I am pleased to tell you of the 2008 selection for the “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book…” program sponsored by Writers & Books. The selection is Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits by Laila Lalami. In her debut book, Ms. Lalami, who is Moroccan, brings her unique and much needed perspective to her writing. The book traces a small group of Moroccans as they cross the Mediterranean to enter Spain as illegal immigrants. We learn about the individual determinations and stories of each of the Moroccans in the boat, of their lives before they step into the boat, and as they enter into a country illegally.
Ms. Lalami has been scheduled for residency for the Writers & Books’ program during March 27-29, 2008. The English/Philosophy Department and the Campus Center are sponsoring Laila Lalami’s visit to MCC for Friday, March 28, 2008 during the College Hour, in the R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center, Warshof Conference Center (Monroe A and B).
Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits lends itself to discussion on the Muslim religion, illegal immigration, religious choice, the Islamic community, relationships, where one hopes to be, desire to succeed, as well as general themes of identity, resilience, determination, lust, spirituality and love. I will be incorporating the book into my Spring Introduction to Literature and will be soliciting Book Buddies.
Please help me in supporting Writers & Books’ reading selection that has timely and important topics for today’s MCC students.
For more information about the book, see:
https://www.lailalalami.com/book.html
Elizabeth Pierce
English/Philosophy Department
09/26/2007 |