Champlain Canon- Anne Meneley

Books selected by Dr.Anne Meneley, Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Champlain Fellow

Men in the Sun by Ghassan Kanafan

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-   Ghassan Kanafani was a Palestinian writer and a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He wrote several works in English and Arabic, including this one which was published in English in 1998. This moving book is a collection of Palestinian stories, and they inspire Dr. Meneley with the depth and courage that Kanafani conveys in his writing. Kanafani was involved in the Anti-Zionist movement for most of his adult life until his brutal assassination in 1972.

Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

-    This book was written by Camilla Gibb, who is a friend of Dr. Meneley. It details the unique anthropological circumstance of a white Ethiopian Muslim who is exiled in London, England. Through the eyes of the protagonist character Lilly, it conveys an incredible breadth of culture in a beautifully written manner. It also conveys the contrast between genres of writing and the anthropological communication about cultures. This book is taught in an upper-year anthropology course and is much-loved by students.

*The Champlain Canon is a review of various literary works selected by Champlain College Fellows. In the spirit of ‘Continuer Mes Decouvertes/ Continue My Discoveries’ these books inspire Champlainers to expand their intellectual and critical horizons.