It Was All a Gift - Interview with Shani Mootoo (Dedication to Pinky)

In this episode, Linda speaks about Shani Mootoo's Starry Starry Night (Book*hug Press), an auto-fictional work that confirms her exceptional talent, in its sophisticated narration and vivid delineation of scenes from a childhood in Trinidad. Mootoo traces the early life of Anju, roughly based on Mootoo’s own childhood, the heartrending contours of that life – but, as she ruminated in their interview together, she approached those painful experiences with a sense of dispassionate observation and compassion, for herself and for others, documenting upon what is unfurling at every moment. And then she concludes, “It was all a gift.”Linda takes a moment in her introduction to reflect on the loss of her beloved cat, Pinky, and confirms - it was indeed all a gift, including this very special interview with Shani Mootoo.Other references:Oeno Gallery (where Shani Mootoo's visual art may be found, 2:28)Vincent Van Gogh (30 minutes)Cat Stevens (33.03)Shani's advice for aspiring writers (33.41)Producer: Linda Morra; Associate Producer: Maia Harris; Music: Raphael Krux; Sound Production: Jason C. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.