Light in Dark Times: The Human Search for Meaning

by Alisse Waterston, Charlotte Corden (Illustrator)

What will become of us in these trying times? How will we pass the time that we have on earth? In gorgeously rendered graphic form, Light in Dark Times invites readers to consider these questions by exploring the political catastrophes and moral disasters of the past and present, revealing issues that beg to be studied, understood, confronted, and resisted. A profound work of anthropology and art, this book is for anyone yearning to understand the darkness and hoping to hold onto the light. It is a powerful story of encounters with writers, philosophers, activists, and anthropologists whose words are as meaningful today as they were during the times in which they were written. This book is at once a lament over the darkness of our times, an affirmation of the value of knowledge and introspection, and a consideration of truth, lies, and the dangers of the trivial. In a time when many of us struggle with the feeling that we cannot do enough to change the course of the future, this book is a call to action, asking us to envision and create an alternative world from the one in which we now live. Light in Dark Times is beautiful to look at and to hold – an exquisite work of art that is lively, informative, enlightening, deeply moving, and inspiring.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Philosophy, Anthropology, Nonfiction, Read For School, Grad School, Sociology

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[Taryn]

This is a wonderful introduction to ideas in political theory & anthropology. Loved the graphic quality of it. The discussion & drawing prompts at the end are super helpful. I’m thinking of assigning this to one of my classes.

[Stanley]

It is a cute idea but ultimately the author's lack of a philosophical background shines through too much. It is obvious she has a strong ideological bent that influences her ideas/ideals and the way she views the role of anthropology and the social sciences in the world. My main issue is that on several pages she asserts ideals without explaining why they are ideals or why one should strive for the world she envisions. I agree with much of what the book says, this isn't an ideological disagreement, I just disagree with the way she asserts these ideals as something shared by all. There is no light in these dark times, the forces of darkness are overcome those of the light. What we need now is not optimistic, pandering texts like these but pessimistic and nihilistic writings that offer a way out of the darkness despite its overwhelming power.

[Piper Strzelecki]

I was so excited to read my first (and possibly THE first) ethnoGRAPHIC novel. What an interesting way to make anthropological concepts exciting and accessible. I read it all in one sitting because I was so eager to hear the author’s thoughts.

[Jlnelso]

As a social scientist in an anxious state during election season, this helped a lot.

[Ron Christiansen]

A unique take on the graphic novel/comic tradition: an anthropology speech turned into a graphic essay or, if you can't resist, an ethnoGRAPHIC TEXT. Complex ideas from anthropology and politics visually displayed and made more accessible. Charlotte Corden starts off with very dark images symbolic of the dark times of the post-trump world. I get the overall symbolism but the art was lacking for me in the first 40 pages or so; more illustration than true synergy between word and image.

But then this starts to shift starting on page 61 with a three-panel sequential imaging about exposing power. And from here several very powerful images that move well beyond mere illustration. For example on p. 86-87 we get a small image of the illustrators at a table surrounded by gray coloring with the caption, "Nothing I do entitles me to eat my fill." Then, in similitude, the author at a table reading with the caption, "By chance I was spared." These come early in the section entitled, "Lament," reinforcing the theme of preventable human suffering.

And the original talk is a solid inspiration for the book. On p. 91 we get a powerful and succinct statement of our predicament, "We must face the fact that at the broadest level, the sorry state of the world is rooted in the logics of the global capitalist political economy, which maintains conditions of scarcity and insecurity while protecting private, concentrated wealth."

If only WE could understand these manipulations so eloquently stated here and illustrated throughout then possibly we could find some light in these dark times. But even as I write this sentence, caught up in the hope Waterson and Corden offer, I'm also leery of the full-blown optimism captured on the last page where the entire world dances and reaches out to each other with the caption, "Mutual understanding on a Gigantic Scale." Yeah, not so sure...as my friend, Derek, who actually loaned me this book said recently, "The dems will lose big in the mid-term elections and trump will be reelected."

[Elaine Webster]

I recently took advantage of a ‘Zoom’ presentation from the School for Advanced Research, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico re: Communicating Difficult Topics: Art, Aesthetics and Anthropology in Light in Dark Times. https://sarweb.org/ The two contributors, Alisse Waterston and Charlotte Corden, spoke about their recently published (University of Toronto Press) graphic novel ‘Light in Dark Times’. https://www.lightindarktimesbook.com/

I’m new to the concept of the Graphic Novel and wasn’t sure if it would appeal. However, as I listened to these two accomplished women, I found that the collaboration between writer and artist to be refreshing, clear and concise; invoking the reader’s perception to bring in new and controversial thoughts.

The webinar gave me a chance to ask about the target audience for the book and I wasn’t surprised that it was mainly developed for university classes. However, when it arrived and I cracked it open, I was taken into a world of hope. Highly recommended for the classroom and/or for an interesting new read that inspires one to think, then act, in difficult times.

[Anna]

I understand and like what the book strives to be but I feel that while searching for the light in dark times the author heavily disregards a lot of light and goes as far as to say that thinking in dark times requires “to refuse loyalty to any rigid ideology, doctrine, or dogma.” Yes it is true that things such as religion has been used by a lot of cruel people and that has cast darkness but, I believe that the author herself is biased and is as she puts it (Ethnocentric) as she fails to also recognize that a lot of religions have done a lot of positive change that have helped people both spiritually and with their physical circumstances. Religion has been a way for a lot of people to see light in times of darkness and has even propelled them to get up come and personal to attempt to achieve change as Stevenson recommends.

[Megan Bell]

In this powerful work of graphic nonfiction, an anthropologist and an illustrator-ethnologist take us on a journey through the search for meaning in troubling times. Introducing us to concepts from anthropology and political theory and to important thinkers like Hannah Arendt, Virginia Woolf, Bryan Stevenson, and many others, Light in Dark Times leads us toward four ways of forging light in dark times for ourselves and for our world.

[notformebabesbooks]

A beautifully written and illustrated book that doesn’t tell us what it means to be human, but encourages us to find that for ourselves by confronting the leaders, the global capitalist system, and the uncomfortable moments which we like to avoid. We are all here on this planet together, and while we shouldn’t allow ourselves to see the world as better than it really is, we must be encouraged to dream and work for one that is better than today.

[Christiane Alsop]

Fantastic !!!
No matter if you love humans or find them to be a dangerous beasts, no matter if you are into social sciences, the humanities, or any science, no matter if you are an artist, or engineer, assistant or CEO, this is OF PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE FOR ALL OF US.

[Ashy]

I loved some of the messages in this book, particularly about detachment being a form of action and the importance and taking action. I didn’t really get along with the style of artwork, which was disappointing.

[Ivy Stoltz]

I read this for an anthropology discussion class on what it means to live a good life, and oh my it brought me to tears. The academic inspiration and imagery was wonderful. I’ve never spent so much time looking at images in a graphic novel. Truly a fantastic read.

[Lilly]

(i wanna reread this before i give it an actual rating or review but just know that i really enjoyed it!!)

[Kristen Luppino]

A moving speech

A moving speech set to beautiful art. Thought provoking and feel of possibility. Was also sorry if was so shot, but if was a speech, so i get if.

[Ellen]

if you like anthropology this is delightful

[June]

Read for IntroAnth. I really liked this book it was kind of simple in the right way. Made me a little less sad, made me think a little more.

[ashlyn ☽]

i feel like i only ever read for school these days, but this was super hopeful and made me feel really good actually

[Hallie]

beautiful way of describing the goals of anthropology. had to read this for a class i am taking. just absolutely lovely.

[Lauren]

I would love to see more theory explained in graphic novel form. This book is so well done and helps me think about new ways of making ethnography accessible to students.