Paige Lewis’ home, filled with thousands of books, once boasted an alphabetically organized collection. However, a cat-sitting guest’s well-intentioned intervention left the library in disarray, reshuffled by color. In response, Lewis, a University of Iowa English professor and poet, commented on their struggle to restore order: “Sadly, couldn’t muster up the strength to redo the alphabetical,” a sentiment echoed from their earlier work, Space Struck.
Lewis’ upcoming debut novel, Canon, set for a May release by Viking, draws inspiration from their eclectic book collection, loosely sorted into poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and writing guides. The novel, a humorous blend of genres, follows two heroes on a quest to kill the same man, integrating Lewis’ interests in epic poetry, religion, and animals, featuring characters like a talking whale named HOWBIG! and a color-changing newt.
Describing the novel’s unique structure, Lewis remarked, “It’s secretly an epic poem in prose.” Influences include Alice Notley’s The Descent of Alette and Harry Martinson’s Aniara, both of which offer a creative take on epic themes.
Growing up in a large Catholic family in Florida, Lewis was captivated by C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and Space Trilogy, finding joy in deciphering their religious allegories. The novel Canon evolved from Lewis’ 2018 poem, “Yael,” maintaining its inspiration from the Old Testament narrative.
Lewis’ fascination with animals is evident in their home, shared with two dogs, Moosh and Galilee, and two cats, Jub-Jub and Filfy. Their library, safe from canine enthusiasm, houses books like Joanna Russ’ To Write Like a Woman and Brigit Pegeen Kelly’s Song, reflecting a deep appreciation for animal themes in literature.
Lewis speaks highly of their Iowa City environment, enriched by neighboring writers like Donika Kelly and Melissa Febos. “Just to be around so many incredible writers who were like inspirations to us before we even knew them, it’s amazing,” Lewis shares.
Among their cherished books, Heather Christle’s Heliopause stands out, particularly the poem “Elegy for Neil Armstrong.” Lewis fondly recalls its lines: “Mankind is fine / and powdery. I can pick it up / loosely with my toe.”
In their library, Lewis keeps a well-worn copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses, often played as a 30-hour radio dramatization. An old napkin with a collaborative poem written with their husband, Kaveh Akbar, adds personal history to their collection.
Lewis and Akbar’s relationship, rooted in a shared love for literature and The Simpsons, blossomed through daily poem exchanges. Today, Lewis writes primarily in Iowa City cafes, surrounded by books and notebooks, the latter accumulating throughout their home.
Despite the abundance of cherished volumes, Lewis is unreserved about their books’ treatment. “I love to dog-ear books. I love to scribble,” Lewis admits, prioritizing enjoyment over pristine condition.
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