H.D. Greaves

     Close friends compare H.D. to the legendary Phoenix, the bird that always rises from its own ashes. Born and raised in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and now in his eighties, he is still actively writing, and helping other writers to achieve success.

 

      Unlike a lot of other successful Trinidad and Tobago writers who have chosen to live abroad, H.D. happily remains in his home country. Here, he enjoys the Caribbean's waters at Maracas Bay and Macaripe; the culinary delights of roti, bake and shark, and doubles; the beautiful samann, poui, flamboyant, and African tulip trees which surround the grassland that is the Queen's Park Savannah, and above all, the warmth and kindness of friends.

 

      His work is varied, from historical satire (and incredibly humorous satire, too, in Mandragora, and  Clizia), to an uplifting - and true! - novel about ageless love and aging (Of Bliss and Granted Wishes), to poems (Dramatis Personae),  plays, and a collection of stories (The Narrative Voice).

 

      Because he admires and loves the work of Edward FitzGerald and his "transmogrification" (FitzGerald's word) of the quatrains of the Persian poet-philosopher-mathematician, Omar Khayyam, he has compiled an edition of The Rubaiyat which contains all five of FitzGerald's versions, as well as other information pertaining to FitzGerald and Khayyam.  The KDP Amazon high quality paperback features a beautiful, yet extremely readable, calligraphic font, and a cover that feels like velvet.

Four of his books can be found

on the SELECTED EXCERPTS page,

which you may read at your leisure.

​

SEE REVIEWS BELOW OF HIS BOOKS ON

BARNES & NOBLE, THE PODLER REVIEW OF BOOKS,

AND AMAZON.  

 

With a smile, he is quick to point out that relatives, friends, or lovers did not write these reviews!

Mandragora   - Barnes & Noble Review

 

   This is an extraordinary novel, with intricate, sophisticated, and highly humorous prose and situations. It's an adaptation of a comedy by Machiavelli, and I think that Machiavelli would be delighted with what Greaves has done with his play, even in many ways improving it! The novel, like the original play, is filled with truly vile characters, all but the heroine, who knows how to turn a table or two to her advantage, with, perhaps, a little help from God Almighty. If you enjoy historical satire of the highest quality, and outrageous humour, I recommend this novel. Five stars, and more! Wonderful!

 

Mandragora   -  Three Reviews on AMAZON

 

   Written in the best tradition of Rabelais, Boccaccio and Voltaire... if you love the Renaissance, the Enlightenment & satire, read this book.

_______________________

 

   With a dramatic style that is, by turns, suspenseful and laugh out loud funny, Greaves brings the classic work to life for modern readers without sacrificing its Renaissance soul. If you're looking for a challenging yet entertaining read, this is it.

_______________________

 

   Well-written, clever, and humorous, with twists and turns when you least expect it. Greaves has done a wonderful job of turning what could have been a difficult to follow plot into a readily understandable and delightful piece of prose that keeps you turning page after page to see what happens next, while marveling over the depths of vice and stupidity demonstrated by some of the well-fleshed out - in more than one way - characters. I highly recommend this Renaissance romp of a novel based on Machiavelli's play.

 

Mandragora Critique

in The Podler Review of Books

(edited for length)

 

   The story starts with a hanging, and who doesn’t love that? This immediately pulls the reader into the setting and the story. Greaves holds up his end of the bargain, keeping the reader’s attention with one crazy scheme gone wrong after another. In addition, Greaves expands on the characters, making them well rounded and more believable than the caricatures of the original play.

   One of the things that I enjoyed most about Greaves’ writing was his conversational storytelling and his often wink, wink, nod, nod asides to the reader.

   Occasionally, he would break down the fourth wall to address the reader directly, such as:  “Regrettably, this cannot be said of lechery itself, for since evil was created at the beginning of the world lechery has been an all too common sin (as you and I, being virtuous, know very well).”

   Greaves has great lines such as:  “A hanging without music is as boring as a Borgia banquet without at least one goblet tainted with poisoned wine.”

   The supplemental material at the end of the book is almost as interesting as the story itself. Like many great works of historical fiction, Greaves provides a list of discussion questions for book clubs and reading groups. I found these questions to invoke thoughtful contemplation.

   Mandragora is a well-written, well-edited, funny, and thoughtful comedic tale that, while it may divert at times from Machiavelli’s play, stays true to the original.

________________

​

OF BLISS AND GRANTED WISHES  -  Reviews on AMAZON

 

   Of Bliss and Granted Wishes is a story of lives undimmed by Alzheimer's. Far from maudlin or depressing, the story, which traces the lives of Sophie and Sam before and after he is stricken with the disease, is a story of love, hope, and commitment. It is a trip back in time to the decades of the 30's on through to the start of the new millennium that most readers will relate to, as this most eccentric couple experiences not just themselves and the America of the time, but the world at large.

   Rife with humour as well as serious introspection, Of Bliss and Granted Wishes is a well-written book with one of the greatest first lines I've ever read:

"There is something wrong with Sam."

   It draws you in from those first words of Sophie's until the most unexpected and satisfying ending, with the author very successfully juxtaposing the immediacy of Sophie's diary entries with flashbacks to the past.

   What is most amazing is that this novel is based on the lives of two real people that the author knew. A wonderful and life-affirming read!

                           _________________

​

A wonderful story of love and tender giving hearts. A perfect solution for all when nearing the time when one can no longer live alone. They were all truly blessed to have one another. Such devotion that this couple had to each other will warm your heart, as well as the family who came to care for them.

                           _________________

​

OMG what a fabulous story!  This story is a real winner. What a lovely description of a couple and their beautiful life for almost 60 years. It's so well written with grace and dignity. Don't miss it.