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Faculty book selected as finalist for Minnesota Book Award

By Tom Vogel
February 17, 2006

The Ambivalent Art of Katherine Anne Porter by St. Olaf College Associate Professor of English Mary Titus has been selected as a finalist in the 18th Annual Minnesota Book Awards. Titus' book was chosen out of 258 entries in 13 different categories. The winning titles will be announced at the Minnesota Book Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 29.

Titus says she finds the nomination remarkable, given the academic nature of her book. "Most Minnesota Book Awards aren't by professors on a specific subject like this," she says. "This is a compliment to my writing abilities."

The Ambivalent Art of Katherine Anne Porter, which was nominated in the general nonfiction category, examines the life of Porter, an American writer who confronted issues of gender and women's roles as artists throughout much of the 20th century. Titus describes Porter as being part of the tradition of American women writers concerned with freedom, a theme she feels may have resonated with readers. "Her life expressed the struggles of a woman being creative and independent," says Titus.

Titus says she was drawn to Porter as a subject in part because of the era in which she lived. Having lived from 1890 to 1980, Porter witnessed a great deal of significant social changes in American history. "She was involved in many of the major moments of the 20th century," Titus says. "She experienced the twenties and the sixties and the transformation of American women. Her life was so full."

Although Porter wrote only one full-length novel, Ship of Fools, she left a legacy of short stories. "She was considered one of the masters of the form," says Titus. Porter's short stories often address the struggle between female individuality and creativity and loss.

The Minnesota Book Awards is sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Commission and is an annual awards program that recognizes, honors and celebrates the best in Minnesota literature.

Read the St. Olaf Interview with Titus about her book here.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.