Forgotten Exiles: Short Stories

A superb collection from one of Canada’s acclaimed short story writers. Cyril Dabydeen’s Forgotten Exiles presents vibrant, humorous, and emotionally charged stories that explore displacement, identity, and belonging. Drawing on his Guyanese and Caribbean roots, Dabydeen reflects on his life in the 1970s, from planting trees in the rugged landscapes around Lake Superior to navigating cultural divides between Canada and the Amazon. His rhythmic prose and vivid imagery tackle themes of race, class, and self-discovery, with love triangles and social concerns at the heart of these compelling narratives, reaffirming Dabydeen’s mastery of contemporary fiction.

CYRIL DABYDEEN was born in Guyana and worked as a teacher before moving to Canada in 1970. He taught Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa and was Ottawa’s Poet Laureate (1984-87). His works appear in over sixty major literary magazines and anthologies worldwide. He has twice adjudicated for the Governor General’s Award (Poetry) and for the Neustadt International Prize for Literature. A retired professor and human rights activist, he resides in Ottawa.