A review by lindaskessler
Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“The huge lorry was carrying them along the road, together with their dreams, their families, their  hopes and ambitions, their misery and despair, their strength and weakness, their past and future, as if it were pushing against the immense door to a new, unknown destiny.“

This collection of writings by Ghassan Kanafani is laden with both literal and figurative grief. The grief of loss—of homeland, of family, of life and limb. But these stories are not solely of the Palestinian people; Kanafani wrote so that others might see themselves reflected in his tales.

So thankful to @readingforpalestine for starting their international book club and selecting this as a #bookclub read. 

In “Men in the Sun” I saw ties to my sister’s father’s journey from Mexico to the US as he risked everything for an opportunity to change his life. His trek took a different turn than that of Marwan, Abu Qais, and Assad, but in their story I felt his.

“The Land of Sad Oranges” is for me a somber reflection of the plight of indigenous peoples, particularly those affected by American colonialism. I wonder what our country would look like if the land had been cared for by people who truly called it their homeland.

“If You Were a Horse” is a story about trauma, and more specifically parental trauma that affects one’s relationship with their child. I am sure many readers, like myself, saw elements of this story in their own.

While these stories express pain and grief, they also tell of hope, resilience, change, resistance, and community. In the last writing, “Letter from Gaza,” there is a resounding feeling of steadfastness and resolve in spite of unimaginable circumstances. This collection is heavy and important; I do hope you’ll sit down with it. As #freepalestine protesters have coined—in our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians 🇵🇸 

“I won’t come to you. But you, return to us! Come back, to learn […] what life is and what existence is worth. Come back, my friend! We are all waiting for you.“