Book reviews with Pauline Atkins: Betwixt 2 Shores by William Henry

Hello South London Book Lovers,

I had a book delivered by hand to my home for review and I will admit I was shocked and saddened while reading it.

The book, Betwixt 2 Shores by William Henry, published by Percaii Publishing Agency in 2023 and is available via Amazon and Foyles book store for £12.00 in paperback.

William Henry was born Jovan O’Brien in August 1960 in the New Windthropes Village, Antigua.

His parents answered the call to help rebuild the “Motherland” and left him, at the very early age of seven months, with his grandmother and four older sisters.

He grew up, not knowing his parents, in Antigua in a loving, safe home, raised by his Christian grandmother, but this was all to change once his grandmother received a letter from his parents, after no communication for 10 years.

Jovan was to join them in the UK, torn from his family home, flown to a foreign country and found himself in a world of racial, physical and mental abuse from his parents, his schools and people on the street, this was a world apart from Antigua, a place he longed to return to.

What I discovered within this book are very clear cries for help that were ignored by his peers, his teachers and even family members.

He discovered a new brother, and a life full of pain, he longed for love and acceptance but only ever received bruises and beatings.

This is a true story of discrimination, racism, and a desperate need to be loved by the very people who are supposed to love and care for you unconditionally.

Jovan was a member of the Windrush generation, despite the challenges he endured and is still enduring, he has proved you can achieve your dreams, at the sprightly age of 63, you only have to read this book to see for yourself, what amazing achievements he has accomplished.

I wish him every success as an author and educator and if he decides to write another “Windrush” book I would love another personally delivered copy to review.

Picture: Betwixt 2 Shores by William Henry. Picture: William Henry
Picture: Pauline Atkins