NEW ORLEANS (press release) – New Orleanian authors Rory O’Neill Schmitt, PhD and Rosary O’Neill, PhD will be at The Garden District Book Shop on April 25 to share the New Orleans life of Kate Chopin, the first great American woman novelist, in their latest book “Kate Chopin in New Orleans.“
In this epic story, Chopin becomes a Phoenix rising amidst the disgrace, death, and abandonment in the romantic desperate setting of Reconstruction Louisiana. “Kate Chopin in New Orleans” is a follow up to “Edgar Degas in New Orleans,” and writer Kate Chopin lived in a neighborhood near the Degas family. Degas and Kate met in New Orleans during Degas’ visit 1872-1873, and Degas even influenced her writing of “The Awakening,” one of the classic novels written by an American woman.
Fourteen years in Louisiana (1870-1884) fueled the inspiration for the over 100 short stories and two published novels Kate Chopin would write. Louisiana needs her heroines and there is much to learn from Kate, who was originally from St. Louis. Whereas Edgar was “almost a son of Louisiana,” she became a daughter.
The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the O’Neills sitting down to share insights into Chopin’s and time in New Orleans. Afterwards, the mother-daughter authors will open the floor to guests for questions and then sign copies of their book.
Entry to the event is free and open to the public but the shop encourages interested parties to RSVP to ensure entry and reserve a copy of the book on Eventbrite as space is limited. Additional copies will be available to purchase.
