Arts
The Koffler Centre of the Arts’ 2019 Books & Ideas Series continues with award-winning author and journalist Amitava Kumar, in conversation with award-winning novelist and visual artist, Shani Mootoo. Award-winning writer and journalist Amitava Kumar is the author of several books of non-fiction, poetry, and his most recent novel, Immigrant, Montana — one of President Obama’s favourite books of 2018. Immigrant, Montana was also selected by the New York Times and the New Yorker as one of the top titles of the past year. Born in Ara, India, Kumar grew up in the nearby town of Patna, famous for its corruption, crushing poverty, and delicious mangoes. He lives in Poughkeepsie, in upstate New York, where he is Helen D. Lockwood Professor of English at Vassar College. In 2016, Amitava Kumar was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as a Ford Fellowship in Literature from United States Artists.