MaryAnn Shank discusses her book “Sor Juana, My Beloved”
Monday January 26th 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Sor Juana, My Beloved won the Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book of the Year, 2025 Finalist, awarded by the International Latino Book Association.
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, the brilliant 17th century Mexican nun, the poet, the philosopher, the dramatist, fell passionately in love with the Viceroy’s wife. Yet, when she dared to challenge the Archbishop of Mexico, he threw her before the Inquisition, where she stood, alone.
Sor Juana was both mystical and profoundly human. Her poetry, her passion for Maria Luisa, and her fearless defiance of ecclesiastical authority make her more than just a historical figure; they make her a timeless icon of courage, artistry, and love. Sor Juana’s poetry and dramas are still studied today, 400 years later, especially her mystical poem “First Dream.”
Challenging the lies that build up around an icon like Sor Juana is no small undertaking. Tonight we discover the Why and Wherefor, and delve into the love that commanded Sor Juana’s imagination for decades.
MaryAnn was pleased to discover that Sor Juana had been raised near Guanajuato, Mexico, Ashland’s sister city, making Sor Juana’s writings even more personal.
MaryAnn Shank, a 15-year resident of Ashland, regrets only that she didn’t come to Ashland sooner. This vibrant environment has inspired her writings in poetry and novels, where she has won awards and accolades in both disciplines.