waltzes I Have Not Forgotten recounts the tale of John Moneague, a man who was born into poverty in the backstreets of Kingston, Jamaica. As a result of unforeseen and tragic circumstances, an old Hakka Chinese woman becomes John's guardian and life-long mentor. She brings joy into his life, shutting out the harshness of the rest of the world. Madam Hung Chin owns a small grocery store, and manages to make a living during and following the lean times of World War I. She secures the best education she can for John, sending him to a school intended for Chinese children. The intriguing narrative intensifies when John attracts the attention of a Jewish couple from England who are involved in, and dedicated to, a secret cause. As rumblings of political and domestic unrest spread across the European continent, the couple's political involvement turns out to have a momentous impact on John.