Love, Trial and Tribulation: Sophie Jai’s ‘WILD FIRES’ is the Story of Many Caribbean Families
Photo courtesy of Sophie Jai
Sophie Jai’s “WILD FIRES” is the compelling story of a Trinidadian family’s journey as they navigate grief, mourning and years of secrets that come to the surface. It’s a story all too familiar in Caribbean households. "WILD FIRES” follows Cassandra Rampersad, a writer living and working in London, England.
After years away from her Toronto home, Cassandra is called back after the unexpected death of her older cousin, Patrick “Chevy” Rampersad. Upon her abrupt arrival, Cassandra finds her family to be just as closed off as she’s always known them to be, each person tucked in their room, only entering common areas when necessary.
“…how long it has been since I’ve had a real conversation with my mother.”
Her three aunts, uncle, mother and two sisters all react differently to Chevy’s death, and with the house full, personalities and histories begin to clash. Cassandra becomes aware of moments in time her mother and aunts have kept silent about all her life, and with emotions running high, it seems they are finally ready to speak their truths.
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Cassandra’s narrative is a juxtaposition between the past and present, moving the reader between Trinidad and Toronto. Cassandra reflects on her childhood, her family’s emigration, and the changes in her family and their relationships with one another. Going further into the past, the later flashbacks provide insight into the young lives of Cassandra’s mother and aunts, slowly revealing the events that changed them forever. These are the pieces Cassandra must put together if she wants her family to heal.
“I must say it now before going on. There is one particular pothole in the story of my family that will not be filled, prodded, or examined up close…”
“WILD FIRES” is a slow-paced read with strong description, vibrant imagery and poetic prose. The story, though universal, is one that Caribbean families will feel particularly drawn to for its relatability. The story explores themes of family, love, home, grief, healing and new beginnings.
The characters are crafted with care and well fleshed out, leaving little question about their motivation, personality and flaws. It is those very flaws that make the reader drawn to the characters and remember them long after they’ve finished the book. Jai’s writing style brings the story to life, making everything from the family home to the characters easy to visualize as you read along.
“In a cool bath, with my head cocked back and my feet up on the tub, I think of London unfulfilled, but always a plane ride away. I think about Chevy, and that if I could say anything to him it would be, ‘I love you, I’m sorry, I was afraid.’”
Jai, who was born in Trinidad and grew up in Toronto, was selected as both a 2020 Writer-in-Residence and Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford for ‘WILD FIRES.’ Jai was longlisted for the 2019 Bridport Prize Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a First Novel. “WILD FIRES” was selected out of 200 entries as the winner of the 2019 Borough Press and The Good Literary Agency.
Jai’s debut is an excellent showcase of her talent and potential in the years to come. “WILD FIRES” demonstrates not only a family’s ability to grieve and fall apart but their strength and ability to come together and heal in times of hardship. It is said that wildfires can wreak havoc. While even in the strongest families they take a toll, wildfires can be put out.
To purchase “WILD FIRES” click here.
