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Posted: 4/18/19

Author Josefina Beatriz Longoria Presents Her New Book, “Uproot” at TAMIU

 

Josefina Beatriz Longoria
Josefina Beatriz Longoria  

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Arts and Sciences’  Department of Humanities will host author Josefina Beatriz Longoria’s presentation of her new book, “Uproot,” Thursday, April 18 at 6 p.m. in Pellegrino Hall 101.

The book presentation is free and open to the public.

“Uproot” is a memoir that covers 30 years in 30 chapters. Readers follow the main character from Monterrey, to Paris, Los Angeles, Nuevo Laredo, Laredo and San Antonio.

In the story, according to the book’s description, Beatrice Theriot wakes up in a mental institution wondering how she got there. She decides to become a journalist to prove her mind is reliable. After being a reporter, public relations representative for an art museum, ghost writer, correspondent and editorialist, she meets the man she wants to marry. This is a Romeo and Juliet story but they are both Capulets.

The book’s description continues by stating that as Beatrice moves to the border, she discovers her family history. The turmoil forces her to leave her house and move to Laredo, Texas. Her tender young family is uprooted and has to adapt to American soil. Her son is diagnosed with autism, and she is forced to become a Special mother. As she learns of the multigenerational conflicts, her marriage is threatened with clan loyalties. Her union is under a Damocles sword.

“Uproot” is told through a polyphony of voices that weaves three stories together. The stories reveal the journey of a bicultural woman, torn between two countries, and two identities, the book description states.

 Longoria published her first book in Spanish. Her book, “Retractos de una Burguesía” (1996), is a compilation of stories from her column, “Facciones.” Some of these stories were included in an anthology of women writers, “A Través de los Ojos de Ella” (1999). She was an editorialist for 15 years for Mexican newspapers. “Uproot” is her first book in English.

For more information, please contact Dr. Irma Cantú, associate professor of Spanish, at 956.326.2657, email irma.cantu@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Anthony J. and Georgia A.  Pellegrino Hall, room 215D.