This novel completely surprised me. From the beautiful, lyrical writing with concrete metaphors focused on the Middle East landscape and culture, to the three-dimensional characters that grabbed my attention and jumped off the pages, this author captured the power of family and friendship and the decisions a war-torn, cruel dictatorship forced its citizens to make in the hopes of surviving and providing a safer life for themselves and their families.
I've read nonfiction articles and books about the leadership of Saddam Hussein and his brother, who, in my opinion, was even more cruel and inhumane, if that was even fathomable. The lies, torture, deceptions, and sacrifices Iraqis were forced to endure tested their values and morality and so many suffered unbearable losses. This author created a fictional world that felt as if it could be a true to life story and the powerful ending will remain with me for a long time to come.
I've read nonfiction articles and books about the leadership of Saddam Hussein and his brother, who, in my opinion, was even more cruel and inhumane, if that was even fathomable. The lies, torture, deceptions, and sacrifices Iraqis were forced to endure tested their values and morality and so many suffered unbearable losses. This author created a fictional world that felt as if it could be a true to life story and the powerful ending will remain with me for a long time to come.