THE novel ‘Backslider’, written by Julia Theresa Kanhai, is dedicated to those who were molested or raped and struggle to find their happiness and purpose.

The riveting book vividly captures the emotional, psychological and even spiritual damage borne by victims of sex crimes and tells the story of a pastor’s daughter, who is drugged and raped then deviates from her moral teachings because of her obsession with revenge.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Kanhai gives a synopsis of the Backslider, ‘Rachael Watts (the protagonist) must choose between drowning in her pain and resurfacing to face her god but no one can guess what happens next.
One reader described the publication as a “pulsating, provocative… and excellent read” while another said that, at the age of 35, it has rekindled his love for reading. The book is being called a ‘dark masterpiece’ because of its explicit scenes which are intended for adult readers only and has been gaining much momentum in England, Australia, India and the United States (U.S.).
After it was published and released in the U.S. on January 7, earlier his year, the book was launched on February 22 at Envisage Marketing, on Duncan Street in Georgetown.
DEEM TABOO
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony congratulated Kanhai on her achievements and applauded her willingness to lead a discourse on topical issues many may still deem taboo.
Also speaking at the launch was Mr. Alim Hosein, Dean of the School of Education and Humanities at the University of Guyana (UG), where Kanhai is employed in the English Department.
He said the writer’s journey in the literary arts and her determination to chase her childhood dream of becoming a published author was realised.
Kanhai held her second book signing a week later at Chetson’s on Wellington Street, another part of Georgetown.
The novel was mentioned, as well, in the New York newspaper Daylight, under the caption ‘Backslider Becomes Famous’ and showcased at a March book fair in New Delhi, India.
More recently, it was accepted by Kindle and is now available in soft copy via amazon.com.
Kanhai has been invited by her publishers to attend the New York Book Fair on May 31, to further promote writing which critics describe as a unique blend of good and evil.
The suspense filled thriller is at both UG libraries at Turkeyen and Tain campuses and can be purchased from the author’s website at terryk.ws.
Limited copies are available in Guyana at Austin’s Book Services on Church Street, EMTEC in Duncan Street and German’s Restaurant on New Market Street, all in the city. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)