Christian McEwen

WELCOME to Christian McEwen’s website. You will find excerpts from her published books, as well as an example of her uncollected prose. There is also an excerpt from her short film, Tomboys! co-produced with Julie Akeret.

Current News:
Christian's memoir of her painter uncle, Rory McEwen, has just appeared under the title, MUSIC HIDING IN THE AIR (Bauhan Publishing, 2013). It will be distributed by UPNE (University Press of New England). If you would like to buy a copy for yourself, write to Christian direct at ChristianMcEwen@​aol.com.

Rory's paintings are currently on display in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew Gardens, London, England. The show runs from 11th May-22nd September 2013.

This March, the Scottish Review of Books published Christian's essay on the Summer Isles, under the title of "Listening Out: Some Notes on Tanera." Unfortunately, the editors misremembered her name, and her by-line is given as "Christian Lewis." But the piece is really hers! Do take a look.

In December 2012, Michelle Aldredge asked if she could post some excerpts from WORLD ENOUGH & TIME on her terrific site, Gwarlingo. See

Christian McEwen on the Art of Happiness

Christian's book, WORLD ENOUGH & TIME: ON CREATIVITY AND SLOWING DOWN came out with Bauhan Publishing on 1st September 2011, and has now gone into a fourth edition (as of spring 2013).

John de Graaf was an early reader, and commented in the following terms:

"WORLD ENOUGH & TIME is, above all, simply one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I read it far too quickly because I suffer from the very disease it illuminates so well, and I am one of those who warn against this disease (hurry sickness) that is everywhere among us.

I want to read this book again (and again) and slowly, savoring the remarkably moving writing -- Christian McEwen's prose is pure poetry; she has a poet's heart! And yet, it is not just her gift with words that makes this so powerful a book. Her stories ring true and put flesh on the solid social criticism and historical insights contained in the work. Her literary erudition shines through, but with an abiding humility. Most of all, this is a book that goes to the core of our current condition and asks us to reclaim our souls. Its message about time could not be more timely. This is not just a good book.

This is a book that should become a classic."

-- John de Graaf, co-author of AFFLUENZA: THE ALL-CONSUMING EPIDEMIC and editor of TAKE BACK YOUR TIME.

In spring 2011, Edward Hirsch had a chance to read it too. He wrote, "WORLD ENOUGH & TIME is a wise book - a quiet feast, a daydreamer's manual, a work of mindfulness, which teaches us to slow down and see the world anew. Read it slowly, and come to your senses."

-- Edward Hirsch, author of HOW TO READ A POEM AND FALL IN LOVE WITH POETRY.

MONEY PLAY:

Christian has just completed a play about women and money, entitled LEGAL TENDER: WOMEN & THE SECRET LIFE OF MONEY, for which she interviewed 50 different women, ranging in age from 6 to 94.

She received a 2011 Artist Fellowship in Playwriting from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in support of this project. She has also received two grants from the Puffin Foundation, and one from the Massachusetts-based Art Angels.

SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL: Smith College Poetry Interviews:

Christian is continuing to interview visiting poets as they come to read at Smith – a project entitled "SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL.” Poets this spring included Jean Valentine, Aracelis Girmay, and W.S. Merwin.

In the last four years, Christian has interviewed some 30 other poets, among them Gwyneth Lewis, Matthew and Michael Dickman, Chase Twichell, Ko Un, Maxine Kumin and Rita Dove.

She is currently trying to raise funds to support the publication of an anthology.