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Our Common Novel
2000-2001

"For over twenty years, the Language and Literature Department of the College of Liberal Arts has had a "common novel" program. Each year all the students taking the required lower division courses, now called Writing and Literature I and II, read one novel in common, in addition to the other reading assignments of their particular sections, and the author of that novel is invited to campus to meet with classes and to lecture on his or her writing process. In the past such distinguished writers as Toni Morrison, William Kennedy, E.L. Doctorow, and Michael Ondaatje have come to campus. Having the entire campus reading one particular novel each year and engaging directly with its author turns out to be a vivid intellectual experience for students and faculty alike. All RIT faculty, staff and students are invited to join in the adventure."

Dr. Mary Sullivan Language and Literature, Chair September 21, 2000

 

 

The Tree of Red Stars By Tessa Bridal

Posted with permission of Milkweed Editions
Cover painting by Fran Gregory,
Inset photo by Richard Schneider/The Image Bank

 

The Common Novel selection for 2000-2001 is The Tree of Red Stars by Tessa Bridal. Tree of Red Stars, first published in 1997 by Milkweed Editions, is Bridal's debut novel. Tessa Bridal was awarded both the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and the Friends of America Writers Award in 1997. Tree of Red Stars is the story of a privileged teenage girl growing up in Uruguay in the 1960's and the awakening of her emotional and political awareness.

Author Tessa Bridal was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1947 and presently lives in the Midwestern United States with her husband and two daughters. For more information on Tessa Bridal, see her biography.

Ms. Tessa Bridal
Photo included with permission of author

Tessa Bridal will be visiting the RIT campus to deliver two lectures regarding her novel. Additionally, Dr. Glenn Kist, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts will also be presenting lectures on The Tree of Red Stars. These lectures will be broadcast on the Campus Closed Circuit Television Network, Channel 14. Check the schedule of speakers for dates and times of the live lectures and the broadcast lectures.

Tree of Red Stars Reviews:

"Full of rich detail, moving characterizations and political intrigue, this is both a tender story of love and friendship, and a terrifying, personal look at Uruguay, a country and a way of life under siege. A vivid, unforgettable journey." .........Full Circle Books

"The Tree of Red Stars stands out with the simplicity and passion of the storytelling. It's a welcome edition to the growing body of fiction that depicts Third World nations from the perspective of one of their own." ..........Sunday Oregonian

"Tessa Bridal's debut novel, The Tree of Red Stars, is rich with the political history of the time and its effects of Magda's family and friends....Bridal's engaging writing gives a sense of the struggle in Uruguay. It is well worth a read." .........The Oregonian

Look for Additional Book Reviews on The Tree of Red Stars.

The Tree of Red Stars' Glossary was created by Professor Diane Forbes.

If you're looking for a quick translation of Spanish words and terms used the in The Tree of Red Stars, check this language translation site.

Searching RIT Library's Einstein's Catalog provides information on Uruguay as well as catalog information for The Tree of Red Stars. A sampling of titles with their call numbers and floor location is listed below.

Area Handbook for Uruguay. F2708.W44. 4th floor
Biographical Dictionary of Latin Americans and Caribbean Political Leaders. F1414.2.B48 1988. Ref. Area, 1st floor.
Cambridge Encyclopedia of Latin America and the Caribbean. F1406.C36 1985, Reference Area, 1st floor.
Encyclopedia of Latin America. F1406.E52. Reference Area, 1st floor.
Latin America, 1998. F1408.L38 1998. Reference Area, 1st floor.
Latin America and the Caribbean. F1406.C36 1992. Reference Area, 1st floor
Latin American History and Culture. F1406E53 1996. Reference Area, 1st floor
Liberators and Patriots of Latin America: Biography of 23 Leaders. F1407.A33 1991. Reference Area, 1st floor.
Political Structures and Democracy in Uruguay. JL3681.G66 1991. 4th floor
Reference Guide to Latin American History. F1410.R395.1999. Reference Area, 1st floor
South America, Centra America and the Caribbean. F1401.S68 2000. Reference Area, 1st floor
The Tree of Red Stars. PS3552.R4542T7 1998. 3rd floor
The Tupamaro Guerrillas. F2728.G513 1972b. 4th floor
United States and the Southern Cone. F2232.2U6W47. 4th floor
Uruguay. F2710.P4 1963. 4th floor
Uruguay: The Politics of Failure. F2728.W44. 4th floor
Uruguay: Portrait of a Democracy. F2708.F5 1966. 4th floor
Uruguay, A Country Study. D410.A732 No. 15. Reference Area, 1st floor

Search RIT Library's Online Databases for additional information on Uruguay. The databases listed below are recommended:

Encyclopedias
Lexis Nexis Academic Universe
ProQuest National Newspapers
SIRs Knowledge Source
Wilson Select

Websites with information on Uruguay are listed below:

Factbook: Uruguay
South America: Uruguay
Uruguay: Ethnologue
Uruguay Resources: Political Databases of the Americas. From this page, do a search for Political Databases.
U.S Department of State: Background Notes: Uruguay . From here, do a search for Uruguay.

Maintained by: Susan Mee