Catherine Barrera is a lifelong admirer of Frida Kahlo, having spent countless days immersed in the artistry and atmosphere of Casa Azul. Her debut novel, The Monkey on Frida's Shoulder, blends her academic expertise with elements of magical realism and absurdism to reimagine the world surrounding one of Mexico's most iconic artists. Barrera holds a BA in History from Stanford University and a PhD in Latin American History from the University of California, San Diego. She has taught at colleges and universities across the country, from southern Minnesota to the Bay Area, and now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and their dog, Pepino.