Books & Books at The Betsy: Diana McCaulay

A new novel exploring memory, land and identity takes center stage during an author talk at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach. Books & Books at The Betsy Presents Diana McCaulay takes place Sunday, March 28, featuring the Jamaican writer and environmental activist in conversation about her latest book, A House for Miss Pauline.

The event is part of the Books & Books at The Betsy Monthly Literary Series, a recurring program presented in partnership with the independent Miami bookstore. Held in BBar, the hotel’s intimate underground venue, the series brings visiting authors together with readers for salon-style discussions followed by audience Q&A.

McCaulay’s novel centers on Pauline Sinclair, a 99-year-old woman living in rural Jamaica whose past resurfaces as she confronts family history, colonial legacies and long-buried secrets connected to the land she calls home. Blending humor, folklore and historical reflection, the story examines themes of identity, ancestry and belonging.

A longtime Kingston resident, McCaulay is the author of several novels including Dog-Heart, Huracan, Gone to Drift and Daylight Come. Her work has received numerous honors, including the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and has appeared in publications such as Granta Online and The Caribbean Writer. In addition to her literary career, she is known for her environmental advocacy in Jamaica.

Admission is free with RSVP recommended. Books will be available for purchase at the event.