Fifty years ago, in 1975, E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime burst onto the literary scene, a groundbreaking novel that wove together fact and fiction, creating a tapestry of early 20th-century America. Set against the backdrop of an era defined by seismic social and cultural shifts, the novel explores themes that remain strikingly relevant today: immigration, racial animosity, the evolving role of women in society. With its rich characters, masterful narrative, and profound insights into the American experience, Ragtime continues to resonate across generations.
To mark the 50th anniversary, Doctorow’s daughter - folksinger Caroline Doctorow - presents a multimedia event which includes family photographs, stories about the author's life, radio interviews, reading a passage or two from the novel, a discussion of craft, Caroline's live performance of several songs relevant to the occasion, how the book found new life on stage as a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, and more.
Held in the Baldwin Room.
