Freshman Book - 2009
Hi! Welcome to the online discussion page for your summer reading, "Graceland." This page was created by students, for students. Our goal is to generate dialogue about the reading of "Graceland" so that it may lead to new and different understandings of the book, as well as demonstrate how it relates to your First Year Experience Theme: Just Living. You can also find all of the information you see here PLUS opportunities for discussion on the social networking sites Facebook and mySMC. Just search for groups titled "Graceland - Summer Reading".
This page is for you. It offers you the chance to have discussion about this important book. It's an opportunity to make yourself prepared for when you talk about this book when classes start; believe me, you will be talking about this book when classes start. So take the time to really think about "Graceland" and what is written here. I am available for you to talk to about anything about the book. Good luck and hope to talk to you soon.
About Me:
My name is Bryan Navarro, and some of you might already know me because I was an Orientation Leader this summer. I absolutely love welcoming new students to Saint Mary's and getting them ready to succeed while they're here. I truly hope you take advantage of this page and all of the other opportunities for you here.
About the author:
Chris Abani was born and raised in Nigeria. In 1985 and after his first novel was published, Chris was arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of masterminding a political coup. He was eighteen years old. Since then, he has been imprisoned twice, sentenced to death, tortured by electric shock, and published books of poetry, novels and won several literary awards. Today, Chris is a professor at University of California, Riverside.
About the book:
"Graceland" is Abani's second novel and is called the most significant novel to come out of Nigeria this decade. Within the text, there are many references to Nigerian writers who have come before him. Similarly, there are many references to pieces of American culture infused into Elvis' Nigerian life. Moreover, each chapter begins with a Nigerian recipe and an Igbo ritual. Abani masterfully blends all of these elements together into a coming-of-age tale with strong political overtones.
Lagos, Nigeria:
The novel takes place in Lagos, Nigeria, a city of about 7.9 million people which is made up of many subdivisions. The city sprouted around a large port that mostly exports crude oil. Lagos was a major city for slave trade from 1404 until it became a British colony in 1861. Nigeria finally became independent of Britain in 1960 and Lagos was named the capital city. Lagos experienced a civil war (see below) and Nigeria's capital was moved to Abuja in December 1991.
Political and Historical Africa:
http://www.brown.edu/Research/AAAH/map.htm
This is a great interactive map that shows the historical development
of political control and colonialism in Africa. There are several
mentions of a civil war and coups in Nigeria's history that some of
us might not have any background about. This map is a quick and easy
reference for historical perspective on the region. I wish I had this
when I read the book.
Some Questions to Think About:
- What is the message Chris Abani puts forth in this novel?
- Some characters had strange names, ie: Redemption, Comfort, Confidence, and Sunday. What is the importance of these names?
- How do you see "Just Living" played out in this book? Which characters are just and how are they just?
- Why does Abani go back and forth between the past and present?
- There is a lot of pain in "Graceland." Do you connect with some of their pain? How?
- What similarities and differences do you have with the characters? Are these important; why or why not?
- What is the significance placed on the traditions of the Igbo people and the Kola Nut rituals?
Difficult Issues:
There are some issues and graphic descriptions within the book that could be difficult for some readers to deal with. Should you wish to speak confidentially to a professional who can assist you in sorting through these issues, there are several resources Saint Mary's offers you.
The Counseling Center (925) 631-4364
http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/
student-life/counseling-center/index.html
The Women's Resource Center (925) 631-4171
http://www.stmarys- ca.edu/student-life/womens-resource-center/index.html
Fall Semester:
You will see "Just Living" throughout your first semester in your classes and the events around campus. One event you should know about now is one with Chris Abani. On October 14, the author will spend some time speaking with you about "Graceland" and other important matters. It's a fantastic opportunity to interact with the man behind the novel you're reading.
