The City Of Light (book)

The City of Light is a historical fiction novel by Lauren Belfer, published in 2008. Set in Buffalo, New York, during the Pan-American Exposition of 1901, the novel weaves together historical events and fictional narratives surrounding the assassination of President William McKinley.

The central character is Louisa Barrett, a schoolteacher at the prestigious Houghton School for Girls, who finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and political conspiracy. Louisa becomes involved with a prominent family, the Bakers, whose patriarch, Judge Baker, is deeply involved in the Exposition. She also develops a relationship with Giacomo Vigna, an enigmatic Italian artist working on the Exposition's electrical displays.

The novel explores themes of technological progress, social inequality, political corruption, and the burgeoning women's rights movement at the turn of the 20th century. Belfer's narrative incorporates real historical figures such as Nicola Tesla, and details the ambitious scope and dazzling innovations of the Pan-American Exposition, which aimed to showcase America's technological prowess.

The City of Light received generally positive reviews, praised for its meticulous historical detail, compelling characters, and suspenseful plot. Critics noted Belfer's ability to seamlessly blend fact and fiction, bringing the era to life and exploring the social and political complexities of the time. The book captures the optimism and anxieties of a nation on the cusp of great change.