John Rice co-hosts “Wednesdays Are for Writers"

John Rice, co-author of “The Ghost of Cleopatra” will talk about his new novel as co-host of “Wednesdays Are for Writers,” at the Eastgate Café, 102 Harrison Street, Oak Park on July 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

“Wednesdays Are for Writers,” is a bi-monthly series of presentations that support the literary and performing arts community in the Oak Park. These events give authors an opportunity to meet each other, share their work, get advice from their peers and feedback from their readers while ordering from the gourmet menu and full bar of the Eastgate Café.

“The Ghost of Cleopatra” is a work of historical fiction by John Rice and Gail Tanzer. It tells the story of African-American/Native American sculptor, Edmonia Lewis, whose masterpiece, The Death of Cleopatra, languished for over 70 years in obscurity.

It’s an epic story that spans centuries and continents and tells how the spirit of the Queen of the Nile inspired Lewis to create her likeness in marble. The story is told through the eyes of Lewis, her statue and Cleopatra herself.

It is a story that celebrates the achievements of women, immigrants and minorities. It shows the indomitable spirit of Edmonia Lewis, who overcame terrible hardship to become one of the celebrated sculptors of her time. It traces her life from her humble circumstances living with her mother’s Ojibwe tribe to her life of sculpting world-renowned works of art.

It also shows Cleopatra’s rise to power in a world ruled by men and the fate she suffered at the hands of these powerful men.

Finally, it describes the precarious journey of the Statue, from its creation to its ultimate triumph. All three characters embody the spirit of strong females, who rise above oppression by their sheer determination. Primarily, it’s the saga of Edmonia Lewis, who was born in 1844: the daughter of an immigrant from Haiti and Native-American mother. Aside from the racism she suffered, she faced the prejudice that plagued females of that era.

It’s a story that we hope will inspire women, young and old, in their struggle for equality. It also recognizes an overlooked sculptor who deserves a place of honor in the pantheon of American heroes.

In addition to being a novelist and film maker, John Rice is also a professional private detective and journalist for the Wednesday Journal and Forest Park Review. He was born and raised in Forest Park and still resides and works there.

Writer or reader, we hope you’ll join us for a dinner meeting, Wednesday, July 10 at the Eastgate Café for John Rice’s intriguing presentation on “The Ghost of Cleopatra.”