Jennifer Clement Boeken

The beautifully written, deeply affecting story of Jean-Michel Basquiat's partner, her past, and their life together An NPR Best Book of the Year Selection New York City in the 1980s was a mesmerizing, wild place. A hotbed for hip hop, underground culture, and unmatched creative energy, it spawned some of the most significant art of the 20th century. It was where Jean-Michel Basquiat became an avant-garde street artist and painter, swiftly achieving worldwide fame. During the years before his death at the age of 27, he shared his life with his lover and muse, Suzanne Mallouk. A runaway from an unhappy home in Canada, Suzanne first met Jean-Michel in a bar on the Lower East Side in 1980. Thus began a tumultuous and passionate relationship that deeply influenced one of the most exceptional artists of our time. In emotionally resonant prose, award-winning author Jennifer Clement tells the story of the passion that swept Suzanne and Jean-Michel into a short-lived, unforgettable affair. A poetic interpretation like no other, Widow Basquiat is an expression of the unrelenting power of addiction, obsession and love.

MADONNA. ANDY WARHOL. KEITH HARING. FAB 5 FREDDIE. DEBBIE HARRY. JULIAN SCHNABEL. Jean-Michel Basquiat's transition from the subways to the chic gallery spaces of Manhattan brought the artist into the company of many of New York's established and aspiring stars. Unable to deal with the demands that his new fame brought, in 1987, at the age of twenty-seven Basquiat, the most successful black visual artist in history, died from a heroin overdose.Widow Basquiat is an exploration of the artist as seen through the eyes of his muse, Suzanne. It is a love story like no other.

Jennifer Clement, an accomplished author with a background in English and French literature, has received acclaim for her memoir "Widow Basquiat" and her novel "A True Story Based on Lies," which was an Orange Prize finalist. She has also published several bilingual poetry collections. Her upcoming novel, "The Poison That Fascinates," is set to be released by Canongate Books in 2008. Currently residing in Mexico City, Clement co-directs the annual San Miguel Poetry Week with her sister, Barbara Sibley.

"With a simplicity that belies both Basquiat's work and life, Jennifer Clement delivers a tender and poetic exploration of the artist and more specifically, the relationship with his muse, Suzanne. Their union follows a path set by other singular couples in the history of art, such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock. The result is a distressing, yet deeply moving account of a love that strove to flourish under intense outside pressures."--BOOK JACKET.

'Now we make you ugly,' my mother said. 'The best thing you can be in Mexico is an ugly girl.' On the mountainside in rural Mexico where Ladydi lives, being a girl is dangerous. Especially a pretty one. If the Narcos hear there is a pretty girl on the mountain, they steal her. So when the black SUVs roll into town, Ladydi and her friends hide in the warren of holes scattered across the mountain, safely out of sight. Because the stolen girls don't come back. Ladydi is determined to get out, to find a life that offers more than just the struggle to survive. But she soon finds that the drug cartels have eyes everywhere, and the cities are no safer than the mountains.

Exploring themes of class discrimination and gender dynamics, this novel weaves together two compelling narratives that highlight male oppression and female servitude. Through its original storytelling, it delves into the complexities of societal roles and personal struggles, offering a thought-provoking examination of these universal issues.

An irresistible fable of faith, love and mortal sin

Focusing on the concept of humility, the book explores its significance in early modern Christian faith and behavior, contrasting it with modern Western values. It examines how early literature connects humility to self-knowledge, emphasizing the importance of "right reading" as a means to cultivate this virtue. The study challenges contemporary perceptions of the self and highlights the enduring relevance of humility in understanding personal identity and moral character.

The book offers insights into the unique and diverse materials housed within the libraries of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Through reflections on exceptional items, it highlights the institution's role as a guardian of a rich cultural and historical inheritance, showcasing the significance of its collection.