Rivers and Forests: Essays on Faith, Society and the Caribbean Mind
What does it mean to belong-to a people, a past, a faith, and a changing world?
In Rivers and Forests, Wayne Westphal Barrow delivers a powerful collection of literary essays that explore the intersection of faith, Caribbean identity, social change, and personal reflection. Written with clarity, warmth, and quiet authority, these essays move seamlessly between the deeply personal and the universally relevant.
From reflections on fatherhood and family to meditations on music, memory, genealogy, and Caribbean culture, Barrow examines the forces that shape how we think, live, and believe. His writing captures the rhythms of Caribbean life while confronting larger global questions about morality, resilience, and the human condition.
Inside this collection, you will discover:
- Thought-provoking essays on faith and everyday life
- Insightful reflections on Caribbean society and cultural identity
- Personal narratives grounded in family, history, and memory
- Commentary on music, sport, and social transformation
- Philosophical insights on purpose, resilience, and belonging
Whether reflecting on the spiritual depth of music, the emotional weight of ancestry, or the cultural power of cricket in the Caribbean, each essay invites the reader to pause, reflect, and reconsider what truly matters.
This is more than a book of essays-it is a journey through the landscapes of the mind and spirit.
Like rivers, these reflections flow across time.
Like forests, they are rooted in something deeper.
Barrow, Wayne Westphal: -
Wayne Westphal Barrow is a highly qualified computer science professional He studied Management Information Systems at West London College, UK and received his Masters in Project Management from OBS Business School, University of Barcelona, Spain.
He has extensive experience in programming and has taught computer science at the college level. In addition to his technical expertise, Wayne is also an accomplished author and journalist, having published two non-fiction books; Guyana's 2020 Elections: The 153-days Saga, Carry on Smartly: Beat the Covid-19 Blues, and a work of fiction, Carry on Smartly: But Is It True? and numerous articles on a variety of social issues. He has also produced television shows focused on information and communication technology (ICT).
As a husband, brother, and father, Wayne is dedicated to helping vulnerable citizens break the cycle of poverty through the teaching of self-reliance principles. He is a strong advocate for social justice and has written extensively on topics such as police brutality, child and spousal abuse, garbage management, and entrepreneurship.
Wayne is a Caribbean man, with roots in Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. He is married and has three children, each born in a different Caribbean nation.
