In Homelands, writers investigate the complexities of how women experience, remember, and imagine journeys to their homelands. Approaching the topic from varying perspectives — exile, longing, belonging, diaspora, idealization — they show that “homeland” isn't just a physical place. It can also be an imagined community, a part of one's identity, or simply a wavering memory. It’s a world we create and re-create every day.
Among the contributors are Etel Adnan, who describes her life as an exile from Beruit after choosing to leave a city at war. Agate Nesaule, who as a youngster left Latvia under Nazi and Soviet threat, writes of envying a young Latvian girl's life, rich in place, language, and music. Sarah McCormic echoes the experience of many “American mutts” who can claim so many heritages that they feel a connection to none.
The writers in this collection beautifully capture the complicated notion of homeland and reflect the diversity of women's realities in the world.
For any of my friends who are immigrants themselves, the children of immigrants, or who have lived away from the country of their birth. Beautiful, powerful, amazing book. My copy is dog-eared, tear-stained, crinkly from two bouts of waterlogging, and generally very worn from hours of train reading. It's a badge of honor, I never wear my books so hard.
Beautiful, heartbreaking, and touching. Amazing strength of these woman, and opened my eyes to how lucky I have been and also to what's going on outside of the U. S. It brought to light the how people are suffering, come to America to escape and suffer more at stereotypes and racism. I think this book should be a must read in all schools!