A World of Light: Portraits and Celebrations

by May Sarton

"Its revelations, its tender frankness, its acutely sensitive observations recommend [this book] to Sarton's growing legion of readers." ― Choice May Sarton's celebrations in this book center around the friendships that flowered in her life from age twenty-six to age forty-five―between the end of I Knew a Phoenix and the beginning of Plant Dreaming Deep . Her subjects include her father, the noted science historian George Sarton; people in the arts―Elizabeth Bowen, Louise Brogan, Jean Dominique; and people who lived lives remote from the center―Marc, the vigneron of Satigny, in the foothills of the Jura mountains, and Quig, the painter of Nelson, New Hampshire.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Poetry, Nonfiction

254 pages

First published December 31, 1976

About the author

May Sarton was born on May 3, 1912, in Wondelgem, Belgium, and grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her first volume of poetry, Encounters in April, was published in 1937 and her first novel, The Single Hound, in 1938. An accomplished memoirist, Sarton boldly came out as a lesbian in her 1965 book Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing. Her later memoir, Journal of a Solitude, was an account of her experiences as a female artist. Sarton died in York, Maine, on July 16, 1995.

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've spent the better part of this year visiting with May Sarton's prolific body of work and this was one of my favorites. It filled in the imagery and gave life to so many people who showed up in her memories and wove a beautiful context behind some of the inspiration and experience that took on new lives and names in her novels.

It was a splendid selection of love notes and tributes to some of the most beloved and influential people in her life. Absolutely adored it.

[Brae Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Sarton writes about the lives of close friends, mostly artists and writers, who have inspired her. I'm fascinated at the art of people's lives; that is, the way they live from day to day, what they enjoy, what they create.

I'd love to write a book like this one day, honoring the lives of fascinating people I've met on my journey.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

the world of a mediocre mind, about his bland relationships in average words.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of May Sarton's gifts was in writing short biographical sketches rooted in particular places. People inseparable from place. These sketches focus on people who were profound influences in Sarton's early years and follow the relationships through to the end. Her least successful were of her mother and father, deeply loved but impossible to contextualize. Her best were of the writers who influenced her and whom she loved deeply. Most of them are relegated to library storage these days. But they deserve to be remembered and are revived briefly here. Sarton had a painterly eye for setting her portraits in situations that reflected the character of the subject. At times they read like travel literature with participants. But Sarton loved people more. She is kind and her touch is light. Above all, she is kind.

[kat finney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now my expertise covers just about the entire gamut of english literature (not). Yea, so my sample size isn't large, but I loved this book. Each chapter is a portrayal of a friend of May Sarton-- subtly or vastly eccentric. Her depictions are tender but yet sometimes brutally and piercingly insightful. Most of all I am stunned by her feminism and authenticity.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

May Sarton was a poet and, though I have never really enjoyed her poetry, I think her nonfiction is poetic. Her descriptions of people and places instill them with beauty because she sees them as beautiful. She described daily habits and rituals as if they are romantic ceremonies. It is always soothing to read her prose and think of being part.of a poetic world.

[Maryjoamani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, short biographical book of brief essays on people who influenced May Sarton and whom she loved--her parents, family friends, a neighbor, the writers Elizabeth Bowen and Louise Bogan, her childhood school teachers. Gives a wonderful glimpse into a strong woman's life and loves.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to know May Sarton better by reading this book. I enjoyed this book. Most of the book took place before I was born. I found it very interesting.