''Claire of the Sea Light'' is a novel by
Edwidge Danticat
Edwidge Danticat (; born January 19, 1969) is a Haitian-American novelist and short story writer. Her first novel, ''Breath, Eyes, Memory'', was published in 1994 and went on to become an Oprah's Book Club selection. Danticat has since written or ...
that was published in August 2013 by
Knopf. Set in the island-town of Ville Rose,
Haiti
Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...
, it narrates the story of the disappearance of a seven-year-old girl, Claire Limyè Lanmè Faustin, and of the memories of an entire townspeople that are brought to life in the wake of her disappearance. In the words of ''
Guardian
Guardian usually refers to:
* Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another
* ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper
(The) Guardian(s) may also refer to:
Places
* Guardian, West Virginia, Unite ...
'' reviewer
Kamila Shamsie
Kamila Shamsie FRSL (born 13 August 1973) is a Pakistani and British writer and novelist who is best known for her award-winning novel '' Home Fire'' (2017). Named on ''Granta'' magazine's list of 20 best young British writers, Shamsie has bee ...
, "Danticat shows us a town scarred by violence, corruption, class disparities and social taboo, which is also a town of hope, dreams, love and sensuality. But these are enmeshed rather than opposing elements. Love leads to violence, dreams lead to corruption."
The author was a finalist for ''Claire of the Sea Light'' for the 2014
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, earning a cash prize.
The novel received a
starred review
A starred review is a book review
__NOTOC__
A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is merely described (summary review) or analyzed based on content, style, and merit.
A book review may be a primary source, opinion piece ...
in ''
Publishers Weekly'', which called the book "gorgeous, arresting, and profoundly vivid" and praised its depiction of the town. The book appeared on 2013 best book lists of ''Publishers Weekly'', ''
Library Journal
''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...
'',
National Public Radio, and ''
The Washington Post''.
"Author Edwidge Danticat to discuss her book, Claire of the Sea Light, in Wilmette"
'' Chicago Tribune'', March 2, 2014.
References
{{Reflist
External links
"The Art Of Not Belonging"
Dwyer Murphy interviews Edwidge Danticat, ''Guernica
Guernica (, ), official name (reflecting the Basque language) Gernika (), is a town in the province of Biscay, in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain. The town of Guernica is one part (along with neighbouring Lumo) of the mu ...
'', September 3, 2013.
* Deborah Sontag
"Island Magic"
'' The New York Times'', August 30, 2013
* Michiko Kakutani
"Where the Sorrow Is as Constant as the Tides"
''The New York Times'', September 5, 2013
* Kamila Shamsie
"Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat – review"
'' The Guardian'', December 28, 2013
* Susanna Sonnenberg
"'Claire of the Sea Light,' by Edwidge Danticat"
'' SF Gate'',August 30, 2013
* Laura Collins-Hughes
"Book Review: ‘Claire of the Sea Light’ by Edwidge Danticat"
'' Boston Globe'', August 24, 2013
"Haitian Youth Illuminated In 'Sea Light'"
National Public Radio, August 25, 2013
'' Los Angeles Times''
Novel articles needing attention
2013 American novels
Novels by Edwidge Danticat
Novels set in Haiti
Alfred A. Knopf books