The Hunter J. François Library of SALCC hosted Saint Lucian historian and researcher Louise Mathurin-Serieux as the latest guest in its Author Talks series on April 17, 2026. Mathurin-Serieux presented her newly published book, On the Shoulders of Peasants, which examines the contribution of a peculiar group of labourers who often appear in our region’s historical records under the misnomer of “peasants.”

“In Saint Lucia, [the peasants’] activities helped the economy in ways that have not received enough recognition. This book focuses on sharing more details on the many ways in which they indeed carried the economy of Saint Lucia on their shoulders.Mathurin-Serieux, providing a synopsis of her book.

The peasants were post-emancipation labourers who were central to building the economy through small-scale agriculture, such as lime and banana production.

“So with my book, it is taking the core of these industries that I learnt all about; the rise and fall, and see who was making it happen. And they keep mentioning the peasantry in Saint Luca,” Mathurin-Serieux said during the interview with moderator Rhyesa Joseph.

Drawing more than thirty students, lecturers, visiting researchers and members of the public, the event formed part of HJFL’s National Library Week activities. After her presentation, the interactive question-and-answer session tackled substantive historical issues, including the economic and social realities of the peasantry, systems of land ownership, patterns of resistance and survival.

Author Talks continues to affirm the importance of local scholarship, support for local authors, and the cultivation of a deeper appreciation for Saint Lucian literature and heritage.