It's all good at Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, Jamaica

[Patricia Borns]

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Imagine being lifted in a bubble and gently set on a headland by the sea. Famous people casually introduce themselves: “Hi, my name is Cristina [‘Dreaming in Cuban’ novelist Cristina García], and this is Russell [‘Affliction’ author Russell Banks].’’

Far from Negril and Montego Bay, I was in the Jamaican breadbasket of St. Elizabeth parish, among tawny beaches and funky guest houses with names like Irie Rest. Crumpled in my backpack was the paper that brought me here. Once a year in May, sleepy Treasure Beach gathers a world of authors to the Calabash International Literary Festival. I had come to be immersed in their company — and maybe read my work at the famous Calabash open mic. ... Continue to full story and video