bestselling author Delorys Welch-Tyson
|
 photo by: Allan Tyson "Any writer, I suppose, feels that the world into which he was born is nothing less than a conspiracy against the cultivation of his talent."--James Baldwin, "Autobiographical Notes" from Notes of a Native Son, 1955 "Look, Chief, you can't go off half-cocked looking for vengeance against a fish. That shark isn't evil, it's not a murderer. It's just obeying its own instincts. Trying to get retribution against a fish is crazy." -- Matt Hooper to Martin Brody in Jaws Delorys Welch-Tyson was raised in the ethically and socio-economically heterogenuous and cosmpolitan enclave called Morningside Heights...sometimes known as "White Harlem"...on Manhattan's Upper West Side. She came of age during the challenging years of the the Gender and Race based Civil Rights Movements and the harrowing Vietnam War conflict with its anti-war protests all of which violently divided national allegiances. If one can remember back then a great number of the citizens of this great nation resisted concepts of human equality. Can you imagine that?
By the begining of the 70s this unrest subsided as Welch-Tyson entered adulthood during the decade of the anti-Affirmative Action backlash of the the post-Nixon Administration. Despite all this degrading negativity, Welch-Tyson studied Fine Arts at the prestigious High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts (LaGuardia High School, NYC)and New York University. After a number of years working as an editor in publishing, and exhibiting her artwork in varous galleries in the United States, she founded her Rainbow Connection Art Gallery in Tribeca, NYC, which featured the artwork of child prodigies.  Associated Press (1.6MB)In the nineties, Welch-Tyson decided to change direction in her career partically due to the popularity for the voices from the American Black community which emerged in the 90s and became a novelist, publishing her first book with the Random House Publishing Group, the bestselling novel Gingersnaps and then it's sequel, LADYFINGERS. Now, as an American citizen living in the South of France, since 1999 with her husband of 36 years, she indulges her passions for the laid back café life of the Côte d'Azur, French, Indian, Japanes and Turkish cuisine among others, traveling, pursuing her painting, writing, knowledge of the French language and culture, and enjoying the rocky beaches of the shimmering Meditteranean Sea. Her bestselling first novel, GINGERSNAPS (The Random House Publishing Group)appeared for four months on Essence Magazine's Blackboard bestseller list. Welch-Tyson's second novel, LADYFINGERS was released June of 2005. She is presently working on her third novel which is the third installment of her "Cookie Quartet", entitled, ALMOND COOKIE and a theatrical production entitled BLOODLINES. Welch-Tyson has resided and traveled extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Europe. The author and her husband live in the South of France and Paris. |
 "A GROUND BREAKING EXPAT NOVEL...""Author Delorys Welch Tyson is a keen social observer whose satirical works pull no punches!"Ladyfingers, the second installment of what Welch-Tyson calls her “Cookie Quartet,” again combines the ingredients of humor and self help in the satirical tale of American gaffes and foibles on the French Riviera. Selected Review “Ladyfingers” is the second book in Delorys Welch-Tyson’s “Cookie Quartet”. I have not read the first book but the story flows so well that I did not need to read “Gingersnaps” before I read this one, but I plan to now. The story is about several people who have attended Ladyfingers, an etiquette school where the proprietor, Miss Arthuretta Bozell teaches the newly rich elegance and manners. The clients also learn their lessons by religiously reading her guidebook “Madame Bozell’s Guide to Elegant and Proper Behavior and Presentation”. An example of what the guide offers: “Chapter Three: Entering a Room: Professionally or Socially. Upon entering a room, whether it is a social or professional situation, greet everyone (even if it is only one person) by saying good morning, good afternoon, or good evening: depending on the time of day. If people are already engaged in a conversation, say, ‘excuse me, if I may, I would like to speak to you,’ to the person to whom you would like to address. Proper behavior requires that you acknowledge the humanity of other individuals. An exchange of greetings is essential to creating a gracious first impression in addition to increasing the probability of a congenial exchange between parties. A pleasant, natural smile helps, as well.” One would think that these would be easy guidelines to follow. No so with this crew and so begin the hilarious antics by Madame Bozell’s protégé’s. Many of the characters in the story try to disguise themselves as Baronesses, Countesses, Sheik’s, and many more, from an unknown country. They fail miserably at their goal to be refined and wealthy and end up insulting most of the people they run into. With people like that running around the French Riviera, it is no wonder why Americans are not well liked. The story concludes with all of these people coming together at David Simon’s brother’s wedding reception and the result is hilarious. This is a great book to read if you enjoy satire. I recommend it highly and look forward to reading “Gingersnaps” and Ms. Welch-Tyson’s 3rd book “Almond Cookies.” Cherie Fisher for Reader Views |
