Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Natasha Trethewey

September 15, 2010

Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Natasha Trethewey is a collection of essays, poems, and photographs that illustrate Trethewey's personal journey in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Trethewey reflects on the physical and emotional impact of the devastating storm, exploring themes of displacement, loss, and resilience. Through her writing and photographs, Trethewey highlights the strength of those affected and the creative ways they found to rebuild their lives.The book is structured around Trethewey's journey through the Gulf Coast region. She visits famous locations such as the Biloxi public library and the Grand Casino in Gulfport, but also lesser-known sites such as a shelter for displaced women, a former hunting camp and a ghost town. She interviews people along the way to gain a deeper understanding of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In sharing their stories, Trethewey creates a vivid portrait of the people and places who endured the storm.Beyond Katrina is both a tribute to the strength and resilience of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and an exploration of moral responsibility in disaster. Trethewey grapples with the idea that while it is important to take action and to help those affected, it is also necessary to take a step back and think about the consequences of these decisions. The book is an intimate and powerful meditation on grief and renewal, and an essential contribution to the literature on Hurricane Katrina.