Gianna Patriarca
Gianna Patriarca was born in Ceprano, Frosinone, Italy. She immigrated to Canada in l960 as
a child. She has a B.A. in English Literature and B.Ed. from York University
and presently teaches for the Toronto Catholic Board. She is the author of five
books of poetry: Italian Women and Other Tragedies (Guernica, 1994), Daughters
for Sale (Guernica, 1997), Ciao Baby (Guernica, 1999), Invisible
Woman (Lyricalmyrical, 2003), and What My Arms Can Carry (Guernica,
2005). In 2004, she published a children's book, Nonna and the Girls Next
Door (Lyricalmyrical, 2004). Gianna's poetry has appeared in a number of
literary magazines and anthologies, including The Anthology of
Italian-Canadian Writers (Guernica, 1998), Curaggia (Women's Press,
1998), Pillars of Lace (Guernica, 1998), Dagoes Read (Guernica,
1996), L'Altra Storia (Monteleone, Italy, l999), Contemporary Poets (St.
James Press, 2000), Inside Poetry (Harcourt Press, 2002), and Sweet
Lemons: Writings with a Sicilian Accent (Legas, 2004). She has read her
poetry on radio and made frequent television appearances. She has been a
featured reader at Harbourfront Reading Series and at many universities
including Yale and Calumet in the USA. Gianna's poetry has been adapted for the
stage with a very successful run at Canada Stage Berkley Street Theatre
(Toronto, 200l). She is currently working on a novel titled The Sicilian's
Bride.
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