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Alumna author returns to ������˾�� to launch new book

History alumna and author Sophie Perinot �86 returned to ������˾�� Wednesday afternoon to speak about her recent book Ribbons of Scarlet, where she �feels at home.� Part of a larger tour to promote the publication, Perinot spent time with aspiring student writers and visited with her former professors in addition to speaking with the ������˾�� community.

Reading from the historical fiction novel as well as sharing quotes from characters, Perinot drew parallels between her own experience at the Women�s March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017 after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and a march that took place more than 220 years earlier on the Palace of Versailles for the women in Ribbons of Scarlet:A Novel of the French Revolution�s Women. Set in late eighteenth-century France, the novel tells the story of the women who wrote, fought, and held leadership roles in the Revolution. �More than 30 years after I sat in women�s history classes here at ������˾��,� said Perinot, �women are still too often left out of telling of historical events, even those where they undeniably play cutting edge and leadership roles.�

Perinot enjoyed seeing David Molstad, emeritus professor of English.

Perinot explained that Ribbons of Scarlet, written in collaboration by a total of six authors, helps to fill �this void in the telling of the stories of the French Revolution� to an audience that included her Independent Study advisor and the David Moldstad, professor of English emeritus, who Perinot still corresponds with. Though she found her passion in history at ������˾��, he considered her �an honorary English major.� Perinot credits her experience at the College for helping her through the transition to a historical fiction writer from her career as an attorney. �������˾�� taught me that what was important was communicating well in writing and orally, and asking the right questions,� she said.

While on campus, Perinot also had lunch with students majoring in English, as well as sociology and others, who took an interest in her work. �As an aspiring writer myself, I appreciated Sophie�s honesty when talking about the difficulties of the writing and publishing processes, and it was evident how much she truly enjoys her career,� said Ellie Kahn, a senior majoring in sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. �The intent behind the stories she chooses to write�of historical women who have been left out of traditional narratives�mirrors what we are taught here at ������˾��, which is to think critically and advocate for who or what has often been disregarded.�

Expressing how grateful she was to be able to �do something fun,� as she embarks on this book tour that includes 27 stops for her throughout the country in the next two months, Perinot said, �coming home to ������˾��� is something she�ll look back on as a fond memory.

Posted in News on October 4, 2019.