Acclaimed author Esmeralda Santiago reads and speaks about her new novel Conquistadora, the tale of a plantation mistress in mid-19th century Puerto Rico, who, although alert to the winds of change sparked by the Lincoln presidency, still exploits and punishes her slaves in order for her sugar plantation to flourish. Santiago told PBS NewsHour that when she was researching the plight of these slaves, “I went through the entire gamut of emotions – from shame and embarrassment, to rage and anger, to admiration that they survived under the circumstances in which they actually lived.” In this Royal and Shirley Durst Distinguished Lecture, Ms. Santiago also will discuss her life and work with writer Marilyn Johnson, a senior fellow and one of the founders of the Purchase Writers Center.
Born in Puerto Rico, Esmeralda Santiago came to the United States when she was thirteen, the eldest of eleven children. In addition to Conquistadora, she is the author of When I Was Puerto Rican, America's Dream (published in six languages and an Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild), Almost a Woman, and The Turkish Lover. With Joie Davidow, Ms. Santiago is co-editor of the anthologies, Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories and Las Mamis: Favorite Latino Authors Remember their Mothers.
The reading and discussion will be followed by Q & A, and a book signing and reception in the PAC Upper Lobby. This lecture is sponsored by the Purchase Writers Center, the Latin American Studies program, and the Creative Writing and Literature Boards of Study. It is supported by the Shirley and Royal Durst Endowment in Literature and the Arts.
