The Light of the World is a beautiful book– equal parts love letter and grief memoir– that masterfully manages to bridge the gap between the poetry of love and the brutality of loss. This is a powerful story, beautifully written. Recommended reading for anyone who’s grieving a loss or simply wants to spend some time in the presence of true love.
From Goodreads: 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 into a rich, lucid prose, 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 very personal quest for meaning and acceptance in the wake of loss.
The Light of the World is at once an endlessly compelling memoir and a deeply felt 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 priceless gift of human companionship. For those who have loved and lost, or for anyone who cares what matters most, The Light of the World is required reading. Check it out on Goodreads!