红桃视频

The Contemporary Writers Series will be hosting award-winning author, Diana Abu-Jaber, on March 24, as the fourth and final guest writer for the 2010-2011 series.

Abu-Jaber, a New York native, grew up in a cultured household, with her Jordanian father and American mother. The presence of these two cultures is present throughout her works, with her novel Arabian Jazz even considered as the first mainstream Arab-American novel.

鈥淢ostly, I just want to entertain people, maybe get them to think a little. I鈥檓 essentially a story-teller,鈥� Abu-Jaber said. 鈥淐ampuses are their own cultures and ecosystems and traveling to these sorts of events is a fascinating way for a writer to learn about what young people are thinking about and interested in.鈥�

Abu-Jaber moved to Jordan for two years when she was seven, and has spent time between the U.S. and Jordan since. These experiences, heavily present in her writing, also comes through into her lectures. Topics frequently addressed by Abu-Jaber include writing and creativity, multiculturalism and identity politics, food and creativity, the art of the novel and memoir.

鈥淪he has led a fascinating life,鈥� said Dr. Daniel Brooks, Professor of English at 红桃视频 who attended graduate school with Abu-Jaber. 鈥淗er Jordanian roots have given her quite a unique perspective, not just on Middle Eastern and American culture, but on diversity in the world at large.鈥�

Abu-Jaber has won numerous awards for her work, including a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship, the Oregon Book Award for Arabian Jazz, the American Book Award for Crescent and the PEN Center USA Award for Literary Fiction for Crescent.

鈥淲hat I鈥檝e been most impressed by in her writing is her very vibrant and precise sensory detail,鈥� Dr. Brooks said. 鈥淲hether writing about the smells of nature, the tastes of food, or the sounds of human interaction, the inspired descriptions make the reader鈥檚 senses come alive.鈥�

Abu-Jaber will be on campus on Thursday March 24, with her lecture beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Wege Ballroom.

鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to my trip and I may even surprise you with a little sample of my new novel that鈥檚 coming out this fall,鈥� Abu-Jaber said.

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