Austrian Author – Elisabeth Karamat
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
March 17, 2012 (CUOPM)
A former Austrian diplomat, resident in St. Kitts, boards the German cruise liner, Mein Schiff, when it docks in St. Kitts every two weeks.
Dr. Elisabeth Karamat, who has been working in an agricultural project with young people in St. Paul’s since 2009, is also author of her own biography.
“My autobiographic book is the only novel on the German-speaking market that has St. Kitts as a setting. I have been invited to read 4 times on the German cruise ship when it docks in St. Kitts every two weeks in February and March,” said Dr. Karamat.
In her book, “Honigman” (Honey Man), Elisabeth Karamat has documented her life and experiences in her adopted new home, the island of St. Kitts.
Feeling unfulfilled in her life and her EU-diplomat in Brussels, she takes a short vacation in St. Kitts, then returns to work in an agricultural project for young people in the village of St. Paul’s.
Her meeting with Kwando, a bee man, farmer and healer, turns from fascination to deep and mutual love. Unprepared for a close, personal relationship, misunderstandings and cultural differences arise, are confronted and overcome.
Moving episodes of kindness, generosity of spirit, Kwando’s deep affection, her feeling of fulfillment and love are narrated in a direct and captivating style.
Elisabeth Karamat depicts the Caribbean island of St. Kitts with kindness and a sense of humor while maintaining the respect for her new home.
“With “˜Honigmann’ I have become a voice of the Caribbean in the German-speaking world,” she said.