Picture a Trinidadian storyteller who swapped law books for literary gems, crafting tales that tug at the heart—meet Ingrid Persaud! Born in Trinidad and now splitting her time between London and Barbados, Persaud found her voice in her forties, weaving stories of family, identity, and forgiveness that resonate worldwide. Her journey from legal academic to award-winning author is as captivating as her prose, proving it’s never too late to chase your passion.
The Making of Ingrid Persaud
Ingrid Persaud grew up in Trinidad, surrounded by a bookish mother who let her read everything from romance novels to cognitive theory. This eclectic upbringing sparked a love for words, but Persaud initially followed a traditional path, studying law at the London School of Economics. She taught law at King’s College London and the Fletcher School, yet felt unfulfilled. In her thirties, she pivoted to fine art at Goldsmiths and Central Saint Martins, exploring text in her conceptual pieces. It wasn’t until her forties, after moving to Barbados, that she began writing seriously, starting with a blog called Notes From a Small Rock that honed her craft.
Ingrid Persaud’s Unforgettable Stories
Persaud’s writing is a vibrant blend of Trinidadian culture, emotional depth, and lyrical prose. Her debut novel, Love After Love (2020), won the Costa First Novel Award, the Author’s Club First Novel Award, and the Indie Book Award for Fiction. Set in Trinidad, it follows the Ramdin-Chetan family, exploring love’s complexities through betrayal and redemption, with a nod to Derek Walcott’s poem of the same name. Her short story “The Sweet Sop” (2017) clinched the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the BBC National Short Story Award, using chocolate as a metaphor for a father-son bond amid terminal illness. In 2024, The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh captivated readers with its tale of four women navigating passion and betrayal in 1940s Trinidad. Persaud’s style—rich with Caribbean dialect and vivid imagery—brings her settings to life, tackling heavy themes with warmth and humor.
Her works often draw from her Trinidadian roots, reflecting the island’s lush beauty and social challenges, like gossip, intolerance, and fractured families. Persaud’s ability to weave universal themes into specific cultural contexts has earned her comparisons to Caribbean literary giants like Marlon James. Her stories don’t shy away from darkness but always offer hope, making them both heartbreaking and uplifting.
Why Ingrid Persaud Matters
Ingrid Persaud’s impact lies in her authentic voice and fearless exploration of human connection. Her novels and stories amplify Caribbean literature, bringing Trinidadian life to global readers with nuance and vibrancy. By tackling themes like identity and forgiveness, she invites readers to reflect on their own relationships. Her late start in writing inspires aspiring authors, showing that passion can triumph over convention. Persaud’s awards and critical acclaim—from The Guardian to The New York Times—cement her as a vital voice in contemporary fiction, enriching the literary landscape with every page.
- Born: Trinidad, date not publicly specified
- Key Works: Love After Love (2020), The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh (2024), “The Sweet Sop” (2017)
- Awards: Costa First Novel Award (2020), BBC National Short Story Award (2018), Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2017)
Ready to dive into a world of Trinidadian heart and soul? Snag Love After Love or The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh and let Ingrid Persaud’s lyrical storytelling sweep you away!