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The
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara
Kingsolver.
This lovely piece of fictions weaves the
actual struggles of central Africa (specifically the Belgian Congo, which
became Zaire, which became the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the
struggles of a missionary family. One is easily absorbed by the depth of
characters created by Kingsolver and it helps that the story is told from
the viewpoint of the mother and each of the four daughters. Because of
these different storytellers you gain distinctive perspectives of the
"stranger in a strange land" phenomenon. Some questions that come to mind
are: How has colonialism affected now independent countries? What ethical
dilemmas do missionaries face? How do we teach young people to appreciate
differences? Are U.S. citizens learning enough about world events?
Yvette Hubbman
Bel Canto
by Ann Patchett
Despite the fact that the book is "only" fiction, and despite the fact
that the theme of the book is love in its many guises, Ann Patchett's
Pen/Faulkner prize winner Bel Canto strikes me as the best novel
about international relations, about rich vs. poor, about human rights
being defined through art, about the human condition under duress that I
have ever read--needless to say, the topics above are not usually lumped
into one relatively thin novel very often. It's a stunner! I plan to use
it as a text at the first possibility.
David Marshall
Cry,
The Beloved Country by Alan
Paton—first published in 1948.
Why?
Because it
is a novel, and novels offer a different way of telling the truth.
Because it
is a prayer for healing.
Because it
is easier to look at someone else's apartheid than your own.
Because it
begins with these lines: "There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the
hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely
beyond any singing of it."
Jacqueline Gray
House on
Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Woman
Hollering Creek by Sandra Cisneros
I would recommend
House on Mango Street (1984) and Woman Hollering Creek (1991)
by Sandra Cisneros, creative fiction which tells two stories in short,
chapter-length poetic prose fiction. The stories deal with the struggles
of poor Hispanics (which extends to all immigrants) within the larger
American society. These struggles are seen through the eyes of a young
girl/young woman, a valuable perspective universally. Any collections of
her poetry are wonderful also.
Gayle
Checkett
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