Book: The Light of the World

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The Light of the World

Elizabeth Alexander, the Frederick Iseman Professor of Poetry and professor of African American studies and American studies

(Grand Central Publishing)

In “The Light of the World,” Elizabeth Alexander finds herself at an existential crossroads after the sudden death of her husband. Channeling her poetic sensibilities, Alexander tells a love story that is, itself, a story of loss. As she reflects on the beauty of her married life, the trauma resulting from her husband’s death, and the solace found in caring for her two teenage sons, Alexander universalizes a personal quest for meaning and acceptance in the wake of loss.

“The Light of the World” is at once a memoir and a meditation on the blessings of love, family, art, and community. It is also a lyrical celebration of a life well-lived and a paean to the gift of human companionship.

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