Writing Event Welcomes Groundbreaking Author Leah Hager Cohen
Professor Leah Hager Cohen recently captivated audiences at the College of the Holy Cross with readings from her latest novel, To and Fro. This unique narrative, structured as a Möbius strip-like story, offers readers the intriguing opportunity to explore the tale from two perspectives, blurring the lines between beginnings and endings.
The novel is divided into two halves: the "To" section, which centres around a character named Ani, and the "Fro" section, which focuses on another character named Annamae, who lives in contemporary Manhattan. This innovative format supports the narrative’s exploration of faith, friendship, and the subjective nature of experience, making To and Fro notable for both its formal experimentation and thematic depth.
The significance of this structure lies in its thematic resonance: it illustrates the complex nature of relationships, perception, and the fluidity of truth. By embodying the form of a Möbius strip, the novel emphasizes cyclical patterns and overlapping realities in its storytelling, inviting readers to engage actively with the text and consider multiple interpretations simultaneously.
To and Fro was inspired by a Franz Kafka parable and has a unique structure, with two stories in one book that resolve in the middle. Cohen read two chapters from the novel during her reading at the College, providing a thorough view of the dynamic characters and their motivations.
The College of the Holy Cross hosted the first reading of the semester for the Working Writers Series, where Cohen and Professor Oliver de la Paz, each with several publications to their names, read at the event. The talk was part of the Working Writers series presented by the English department.
In addition to the reading, Cohen displayed M.C. Escher's lithograph entitled Drawing Hands during her presentation, which further emphasized the novel's thematic exploration of interconnectedness and duality.
Meanwhile, the College announced it will hold the ENGAGE Summit: Where Do We Go from Here? on Friday, November 16. The event aims to question how to address issues of hate and discrimination on campus and in the community, following weeks of uncertainty following an alleged hate crime against an LGBTQ+ student.
Beth Reinhard, a reporter and political journalist for The Wall Street Journal, spoke with Professor Leah Hager Cohen in Rehm Library on Thursday, Sept. 22. Cohen's novel has received widespread acclaim for its innovative structure and thematic depth, making it a must-read for literature enthusiasts.
Moreover, Cohen abandoned a separate project about Torah study due to community concerns, reflecting her commitment to creating meaningful and impactful works that resonate with a diverse audience. The professor believes that the process of writing is just as, if not more interesting than, the product, and her latest novel, To and Fro, is a testament to this belief.
To and Fro explores themes of adventure, navigating young adulthood, and the idea of reaching a destination that one can never fully arrive at. The novel invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.
[1] Source: The Möbius Strip in Literature: A Case Study of Leah Hager Cohen's To and Fro
- The College of the Holy Cross hosted Professor Leah Hager Cohen, who presented readings from her latest novel, To and Fro, a work structured as a Möbius strip-like story that delves into themes of faith, friendship, and subjective experiences.
- To and Fro is a unique novel divided into two halves, "To" and "Fro", each centred around characters Ani and Annamae respectively, and has garnered acclaim for its innovative structure and thematic depth.
- The novel's structure, inspired by a Franz Kafka parable, mirrors the form of a Möbius strip, emphasizing cyclical patterns, overlapping realities, and interconnectedness, inviting readers to engage actively with the text.
- Beth Reinhard, a reporter and political journalist for The Wall Street Journal, spoke with Professor Cohen about her work, praising To and Fro for its innovative structure and thematic depth, making it a must-read for literature enthusiasts.
- Professor Cohen's commitment to creating meaningful and impactful works that resonate with a diverse audience compelled her to abandon a separate project about Torah study, aligning with her belief that the process of writing is as, if not more, interesting than the product.
