Amitava Kumar & Shani Mootoo in Conversation

The Koffler Centre of the Arts’ 2019 Books & Ideas Series continues with award-winning author and journalist Amitava Kumar, in conversation with award-winning novelist and visual artist, Shani Mootoo.

Award-winning writer and journalist Amitava Kumar is the author of several books of non-fiction, poetry, and his most recent novel, Immigrant, Montana — one of President Obama’s favourite books of 2018. Immigrant, Montana was also selected by the New York Times and the New Yorker as one of the top titles of the past year. Born in Ara, India, Kumar grew up in the nearby town of Patna, famous for its corruption, crushing poverty, and delicious mangoes. He lives in Poughkeepsie, in upstate New York, where he is Helen D. Lockwood Professor of English at Vassar College. In 2016, Amitava Kumar was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as a Ford Fellowship in Literature from United States Artists.

Read Amitava Kumar’s “Being Indian in Trump’s America” in The New Yorker.

LISTEN TO THE TALK HERE:

Shani Mootoo was born in Ireland, grew up in Trinidad and has lived in Canada most of her life. She writes fiction and poetry, and is a visual artist whose paintings and short videos have been exhibited locally and internationally. Mootoo’s critically acclaimed novels include Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab, Valmiki’s Daughter, He Drown She in the Sea, and Cereus Blooms at Night. She is a recipient of the K.M. Hunter Arts Award, a Chalmers Fellowship Award, and most recently the James Duggins Outstanding Midcareer Novelist Award. She lives in Southern Ontario.

2019 Books & Ideas Series is presented in partnership with Ben McNally Books.

* Preferred Access Ticket includes reserved/best in-house seating, a signed copy of Immigrant, Montana, a pre-event reception in the Conversation Hall, and a tax receipt for the maximum allowable amount.

Preferred Access Tickets can also be purchased by contacting:
Lauren Abecassis-Kandravy, Director of Development
647-925-0643 ext. 226
lauren.ak@kofflerarts.org

Flowers at the event generously provided by

Photo: Michael Lionstar.

Amitava Kumar in Conversation

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