File, Digital Video

Paule Marshall 1991
40 Min 1/2" Master

Digital video transferred from a VHS tape containing footage of Paule Marshall's reading held at Marygrove College on April 19, 1991, as part of the college's Contemporary American Authors Lecture series.

The video begins with Paule Marshall speaking from the podium. She begins by explaining how her initial plan for the lecture was to recount the difficult process of writing her upcoming novel "Daughters." Instead after speaking briefly about her initial inspiration for the novel, and explaining its premise and major characters, she reads excerpts from chapter two from a draft of the book. During the reading there's a break in the recording, which resumes slightly later with the view zoomed out further than it has initially been. Marshall concludes her reading with the end of chapter two. The camera continues to roll briefly as the crowd begins to move about.

After a brief gap in the tape, the recording resumes with a series of shots from the book signing following the readings. Marshall is captured autographing books and interacting with some of the attendees. The recording ends after additional footage of people conversing and enjoying refreshments at the reception after the event.