Author, Rosemarie Stone (left, seated), signs a copy of her book for an eager purchaser at her book launch, held at UWI, Mona.

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

This was no ordinary book launch. But then, this is no ordinary woman or tale.

Rosemarie Stone, widow of renowned pollster, Carl Stone, launched her much-talked about book, No Stone Unturned last week on Friday at the Social Science Lecture Theatre at the University of the West Indies.

From the beginning, this was never going to be a typical launch just by its location. There were no commentaries from dignitaries, no long-winded speeches and no guest speaker, who spoke very verbosely about the book.

'The Prayer'

This launch started with a youth group's rendition of the soulful piece, The Prayer, accompanied by violins and flute. That segued into the Ardenne High Drama Club performing a play, which spoke to the stigmas, reactions and ultimately, the consequences of HIV/AIDS.

The play focuses on a character named Cathy, who was molested by her step-father, and her mother, Joan, didn't believe her. Years later, Cathy and other colleagues discriminate against a co-worker suspected of having the disease. When her step-father died of complications from HIV/AIDS, and her mother is living with the disease, Cathy is forced to face the possibility that she might be infected.

Stone officially welcomed the guests, who crammed into the venue to witness the event. Along with close friend, Carol Narcisse, she went through some of the Jamaican proverbs in the book, and what they meant in her personal context. She and Narcisse also had an interview-type session. Susan Beadle and Craig Young read letters from the book that Stone penned to various family members including her parents, children and sisters.

Guests were also given the opportunity to ask questions by scrolling them on pieces of paper and sending them to the front of the lecture theatre. At the end, the applause for the brave lady was long and loud.

Guests at the launch included Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, Dr. Trevor Munroe, Shirley Williams, Dr. Alfred Sangster, Elaine Wint-Leslie, Wyvolyn Gager, Mark Figueroa, Ann-Margaret Lim, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Nancy Anderson and Anya Cushnie.

(Books are available at Sangster's Book Stores islandwide)

Darrell Wignall and Rena Johnson, father and sister, respectively, of Rosemarie Stone, were among the family members at Mrs. Stone's book launch.

Miriam Maluwa (right), director of UNAIDS, thanks Rosemarie Stone, for inviting her to the launch of her book. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Rosemarie Stone reads a few paragraphs from 'No Stone Unturned' during the launch, last week Friday.