Stephanie McKenzie Libri

Exploring themes of mental illness and patriarchy, this contemporary feminist work draws inspiration from Dante's Inferno. It portrays women grappling with their domestic struggles and societal expectations, reflecting a lack of compassion for their suffering. The narrative culminates in a fictional tale of two women trapped in a modern interpretation of Inferno, highlighting their emotional turmoil and the absence of empathy in their experiences.

Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the book examines the Native Renaissance in Canada, highlighting the surge of literary works by Aboriginal writers. Stephanie McKenzie delves into how this burgeoning literature impacted non-Native Canadian authors and played a crucial role in the development of a national mythology. The exploration reveals the interconnectedness of diverse voices in shaping Canada's literary landscape and cultural identity.

This collection brings together two great artists - Emily Carr (1871-1945) and Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Carr's appreciation for the First Nations of her day and Van Gogh's compassion for the impoverished seem to find a home together. So, too, do their spiritual yearnings and frustrations with societies that did not understand them. Stephanie McKenzie was born and raised in British Columbia but now lives in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. She teaches in the English Program at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University.