Discover the story behind Cantoras as author Caro De Robertis sits down with writer and activist Kate Schatz.
Cantoras by Caro De Robertis is a beautifully written historical novel that follows five queer women in Uruguay during the military dictatorship of the late 1970s and beyond. Seeking freedom under repression, they find sanctuary in a remote shack, building a refuge where they can live and love openly despite the dangers around them. Over three decades, their bond becomes a source of healing, resilience, and chosen family as they navigate political turmoil, personal discovery, and the ongoing struggle for democracy. Through alternating perspectives and shifting timelines, De Robertis creates a lyrical portrait of found family, political courage, and the healing power of shared sanctuary—affirming the quiet courage it takes to “sing” even in silence.
A writer of Uruguayan origins, Caro De Robertis is the author of six novels, including Cantoras, The Palace of Eros, and more, as well as the nonfiction book So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-spirit People of Color. Their books have been translated into seventeen languages and have received numerous honors, including two Stonewall Book Awards, a Golden Poppy Octavia Butler Award and the John Dos Passos Prize for Literature, which they were the first openly nonbinary writer to receive. De Robertis is also an award-winning literary translator and a professor at San Francisco State University. They live in Oakland, California with their two children.
Kate Schatz is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, public speaker, and agitator for justice and liberation for all people. She is the co-author of Do the Work: An Anti-Racist Activity Book with W. Kamau Bell; the creator of the popular "Rad Women" book series; and her novel Where the Girls Were comes out in March 2026. Kate lives in the Bay Area with her wife, children, and pets.
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LOCATION:Main Library - Saroyan Area - 6th Floor CLASS:PUBLIC TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VALARM TRIGGER:-PT1440M ACTION:DISPLAY DESCRIPTION:Event Reminder - Author: Caro De Robertis in Conversation with Kate Schatz END:VALARM END:VCALENDAR