Place Envy was partially written at Sacatar and profoundly shaped by Itaparica
Michael Lowenthal, a Sacatar Fellow in 2008 & 2022, will launch his new book, Place Envy, in events in Cambridge and New York City, in February.
In the author’s words: “Place Envy is a memoir-in-essays that revolves around questions of belonging, alienation, and my wide-ranging search for a sense of home. Sacatar, although it is more than four thousand miles from my geographic home in Boston, is the rare place where I have felt inspiringly grounded, both creatively and emotionally. (…) It was at Sacatar, when I was privileged to be a returning fellow in 2022, that I was able to draft the essay that formed the last piece of the book’s puzzle. And it was during my first visit to Sacatar, in 2008, that I fell in love with Bahia, and with a particular Baiano—an experience that inspired another of the book’s key chapters. Beyond all that, being part of the Sacatar community has made me feel welcomed within a global network of kindred spirits, artists who share values about creativity, intercultural dialogue, and compassionate humanism. When I envision the ideal community of artists, I can’t conceive of anything better than Sacatar. And I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Writing a book can be a solitary process, but, at publication, it brings the welcome opportunity to connect with friends and readers. Michael Lowenthal invites those in the Boston/Cambridge area to join him for the launch of Place Envy at Porter Square Books on Wednesday, February 11, at 7:00 PM. He will be in conversation with Jennifer Haigh.
Lowenthal also has several upcoming book events and appearances scheduled, with more to come:
February 11
Porter Square Books
Cambridge, MA, 7:00 PM
Hometown book launch, in conversation with Jennifer Haigh
February 12
Riffraff Bookstore
Providence, RI, 7:00 PM
In conversation with Hester Kaplan
February 21
Black Spring Books
New York, NY, 7:00 PM
New York City book launch, in conversation with Scott Heim
February 22
Sunday Salon
New York, NY, 5:00 PM
@ Von Bar, 3 Bleecker Street
March 12
Wonderland Books
Bethesda, MD, 7:00 PM
Readers are encouraged to support the independent bookstores on the tour by purchasing Place Envy—and other books—in store or online. The book can also be preordered directly from the publisher; orders placed within the next month receive 30% off the cover price, plus free shipping within the USA, using the code ENVY (all caps).
Portrait by Mitch Loch (2022)
