People who have read and loved A Land Remembered often ask me what they should read next. I always recommend Forever Island. This is a beautiful, yet heartbreaking tale of the Seminole Indians set in the Florida Everglades and is another of Dad’s wonderful books.
∗∗∗∗∗ You can read the entire 1st chapter right now, for free. Click here. ∗∗∗∗∗
Forever Island $14.95 Hardbound 
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This book was written years before he even thought of writing A Land Remembered. As it turned out, researching and writing Forever Island gave him a great sense of the Seminole culture that he needed for A Land Remembered.
In fact, more people have read this book than that more popular novel. Forever Island brought him international acclaim, awards, accolades, and even a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
Florida Everglades and 19th Century Expansion
Forever Island was my dad’s first novel set in Florida.
In 1966, we moved to Merritt Island, Florida from Oxford, Mississippi. Dad started work as the Public Relations Manager at what was then called Brevard Community College (BCC). It’s now Eastern Florida State College. After relocating, he set about learning more about his new home state.
One particular situation piqued his interest and gave him an idea for this story.
Florida, like the rest of the nation in the late 19th century, faced the fervor for expansion and progress. There was a prevailing sentiment that draining the Florida Everglades for agricultural purposes was the right course of action. However, by the late 1960s, it became evident that this was an environmentally unwise endeavor for such a unique, fragile, and vital region. The focus shifted from land development to the restoration of the Everglades. Unfortunately, by then, irreversible damage had already been inflicted.Getting To Know The Seminoles
Motivated by a desire to shed light on the impact of overdevelopment in the Florida Everglades, particularly on the Seminoles, my dad embarked on a literary journey. Recognizing that the excessive development was not only harming the natural habitat but also negatively affecting the lives and livelihoods of the Seminoles, he decided to tell their story.
To truly understand the Seminoles’ experiences, he knew he had to immerse himself in their world. Little did he anticipate the extensive commitment and immense effort it would take to research and write this book. The undertaking turned out to be a time-consuming and substantial endeavor, revealing the depth of dedication required to authentically capture the Seminoles’ perspective and convey their struggles in the face of environmental challenges.
Getting to Know the Seminole Way of Life
The process of writing this book spanned several years, and it began with my dad delving into the intricacies of Seminole culture, which was a considerable distance from his home on Merritt Island.
Juggling a full-time role at BCC, he could only dedicate weekends to travel down to southern Florida to learn about the Seminole way of life. He joked that my mother suspected he had a Seminole lover down there.
Building rapport with the Seminoles proved to be a significant challenge initially. They were cautious and reserved, not readily trusting outsiders. Despite being allowed to observe their activities in the villages, they remained reticent. Gradually, they became accustomed to his presence, and one day, a breakthrough occurred. A young Seminole man named James Billie approached him, initiating a conversation about his work. This marked the beginning of a meaningful connection, and James Billie went on to become the chief of the Seminole nation and a close friend of my dad’s.
Synopsis of the Forever Island
Charlie Jumper, an 86-year-old Seminole residing in the Big Cypress Swamp within the Florida Everglades, staunchly refuses to embrace white civilization. Instead, he tenaciously clings to the ancient traditions of his people, imparting these valuable teachings to his grandson, Timmy. The encroachment of development looms over their simple existence, prompting Charlie to take a stand and resist.
In his fight against the forces of progress, Charlie finds himself engaged in an uneven battle, one that unfolds with tragic consequences. The clash between tradition and modernity forms the heart of this poignant narrative, highlighting the challenges faced by a man determined to preserve the cultural heritage of his people in the face of relentless change.
International Success, Awards, and Accolades
The journey to publishing Forever Island was riddled with challenges. Initial attempts to get publishers to read the manuscript were met with difficulty, and subsequent rejections were not uncommon. Even after W.W. Norton took the plunge and published it, success was not immediate.
However, the tide began to turn gradually. Momentum gained traction, particularly in 1974 when Reader’s Digest selected it for their monthly reading collection. This exposure propelled the novel to international acclaim.
Remarkably, the Soviet Union embraced the book wholeheartedly. So much so that the Soviet Union Writers Guild extended an invitation to my parents, Patrick and Iris, covering all expenses for a comprehensive tour across the vast expanse of the country’s nine time zones. This unique experience inspired Patrick to pen a non-fiction book, In Search of The Russian Bear.
The next year he was invited back to the Soviet Union to speak at conferences, and then again in Bulgaria.
The accolades for Forever Island culminated in a Pulitzer Prize nomination for my father. Originally released as a paperback, the enduring popularity of the book led to its eventual hardbound edition. The journey from initial struggles to widespread recognition is a testament to the enduring impact of this remarkable literary work.
Forever Island $14.95 Hardbound
Remember … Use promo code 25%Forever and SAVE 25%! Good until December 25, 2023.
Also, Forever Island is also on Kindle.
Wrap Up
If you haven’t delved into it yet, or if you know someone who would appreciate Dad’s classic and heart-wrenching tale—a poignant narrative of one man’s unwavering battle to safeguard nature and his cherished way of life—I highly recommend it. Brace yourself for an emotionally touching story, and make sure you have enough Kleenex on hand; it’s a captivating journey that’s sure to leave a lasting impact.
