Interview with Lover’s Leap author Horane Smith

Q. Tell us more about Lover’s Leap and its legend.

A. Lover’s Leap is situated in southeastern St. Elizabeth, in a village called Yardley Chase (where I was born). The view from atop is awesome. To the east is about 50 miles of coastline winding into the distance, and to the west you see another 50 miles of the rugged coast worming away from you. Ahead of you is the deep blue sea. Tilt your chin and look three miles down below and you see the Santa Cruz Mountain range gradually descending until it seems to disappear into the sea. Frothy waves lash against reefs, stones and sand to form a feast for the eyes.

How did it get the name? As with any legend, there are many stories. The most widespread is that two slaves, after their secret romance had been discovered, jumped to their deaths from the cliff, rather than being separated or put to death. Another version says a plantation owner’s daughter was in love with a slave and both jumped to their deaths. Still another version says a jealous plantation owner was in love with a slave, and they both jumped here.

What makes my novel intriguing (“a profound comment,” according to British best-selling author John Prebble) is that it combines all three versions into one story. Reading it, the legend comes alive and the story sounds very credible.

Q. How did you use the legend as a basis for your novel?

A. I grew up hearing all these stories. With some knowledge of what life could be like back then, I tried to rescue a beautiful piece of Jamaica’s history that I thought needed to be documented. My novel is the first written account and the added bonus is I was born right there. At a novel launching there last July (the same day the site was officially opened as a tourist attraction), the response from Jamaicans and visitors alike was overwhelming. I never dreamed of such a reaction and that goes to show that the legend in novel form was long overdue.

Q. It seems that Lover’s Leap is often overlooked by visitors. Do you think the South Coast itself is sometimes forgotten by travelers who mostly hear about North Coast destinations?

A. The theme I use in promoting the novel is “A Legend Has Come Alive.” Why? For decades, Lover’s Leap was just a playground for kids (like myself) and one would see an occasional visitor stopping by and gasping at the stunningly beautiful scene. A community center was erected in the 1960s and that’s all. Then, in the 70s, the Jamaica Tourist Board launched a campaign called “Discover Jamaica,” which featured many of our hidden beauty and historical spots. Lover’s Leap was one of them.

Several years after that the government leased the entire site, redesigned the community center, erected a lighthouse and started to promote Lover’s Leap as part of a new thrust to develop South Coast tourism. There is now a museum, restaurant, gift shop and tour facilities. The South Coast is now undergoing a transformation. I believe the area is now coming into the limelight with attractions like Lover’s Leap.

Q. What special attributes does the South Coast and especially the Lover’s Leap region have that might appeal to adventure travelers?

A. It’s unspoiled and it’s all about nature. There are no skyscrapers, and it’s not a concrete jungle but an area of lush forests (especially at the Lover’s Leap coastline, which is essentially untouched). You have the YS Falls, north of Lover’s Leap, which can be compared to the famous Dunn’s River Falls and is clean and pure.

To the west is Treasure Beach on the Great Pedro Plains, where the sand is brown and beautiful. About 10 miles from there, you can journey (on the Swamp Safari Tour) up Jamaica’s longest river, the Black River, to watch crocodiles in their natural habitat. You’ll also observe mangroves and some plants and birds you will find only here.

Further east, the hilly town of Mandeville is also known for its bird watching, and just a few miles from there you can visit the Milk River Mineral Bath and Spa, reputed to have therapeutic properties. There is also the famous Bamboo Avenue near YS Falls, another nature lover’s stop.

Q. What special attributes does the region have that make it appeal to romantic travelers?

A. I got an recently from a young couple in Argentina who wanted to visit Lover’s Leap as their romantic hideaway. The name of the place, the setting, its history are ideal for this. Treasure Beach is another near-perfect hideaway – it’s quiet, serene and allows as much privacy as any romantic couple could want. Mandeville and Milk River Spa also offer something special, as does gorgeous YS Falls, which isn’t crowded like Dunn’s River.

Most tours to these areas can be done from Treasure Beach Hotel. In the neighboring parish of Westmoreland, the Bluefields Beach (white sand) stretches for a mile and has many secluded spots for the romantic visitor. The huge Sandals chain of hotels has plans to build a hotel at Bluefields, a beautiful area. The biggest asset of the South Coast is that it’s not crowded or fast-moving like the North Coast. It’s rather laid back, more relaxing, private and offers nature in all its glory.