American Widow
| Company type | Graphic memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Alissa Torres, Sungyoon Choi |
| Products | Book |
| Parent | Random House |
American Widow (2008, Random House), authored by Alissa Torres with artwork by Sungyoon Choi, is a graphic memoir that recounts Torres’s journey as a widow following the September 11 attacks. The story weaves between her challenges after 9/11—including coping with widowhood, pregnancy, media scrutiny, and navigating complex bureaucracy—and the history of her relationship with her husband, Eduardo (Eddie). The illustrations primarily consist of Choi’s artwork, complemented by photographs of Eddie and their son in selected parts.
The memoir begins on September 11, 2001, with news breaking about the assault on the World Trade Center, where Eddie had recently started working as a currency trader at Cantor Fitzgerald. Early sections describe how they met in 1998, Alissa’s pregnancy, and Eddie’s employment. The narrative then moves to the evening before the attacks, revealing some unresolved issues between them. After the tragedy, Alissa embarks on a search downtown for Eddie.
Later chapters portray her confirmation of Eddie’s passing, the process of organizing his funeral, and her difficulties obtaining support from both the Red Cross and Cantor Fitzgerald. The birth of her son is intertwined with her experiences handling media attention and dealing with organizations such as FEMA and the Salvation Army. Additional background delves into Eddie’s Colombian upbringing, emphasizing his strength in contrast to Alissa’s fragility.
The story continues into early 2002, highlighting legal obstacles and fading support from those around her. Nearing the first anniversary of 9/11, Alissa participates in a widows’ dinner organized by the Independent Women's Forum but eventually departs to commemorate the anniversary in Hawaii with her son—a location connected to memories of Eddie.
Sources consulted
- Weiss, Piper. "9/11 Widow Rebuilds Life with Son She Had Month After Attack," Yahoo! Shine (August 26, 2011).