Author Florenz Webbe Maxwell has been congratulated after her book was listed as “a must read” in Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine.

As reported by The Royal Gazette this week, Winfrey, American media mogul and philanthropist, highlighted Mrs Maxwell’s Girlcott in a listing of the best classic and contemporary books about Caribbean culture.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, personally called Mrs Maxwell, who also won second prize in the 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature for the book, to congratulate her on her latest achievement.

Girlcott, published in 2017, documents segregation and racism in Bermuda during the time of the 1959 Theatre Boycott.

Dr Peets said: “Mrs Maxwell continues to enrich our community, from her first book published by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, The Spirit Baby and Other Bermudian Folktales, in 2008, to Girlcott.

"I commended Mrs Maxwell on the hard work, passion, time and dedication she puts into writing as it tells a story of our culture in a way that holds meaning to our community.

“As we begin this new year, I wished Mrs Maxwell continued growth as a tradition bearer who has contributed immensely to Bermudian culture.

“I thanked her for her community contributions as they have enlightened, entertained, and uplifted us by providing hope and inspiration.”

Girlcott is described as: “A coming-of-age story about a young girl who learns about segregation and racism through the boycott.

“In this startling debut, Florenz Webbe Maxwell takes a little-known fact about Caribbean history and weaves an engaging tale that speaks eloquently to the contemporary experience.”

“Girlcott takes you beyond the image of Bermuda as a piece of paradise and charts a narrative of resistance, hope and the importance of fighting for change.”