“Claire of the Sea Light” Chosen for Summer Reading 2014

This summer, incoming English and World Literatures majors are asked to read Edwidge Danticat’s new novel, “Claire of the Sea Light”. The themes of her novel, as well as discussions and writing, will be woven into numerous courses offered in the Fall semester. 

Professor Cecilia Feilla, chair of the EWL department, writes of Danticat’s book, “It’s beautiful and ‘literary’, challenging in some ways but accessible in others.” The EWL department also encourages other students outside of the major to read the book and to look out for discussion events later in the fall semester.

SYNOPSIS (Random House)

Just as her father makes the wrenching decision to send her away for a chance at a better life, Claire Limyè Lanmè—Claire of the Sea Light—suddenly disappears. As the people of the Haitian seaside community of Ville Rose search for her, painful secrets, haunting memories, and startling truths are unearthed. In this stunning novel about intertwined lives, Edwidge Danticat crafts a tightly woven, breathtaking tapestry that explores the mysterious bonds we share—with the natural world and with one another.

For discussion questions from the publisher, as well as other information on the novel, click here. 

For a talk by the author on her “polyphonic” style of writing, click here.

For background information on restaveks in Haiti, click here.

Published: July 14, 2014