Humans deal with traumatic events in their lives in all sorts of ways. The ways people use to “deal” with these events are called defense mechanisms. In The Day Nina Simone Stopped Singing, the main character, Darina, uses a defense mechanism of desensitization to emotionally survive the war in Lebanon. Desensitizing oneself means to “extinguish … Read more
During the Iranian revolution, people were imprisoned for a number of reasons such as communism, treason, supporting the old regime and even for religion. Dalia Sofer’s, Septembers of Shiraz, focuses on a Jewish man, Isaac, who is imprisoned during the revolution for having a successful life under the Shah’s regime. While reading this book I … Read more
When the Ottomans took over control of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, they captured Christian children and converted them to Islam with the opportunity to climb the social ladder. If, however, the Christians refused to give up their past and war against their fellow Christians, they were promised a horrendous future. The conflict of … Read more
Although the struggle between the families and within the families of The Bastard of Istanbul is the main theme of the book, food plays a large role in the novel. The food mentioned in the book serves as a connection point between the two families and also builds up to the climax itself. It is … Read more
Connections from Egypt to Iraq and Beyond in Samia Serageldin’s The Naqib’s Daughter As I read Samia Serageldin’s The Naqib’s Daughter, the question arose of why she chose to write about the French invasion of Egypt. As I read this book and received the opportunity to speak to the author about the book, I … Read more
Throughout the course of the memoir, Darina puts herself out there, showing us all the events in her life that led up to her father’s death. She leaves nothing back, no gory detail, no matter how unseemly. One may argue that is because, as her father says, she is a liberated woman and does not … Read more
Throughout the world, turmoil, war, and devastation occur daily, but life- long effects on the people that must experience tragedy are rarely recognized or examined, especially the impact on children. Dalia Sofer’s The Septembers of Shiraz gives readers a unique window into the thoughts and feelings of a nine-year-old girl, who plays a main role … Read more
Shenika Rountree South Africa has the highest incidence of rape in the world. The statistics are chilling: one in two women are raped; women are more likely to be raped than to learn to read. For every 25 men accused of rape in South African 24 walk free, making the act of pressing charges almost … Read more
Laruen Pardue Put yourself in the shoes of the over two million girls a year who experience the fear and pain of female circumcision. Imagine the immense pain that they undergo while being forced by their families to be strapped down and their genitals mutilated by a doctor or midwife armed with nothing more … Read more
Bradley Pravlik How do men that exploit prostitutes know they are not being held against their will and forced to engage in sexual acts. These men are the driving cause behind the perpetuation of sexual slavery. They create the demand for the victims of sexual slavery. Yet, the laws enacted have focused on … Read more