The Royal Palms Are Dying

The struggle to keep the 'Royal Palms' alive challenges the strength and integrity of Harold, the Prime Minister. His struggle is reinforced by the guidance of his mentor Joe, the old cabinet maker, Mildred, his wife and Bartlet the Bartender, who help Harold to maintain his attachment to the grassroots, the villagers with whom he has never lost touch. The Royal Palms Are Dying provides an insight into the intrigues of politics in a small island, the machinations of 'white shadows', and the depravity of persons in high office on the island. From a quiet beginning it races through twists and turns to a surprising and violent ending.

Alvin Cummins' contributions to the Literary Arts include four plays: I-Jah, The Homecoming, Jaja, King of Opobo, and Three Women; three musicals: East Side-West Side, Emmerton, and Redemption; and three novels: The Wind Also Listens, Yeshua: aka Jesus the Nazarene and The Royal Palms Are Dying. Two of these novels are joint winners of the Prime Minister’s Award at the 2007 Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Awards, and The Homecoming and The Royal Palms Are Dying are winners of literary awards at the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA).