Summer Reading for Her: Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

  Before I begin, I would like to note that the Canadian author Camilla Gibb will be in SM Baguio this March 18, 2007, Sunday at 3 pm for book signing. If you are already a fan of Gibb, I guess it is time to do some road tripping this weekend. 

   Continuing on back to this post, Sweetness In The Belly is easily classified as femme fiction. I mean who else would be drawn by the words "A Stunning Evocative of A British Woman's Quest of A British Woman's Quest for Love and Belonging in Two Very Different Worlds" but the whole female population. The word "Belonging" is oozing enough with tear jerker drama potential. However, this is Ph.D holder in social anthropology  didn't have this book shortlisted for Giller Prize (Canada's most prestigious literary award) and winning the Trilium Award for nothing. This book about a British Muslim Woman (is this a oxymoron?) struggling a cultural identity crisis in Ethopia is well written because Gibb's writing has a gentle and lyrical quality to it. As Lilly, the protoganist, recounts her life. I can't help but say that her words seem to wash over me as I read it. The writing has an unmistakable rhythm to it that seems to make me forget about the time. Aside from that, another quality of Sweetness is the setting that comes alive with the exotic aura of National Geographic. Gibb's descriptions envelope the feeling of watching a National Geographic special on Africa and all the striking images that come along with it. The book is not for everyone but it is worth taking a look at if you are in the mood of being moody.

 If this really ain't your type, check my next post as I write about Summer Reading for Him.

Author: Camilla Gibb

Publisher: Penguin

Price: Php 589.00

National Bookstore Release: Available Now!