In Nine Lives (Brandylane, 2025), a woman in her eighties, born during the Great Depression to Jewish immigrants, unveils her intimate self-transformations in the course of nine decades. 

Determined at an early age to prove herself a free spirit in a male-dominated world, as a young adult Claire Kahane went on the road, hitchhiking her way into and out of risky adventures and romantic affairs, ceaselessly chasing new experiences. But what started out as a “road book” takes a different turn in midlife when, influenced by the insights of psychoanalysis and feminism, she became a feminist professor, mother, and wife. In later life, her story changed tracks again when a visit to Auschwitz compelled her to confront her own family history of loss and renewal. This long and hard-earned coming-of-age story ends with a surprising twist that opens to a hopeful future.

Kahane is professor of English emerita at the University at Buffalo and a visiting scholar in UC Berkeley's Department of English. She is joined by Elizabeth Abel (English). After a brief discussion, they respond to questions from the audience.