Mark Alice Durant – Summer of the White Fox, and After

Review by Rudy Vega ·

Mark Alice Durant’s Summer of the White Fox, and After is a deeply personal and reflective memoir that interweaves themes of nature, illness, loss, and the passage of time. Written during a tumultuous period in Durant’s life, the book follows his encounters with a mysterious white fox, a severe health crisis, and the deaths of loved ones, forming a narrative that is as haunting as it is beautiful.

Durant’s writing is poetic and immersive, drawing readers into both the physical world of his Baltimore neighborhood and the emotional landscapes of his experiences. His descriptions of the white fox, the shifting seasons, and the daily rituals of his walks create a sense of wonder and introspection. The fox itself serves as a powerful central metaphor, symbolizing mystery, transcendence, and the liminality between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Durant’s reflections on its fleeting appearances bring a sense of wonder to everyday life, infusing the ordinary with a touch of the sacred.

The memoir is also a harrowing account of Durant’s battle with necrotizing pancreatitis. He writes unflinchingly about the physical and emotional toll of his illness—the disorientation of hospitalization, the surreal effects of medication, and the struggle to reclaim a sense of self. These passages are raw and affecting, offering an intimate glimpse into his vulnerability. At the heart of this struggle is the steadfast presence of his wife, Bea, whose care and compassion ground the narrative in profound love. The book also explores the complexities of family, particularly Durant’s relationships with his aging mother and his son, Aiden.

A photographer as well as a writer, Durant seamlessly weaves references to art, literature, and philosophy into his reflections. For instance, his engagement with Tristan Tzara’s poem Approximate Man deepens his exploration of life’s fleeting and inexplicable moments, mirroring his own encounters with the white fox. While these references enrich the narrative, they can at times overshadow its emotional core, distancing readers from Durant’s personal story.

Visually, the book is as carefully composed as its prose. Measuring 8” X 6” with 176 pages—59 of them color photographs—it is elegantly designed, alternating between white text on midnight blue paper and black text on white. The darkened edges give the book a sense of containment, as if it were a small box of secrets, an effect Durant himself notes. The images serve as thematic markers, framing the narrative within the shifting light of morning and evening, with the sighting of the white fox and Durant’s hospitalization forming the emotional and narrative core of the book.

The nonlinear structure, while reflective of the fragmented nature of memory and illness, may be disorienting for some readers. Shifting between past and present, between the white fox and the hospital, the narrative can at times feel abrupt. Similarly, the book’s heavy reliance on metaphor, while often beautiful, can overshadow the deeply human story at its core. Yet these structural and stylistic choices ultimately mirror the book’s themes—how we process trauma, how time bends in moments of crisis, and how meaning emerges from scattered recollections.

Despite these complexities, Summer of the White Fox, and After is a beautifully crafted, deeply introspective memoir that explores the intersections of nature, art, illness, and love. Durant’s ability to find beauty and meaning amid suffering is both humbling and inspiring. While its fragmented structure and layered symbolism may not suit every reader, those drawn to lyrical prose and philosophical reflection will find much to admire. It is a poignant meditation on mortality, memory, and the quiet, enduring power of love.

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Rudy Vega is a Contributing Editor and resides in Irvine, Ca. He is a fine art photographer and writer.

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Mark Alice Durant – Summer of the White Fox and After

Photographer: Mark Alice Durant (lives in Baltimore, Maryland.)

Essays: Mark Alice Durant

Language: English

Clothbound Hardcover book, offset printing, 176 pages, 59 color images. 8×6 inches; ISBN 979-8-218-29513-4

Editor: Mark Alice Durant

Book Design: Luminosity Lab, Caleb Cain Marcus

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