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In honor of Latine Heritage Month, Dominican University presents distinguished writer Ana Castillo, discussing her most recent book of poetry, My Book of the Dead, on Wednesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m. A book signing will follow Castillo’s lecture. The program will be held in the Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division Street, River Forest.

Castillo is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, short story writer, and playwright. Her acclaimed works include So Far from God 1993), Peel My Love Like an

Onion (1999), and The Guardians (2007). Recipient of the American Book Award from the

Before Columbus Foundation, Carl Sandburg Literary Prize, and Sor Juana Achievement Award, Castillo is considered as one of the leading voices of the Chicana experience. Born and raised in Chicago, she holds a bachelor’s degree in fiction writing from Columbia College in Chicago, a masters degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies from the University of Chicago, and a PhD in American studies from the University of Bremen, Germany. She is a former Lund-Gill Chair at Dominican University.

Castillo’s work centers on issues of identity, racism and classism. A social activist, she frequently uses her writing as a tool for fighting injustices. My Book of the Dead spans recent issues including the escalation of gun violence, the tumult of the Trump presidency, catastrophes of climate change, and personal losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program will be presented in-person and online. RSVP at https://dom.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1398. For more information, contact Jane Hseu, professor and chair of Dominican University’s English Department, at jhseu@dom.edu.

About Dominican University

Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences, the Borra College of Health Sciences, the Brennan School of Business and the College of Applied Social Sciences. The university also offers a doctoral degree in information studies. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University #10 of all Midwest regional master’s level universities, the best value in the Chicago area and #1 in Illinois for ensuring the social mobility of its graduates.