The Ravages of a Monster Storm on a Tropical Island: Dominica – Days and Nights to Remember

The Ravages of a Monster Storm on a Tropical Island: Dominica – Days and Nights to Remember  by Jules Pascal

 “One could have heard the constant banging of hammers against boards and galvanize sheets as people all around the neighborhood were urgently boarding up their windows and doors… There was now a matter of urgency and nervousness in some quarters, especially as the latest news was that Maria was confirmed to be a Category 4 hurricane. Surely people became more gravely concerned as the images of Hurricane Irma and its devastating effects on St Maarten and Anguilla were fresh on our minds from pictures circulated on Social Media…Vehicles could be seen moving speedily on the main village road … The wind and showers intensified and thick dark clouds quickly obscured whatever light remained, making way for an eerie, somber darkness, which began to spread over the land.”

On Thursday, 11th April 2019, the release of the first published solo work of author Mr. Jules Pascal will make a dream become a reality.

No stranger to writing or to the Dominican public, Jules Pascal has penned numerous poems, songs and short stories over the years. His love for the arts as a youth saw him paint, compose, sing and even participate in local/cultural dances. He recently received both the 1st and 2nd place awards in the 2018 Dominica National Independence Creole Poetry Competition. Born and raised in the South-Eastern village of Grand Fond, Jules is a fully committed Community Worker, devoted family man and a faithful servant of the Lord. He has been married to his wife Maria for over 34 years and is the father of one daughter, Shari. Jules is skilled in a variety of disciplines including Strategic Planning, Specialist Video Producer in Rural Communications, Small Enterprise Development and Management and Curriculum Development. Those who know him well know that his career spans over decades of youth work including teaching, training, mentoring and leading and before retiring he held the position of Chief Youth Development Officer at the Youth Development Division.

The riveting publication takes readers on a very eventful ride before, during and after the passage of Catastrophic Hurricane Maria as it ravaged the island of Dominica in September 2017. The jarring account gives way to deep reflection as the author chronicles the strange, frightening and even unexplainable experiences of his family and other survivors which shook him physically and threatened the very foundation of his faith in God. The book reveals the author’s admonishments to all survivors to change their way of thinking and recognise that some obstacles are in reality opportunities. The author believes that experiences in life are in fact our greatest teachers but what have we learnt from Hurricane Maria? And have we indeed “Set our minds on things above [of God] and not on earthly things” Col 3:2 NIV

“As the decades have dimmed the memories, the more recent Hurricane Maria has taken the primary place in our thoughts over those of David. But here, in this book, Jules Pascal has caught the memories of both… This fascinating book records hair-raising experiences, and it makes riveting reading.” Dr. Lennox Honychurch

The book was published by Jules Pascal. Editing, layout and cover design were done by Joanne Nicolls and it was printed by Gorham Printing.

“Ravages” as it is affectionately being called by its early readers will be available for purchase from tomorrow at a list price of $65.00EC from JAYS and CLC Bookstores. Interested readers can also contact the author or any member of his team to request their copy. Order requests can be made at 615-6352/225-0705.

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13 Comments

  1. Hermin
    April 14, 2019

    Want to congratulate you Mr Jules Pascal for achieving such accomplishment . You have always been a person with talents very creative and the list goes on. Job well done jopi ng to get a coy

  2. CJ
    April 12, 2019

    Well done, congratulations bro.

  3. Bob Denis
    April 11, 2019

    ……………..the LIVING GOD speaks no other way , but through these Disasters . vast numbers of Dominican writers , with some resource , publishes to stack the shelves , just to feel good about themselves . EGO it seems is the biggest killer in DA , when a Country , Man/Woman , takes back to back Natural Disaster Hits like that , the message is , that something is totally imbalanced , and prices have to be paid for the not so good VICES , Man/Woman have made their bosom friend . But where is the CURVE ? .

    • Let's Get Real
      April 11, 2019

      Bob Dennis. What are you talking about? In years to come people will be glad that we have these memories. Life is not always a ‘Bed of Roses’. We have to take the rough with the smooth and respect nature and God.

    • I am mine own
      April 11, 2019

      Have you not considered that many people outside of Dominica might be interested in this work? Families of Ross students who also suffered might be willing to pick up a copy to better understand what their students endured. This book can bring attention to the pains plaguing Dominica during and after Maria.

      Instead of criticizing the author, let us work to spread the word about his book.

  4. River Street
    April 10, 2019

    Congratulations Jules you did it bro. JAH blessings.

  5. Wayne Shaw
    April 10, 2019

    Excellent cannot wait to read. Many were affected by Maria and have personal stories to tell and it is always good to read others personal perspective.
    Please read Dominica 2018 our trip of a lifetime available from Amazon and eBay. Proceeds go to Help for Dominica! One love. We do try!

  6. Wayne
    April 10, 2019

    Excellent cannot wait to read. Many were affected by Maria and have personal stories to tell and it is always good to read others personal perspective.
    Please read Dominica 2018 our trip of a lifetime available from Amazon and eBay. Proceeds go to Help for Dominica! One love. We do try!

  7. Lin clown
    April 10, 2019

    You should write a book.The Rise of Dominica after MARIA..Telling us what the Labour Party did,And the imput of the Lazy UWP.

    • Neutrallll
      April 11, 2019

      Whoever you are, please dont try to take the east man shine. You must get the book and read it daily,you looking like you idle……. with your out of timing statement. Calling uwp lazy…

    • dddddddddddddddd
      April 11, 2019

      @ Lin Clown, UWP is not in office. Your name suites you just right

  8. Joseph John
    April 10, 2019

    Here again we have an other message of holy inspiration. The author ends with the caption: “Have we indeed ‘set our minds on the things above (of God)and not on earthly things’ “.
    Are we mindful of the warnings from above and learning from past experiences ?
    Are we listening to the voice of Jesus pleading for us to return to Him as prodigal children.
    That is the second message of warning for this week. Are we going to ignore them with hard hearts and stubbornness ?
    The message is very clear….Return to me said the Lord or suffer the consequences.
    A few years ago Dominica (the Land of the Lord) observe pilgrimage to Fatima, La Salette, St Anne and other saints for holy intervention of protection. There was Holy Name Society, Children of Mary and other religious organisations holding processions and praying for holy protection. We had our eyes and mind on God and we were blessed with his protection.
    The message from Jesus is quite clear. “RETURN TO GOD NOW”

  9. hh
    April 10, 2019

    Definitely want a copy.

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