When retired dentist and politician Dr Clarence Terceira released his biography, ‘Tessi’s Highway’, he worried that he might have had too many copies to sell. To his amazement copies flew off the shelves at Christmas leaving only a handful for sale in the new year.

Fans will have the opportunity to hear him give a reading on Sunday at the Verdmont Museum in Smith’s, and to snatch up some of the remaining books.

“People are receiving the book extremely well,” said Dr Terceira. “I had an e-mail from someone who said it should be put in every school in Bermuda. That’s probably a little over the top, but still, it was a wonderful compliment. I have had people stop me on the street to tell me how much they have enjoyed the book.”

‘Tessi’s Highway’ details how as the grandson of Azorean immigrants, he overcame many obstacles to become a dental surgeon, banker, politician and family man. It recalls his involvement with the birth of the United Bermuda Party (UBP) in 1964, and his work as treasurer, party chairman and, later, as a Cabinet Minister, holding the portfolios for Education, Health and Works and Engineering at various times. During his tenure at the Works Ministry, he was responsible for the development of the entrance to Hamilton at Crow Lane, Paget into the closest thing Bermuda has to a highway.

But Dr Terceira said there has been a great deal of interest in his descriptions of growing up in rural Sandys during the 1930s. The book talks about his family history and Portuguese heritage.

“A lot of people have been very interested in the Portuguese aspect of things,” he said.

Dr Terceira said he was still trying to decide which part of the book to read, but it would probably include an excerpt from parts about his family history and life on a farm.

“I will talk about my mother’s efforts with cooking and managing the Portuguese men on the farm and how my father managed the farm,” he said.

The talk will be this Sunday at Verdmont Museum in Smith’s at 3pm with tea served at 4pm. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For booking and details please e-mail Peter Frith pfrith@bnt.bm or call BNT 236-6483. Books will be on sale.