Canaan (1920) : Kessinger Publishing : 9781164595618 : 116459561X : 10 Sep 2010 : Canaan is a novel written by Brazilian author Graca Aranha and first published in 1920. The book tells the story of a young man named Luzia who leaves her rural hometown to pursue a new life in the city of Rio de Janeiro. There, she becomes involved with a group of intellectuals who are striving to build a new, modern Brazil. Throughout the novel, Aranha explores themes of Brazilian identity, race, and social class. Luzia's journey to the city highlights the contrasts between the traditional, rural Brazil and the modern, urban Brazil that is emerging in the early 20th century. The title of the book, Canaan, refers to the biblical land of milk and honey that the Israelites sought after their escape from Egypt. In the novel, Canaan represents the promise of a new, better life for Luzia and the other characters who are seeking to build a new Brazil. Canaan is considered a significant work of Brazilian litera