The Holy Faith Episcopal Church Hall in Port St. Lucie was abuzz with anticipation and excitement last month as Jamaican author and educator Frances-Marie Coke hosted the launch of her latest book, “When Banana Stains Fade.”
This multi-generational saga follows a Jamaican family grappling with a cycle of early pregnancies that each generation of women seems unable to break.
Attendees at the launch were captivated by Coke’s reading of excerpts from her book, enjoying refreshments, getting their copies signed, and sharing lively discussions about the novel and the event. They were particularly pleased to learn that part of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Caribbean American Cultural Group (CACG), a South Florida non-profit dedicated to preserving Caribbean culture.
Frances-Marie Coke, born in Jamaica, has an impressive background in education, holding a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and a Master of Arts in English from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Her writing career began in her early twenties, encompassing poetry, fiction, and drama for both stage and radio. Since relocating to Florida in 2008, she has continued her educational work as a Writing Studio Coordinator and adjunct faculty member at tertiary institutions in Port St. Lucie, while maintaining strong ties to Jamaica.
Contributions to CAGG
Coke is an active member of CACG, one of Port St. Lucie’s premier philanthropic organizations, contributing significantly to its MLK/Scholarship Committee. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, CACG is proud of its annual Dr. Martin Luther King celebration and its flagship scholarship program, which has supported college-bound students with over $166,000 in funding to date.
Frances-Marie Coke has published four books. Her debut poetry collection, The Balm of Dusk Lilies, was released by the Jamaica Observer Literary Publications, followed by her second poetry volume, Intersections, published by Peepal Tree Press in the UK. Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications, including The Jamaica Observer Literary series, Bearing Witness 1, 2, and 3, Kunapipi (Journal of Postcolonial Writing), and The Caribbean Writer, which awarded her The Daily News Prize for Poetry. Her poem “Still I See” was featured in Jubilation, an anthology celebrating Jamaica’s 50th independence anniversary.
In 2020, in collaboration with iUniverse, she published her teaching memoir, The Spirit of Clovelly Park: Learning and Teaching at Kingston College. Her latest work, When Banana Stains Fade: A Jamaican Family Saga of Adversity and Redemption, published by Black Rose Writing in April 2024, is described by Coke as a tribute to the resilience and courage of the Jamaican family. “I felt compelled to record the island’s beauty alongside its struggles,” Coke remarked, “and to celebrate the resilient, courageous ‘Jamaican Family,’ which, despite being described as irreparably broken, remains the island’s backbone.”
The novel’s strong sense of time and place and its depiction of ordinary life shaped by the lasting remnants of colonization will resonate with readers of all ages and genders, especially those with Caribbean roots who will find echoes of their own stories.
Copies of When Banana Stains Fade are available from the author at (772-800-2796, francesmariecoke.com), major booksellers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble (in paperback and e-book formats), and the publisher’s website, Black Rose Writing.
