Me: A book of remembrance is a poignant autobiographical narrative that captures the youthful ambition and emotional vulnerability of a seventeen-year-old girl as she leaves her struggling family behind in Quebec to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Stepping into the unfamiliar world of the West Indies with just ten dollars and a hopeful spirit, she is thrust into a vibrant yet challenging environment that tests her resilience. The story begins with a reflective departure during a bleak winter, providing insight into her unusual upbringing shaped by a creative yet unstable household. As she journeys to Jamaica to work for a small newspaper, she encounters a range of characters and cultural experiences that shape her perceptions and fuel her personal growth. Through vivid descriptions and introspective moments, the narrative explores themes of identity, independence, and the pursuit of creative fulfillment. The early chapters gently unravel the emotional layers of dislocation and discovery, setting the tone for a deeply personal account of a young woman learning to navigate life and purpose far from home.
Winnifred Eaton was a writer and screenwriter whose career spanned fiction, journalism and early cinema. Publishing under various names, most notably the pseudonym Onoto Watanna, Eaton became one of the first North American authors of Asian descent to produce fiction in English. Eaton's work drew from a diverse cultural background and included romance novels, short stories, articles and cookbooks, as well as screenplays for silent films. Her writing often explored cross-cultural experiences and was widely read across North America. Eaton found early success as a teenager contributing to newspapers and magazines, and her novel A Japanese Nightingale gained particular popularity, being adapted for the stage and film. She wrote extensively during her time in Canada and the United States, later working in the film industry in New York and Hollywood. Eaton remained active in literary and artistic communities, especially in Alberta, where she supported local theatre and authors. Her contributions continue to be recognized as part of North America's literary and cinematic history.