The Pagoda

Set against the backdrop of 1890s Jamaica, the narrative follows a Chinese immigrant shopkeeper, Mr. Lowe, whose seemingly simple life is steeped in complex history. As he navigates his past, including exile from China and a marriage of convenience to the enigmatic Miss Sylvie, secrets unravel. Central to the story is Lowe's true identity as a woman who cross-dresses to emigrate, highlighting themes of identity, cultural displacement, and resilience. The tale culminates in the destruction of his past and the aspiration to build a cultural sanctuary.