Author Braschi Presents Lecture Today at TAMIU

Giannina Braschi, highly acclaimed post-modernist author of books, United States of Banana, groundbreaking Spanglish novel Yo-Yo Boing! and Empire of Dreams, will present a lecture from one of her works Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Texas A&M International University Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 318 (King Seminar Room).

Braschi will read excerpts from her novel, United States of Banana, in which she delves into the cultural and political journey of nearly 50 million Hispanic Americans living in the United States. The event is free and open to the public. After her presentation, there will be a question and answer segment.

The author is on a week-long visit to Laredo to work on the rewrite of her novel in Spanish with TAMIU Professor of Spanish Dr. Manuel Broncano.

“She (Braschi) is considered to be one of the most important post-modernist writers in the U.S.,” said Dr. Broncano, “She is originally from Puerto Rico, resides in New York and has a big name out there.”

Broncano said Braschi will provide signed, complimentary books of her work, United States of Banana at the presentation.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and based in New York, Braschi is a poet, essayist and novelist. She was a tennis champion, singer and fashion model before discovering writing.

She holds a Ph.D. in the Spanish Golden Age and has taught at Rutgers University, Colgate University and City University of New York. She has written on Miguel de Cervantes, Garcilaso de la Vega, Federico García Lorca, Antonio Machado, César Vallejo and Gustavo Bécquer.

She has received grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, El Diario la Prensa, PEN American Center, Ford Foundation, Reed Foundation, Rutgers University, Danforth Scholarship and Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. She writes in three languages including Spanish, Spanglish and English.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in Killam Library, room 268.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu