Big Island, Small is a novel that speaks loud and clear of complicated relationships based on personal and social prejudices in a world riddled with internalized, normalized violence and judgement.  Judith and Sola the main characters must dismantle within themselves and their relationships the very biases that keep their friendship divided while still sustaining courage and strength to discover peace, love and hope within themselves, relationships and the world.  Big Island, Small speaks to the universality of inter and intra personal conflict while also confronting the tragic reality of sexual violence women and children experience worldwide; violence that is often repressed, internalized and normalized.

St. Clair writes passionately and critically of these themes while situating them within the metaphor of ‘big’ and ‘small’ claiming our bigness and smallness make up who we are individually and in relationship with one another. As states one of her characters:

“Mr. Jessamy made it clear to his big-eyed devoted students, we all just a bunch of islands big and small occupying space in the sea. So don’t let anyone make you feel smaller then your big or bigger then your small.”

Sobaz Benjamin, Grenadian/Canadian film maker, activist and educator writes “St. Clair turns on its head familiar dualities: white/black, gay/straight, big/small. She uses these dualities not to lock main characters in but rather to shed light on the complexity of identities.”

Grenadian writer Jacob Ross describes Big Island, Small as a deeply sensitive and engaging novel exploring the lives and relationships of characters with rare delicacy and perception.

Grenadian author Cindy McKenzie writes: “St. Clair’s debut novel makes a brave entrance galloping on the scene like her morning sun. The language is real and engaging, addressing social ills like the heat curling our necks. She enters the consciousness of her characters with such skill, channeling their voices with a delicious sweet rawness — it’s like biting into a ripe cashew nut fruit. Fresh. Honest. Rootsy!”

Maureen St. Clair is an artist, peace educator, activist and writer. Born and raised in Canada, with Grenadian citizenship, Maureen has lived in Grenada, West Indies, for twenty-five years. Maureen is also known throughout the Caribbean and internationally for her vibrant, women-positive paintings inspired by her work with women and youth.