Writer Mia Alvar to speak Wednesday at DePauw

As part of the James and Marilou Kelly Writers Series, Mia Alvar will read from her award-winning collection of short stories at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium at the Peeler Arts Center.

Alvar’s debut short story collection “In the Country” features nine distinct and plot-rich stories, and has been praised as “graceful,” “gutsy,” “rich” and “profound.”

Alvar’s stories explore Filipino culture and themes of loss and displacement through an eclectic cast of narrators — from teachers to housemaids and from mothers to sons.

The collection was selected as a best book of the year by NPR and six other publications.

The reading is free and open to the public.