Water and Light: A Diver's Journey to a Coral Reef

by Stephen Harrigan

Overview

The New York Times–bestselling author’s memoir of diving in the Caribbean offers “in precise, lucid, prose, the marvels of the sea bottom” (New Yorker).

Author Stephen Harrigan spent months diving on the coral reefs of Grand Turk Island in the Caribbean. In this evocative account, he describes his many explorations, both personal and natural. Though he is there to learn about the history of the coral reef, Harrigan freely admits that his true motivation is to become, at least for a time, his “underwater self.”

“Moving, intelligent and, in the best sense, literary. . . . Stephen Harrigan is anchored in reality; he knows that the environment he's describing is in serious jeopardy. At the same time, he has made this book sparkle with his remarkable ability to discuss the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of underwater exploration without ever sounding saccharine or murky.” —New York Times Book Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780292738423
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	02/24/2022
Series:	Southwestern Writers Collection Series, Wittliff Collections at Texas State University
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Harrigan is a former senior editor of Texas Monthly magazine who now writes full-time from his home in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents

1. My Underwater Self2. Dry Dock3. Harmonium Point4. Trees of Stone5. Tierra6. Eye to Eye7. The Pain of Water8. The Dead Whale9. Algal Ridge10. Faceless11. Lobster Rock12. Underwater Nights13. Lord Face of Water14. Homesick Turtles15. Wandering16. The Green Mirror17. Prospects18. The Burning ReefFor Further ReadingAcknowledgmentsIndex

Editorial Reviews

A sparkling account of the underwater world off the coast of Grand Turk Island in the Caribbean. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A graceful writer shares his three months of diving experiences off Grand Turk Island in the Caribbean. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Harrigan ...captures the peacefulness of being rocked by salty currents, the massive beauty of the reefs, the exhilaration of the sport, and the mental scramble to retain fast-fading memories of sights almost unimaginable on land. Fellow divers will relish his camaraderie, while those who prefer staying topside will feel as though they've taken the plunge themselves.

Booklist

Moving, intelligent and, in the best sense, literary.... Stephen Harrigan is anchored in reality; he knows that the environment he's describing is in serious jeopardy. At the same time, he has made this book sparkle with his remarkable ability to discuss the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of underwater exploration without ever sounding saccharine or murky.

New York Times Book Review

[Harrigan] tells us about the people who live on Grand Turk, or come there on business, and he is given to reflecting on the subtleties of the underwater experience, but his real virtue as a writer is his ability to convey, in precise, lucid, prose, the marvels of the sea bottom.

New Yorker

[Harrigan] tells us about the people who live on Grand Turk, or come there on business, and he is given to reflecting on the subtleties of the underwater experience, but his real virtue as a writer is his ability to convey, in precise, lucid, prose, the marvels of the sea bottom.-- "New Yorker"

Harrigan ...captures the peacefulness of being rocked by salty currents, the massive beauty of the reefs, the exhilaration of the sport, and the mental scramble to retain fast-fading memories of sights almost unimaginable on land. Fellow divers will relish his camaraderie, while those who prefer staying topside will feel as though they've taken the plunge themselves.-- "Booklist"

Moving, intelligent and, in the best sense, literary.... Stephen Harrigan is anchored in reality; he knows that the environment he's describing is in serious jeopardy. At the same time, he has made this book sparkle with his remarkable ability to discuss the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of underwater exploration without ever sounding saccharine or murky.-- "New York Times Book Review"

From the Publisher