Camilla Gibb, author of Sweetness in the Belly, is the author of many critically acclaimed novels such as Mouthing the Words, the Petty Details of So-and-so’s Life, The Beauty of Humanity Movement, and This is Happy.
Sweetness in the Belly follows the life of a white Muslim women, Lily, in 1970s Ethopia and 1980s London. Due to the tragic loss of her parents and the disorder in Morocco, Lily and her brother Hussein moved to Harar, where they are forced to travel their separate ways. While in Ethiopia Hussein chose to follow his spiritual journey, where as his sister lives with an impoverished family. Though born in Morocco at a Shrine, Lily was raised as a Muslim. Unfortunately, Ethiopia did not take kind to faranji, foreigners so Lily faced much discrimination. Once the revolution in Ethiopia was no longer bearable due to the Derg regime, Lily believed it was best to travel to London and begin work as a nurse. She used this as an …show more content…
When growing up Hussein taught her “all our love should be for Allah. This is the Sufi way. It is good to be freed from earthly love. It is good for a Muslim” (Gibb 60). Lily had no issues with practicing this part of her faith until she met Aziz, a moderate believer of Islam. She noticed her love for him convinced her to partake in activities she normally would not have due to the restrictions of her religion when she stated “The desire to remain in his company overwhelmed common sense; I would pick up my good Muslim self on the way home” (GIBB). Once she befriended the doctor, she began to drink an occasional glass of wine and even enjoy her Saturday afternoons with mixed company. One of the most surprising activities Lily partook in, in spite of her religion, was pre-marital practices. Though her faith was being tested, Lily never questioned her love for
Sweetness in the Belly follows the life of a white Muslim women, Lily, in 1970s Ethopia and 1980s London. Due to the tragic loss of her parents and the disorder in Morocco, Lily and her brother Hussein moved to Harar, where they are forced to travel their separate ways. While in Ethiopia Hussein chose to follow his spiritual journey, where as his sister lives with an impoverished family. Though born in Morocco at a Shrine, Lily was raised as a Muslim. Unfortunately, Ethiopia did not take kind to faranji, foreigners so Lily faced much discrimination. Once the revolution in Ethiopia was no longer bearable due to the Derg regime, Lily believed it was best to travel to London and begin work as a nurse. She used this as an …show more content…
When growing up Hussein taught her “all our love should be for Allah. This is the Sufi way. It is good to be freed from earthly love. It is good for a Muslim” (Gibb 60). Lily had no issues with practicing this part of her faith until she met Aziz, a moderate believer of Islam. She noticed her love for him convinced her to partake in activities she normally would not have due to the restrictions of her religion when she stated “The desire to remain in his company overwhelmed common sense; I would pick up my good Muslim self on the way home” (GIBB). Once she befriended the doctor, she began to drink an occasional glass of wine and even enjoy her Saturday afternoons with mixed company. One of the most surprising activities Lily partook in, in spite of her religion, was pre-marital practices. Though her faith was being tested, Lily never questioned her love for