Events
Writing the Past: Crafting Historical Characters
A Conversation with Authors on Bringing History to Life
Penn Club: April 28, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
On Monday, April 28, the Penn Club (30 West 44th Street in New York City) will be hosting a discussion about the challenges of writing historical fiction. The reception starts at 6:00 p.m. and discussion at 6:30 p.m. I am honored to be participating in this with writer Lauren Willig. Those who are not members of the Penn Club may RSVP via email: events@pennclubny.org; the cost for this event is $32.50.
As I wrote Sailing with the Wind of Freedom, I had many opportunities to reflect on the challenges we’ll be discussing. Lascarina Bouboulis passed into history and legend as ‘Bouboulina,’ a folkloric heroine about whom little enough is known, and what little is known is open to question. Even her appearance has been lost in the fog of history. Of the four images below, only the one on the left is thought to have been drawn from life.
The three images of Bouboulina as a young woman and a military commander were created after she died: two (by the French Simonau and the German von Hess) are included in the Historical Album of the Greek War of Independence, 1821; an unknown Russian engraver depicts her on horseback. The first image may be the only actual likeness of the heroine, made by Godefry Engelmann in 1825, the year of her death; Professor Sharon Gerstel discusses it in her contribution to a scholarly anthology edited by Professor April Kalogeropoulos Householder.
Hope to meet you on April 28!
You can also check Katherine Kaye's social media accounts for the latest news about upcoming events.
Katherine Kaye (@windoffreedom22) • Instagram
