Event to dive into the inspiration of local author’s latest novel
Ashland.news staff report
Local artist MaryAnn Shank will be sharing the thoughts behind her newest novel “Sor Juana, My Beloved” at Bloomsbury Books on Jan. 26. Shank is a finalist of The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book of the Year, 2025 award, awarded by the International Latino Book Association for her book.
Shank’s novel, as described in a press release, was inspired by “The Tenth Muse” performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in 2013. The play follows the story of “young nuns and servants (who) unearth a hidden play written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a nun and famous intellectual who died 20 years earlier after falling out of favor with the church,” according to OSF.
After watching the play, Shank spent three years researching to unearth more of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s story which she said was narrated and recanted predominantly by men.
In her research, Shank shares that she “discovered a deeply spiritual poet, an inspired learner of all
disciplines, a woman who valued her friendships, and her love, above all else,” according to her press release.
Shank’s book talk will discuss how Shank challenges the narration of Sor Juana’s life and story.
Source: MaryAnn Shank news release. Email Ashland.news at [email protected].
