A handful of times in my life I have finished a book and turned it over to start again. Sometimes I want to carry the book around with me even after I’ve closed the pages, just to look at the cover and remember. I finished reading I’jaam – An Iraqi Rhapsody by Sinan Antoon three days ago, and I keep going back to pick it up and read.
In this fictional memoir, a forgotten manuscript is found in a filing cabinet of an Iraqi prison. Someone must read through it and determine what should be done with it. The entire book is that manuscript, which was written by a poet jailed during Sadaam’s regime. The mixture of beauty and pain throughout reminds me of Elie Wiesel’s Night, a deeply moving story of a Nazi concentration camp victim.
Weighty in substance but not difficult to read, I’jaam deserves to go down in history as an account of what happened in the Iraq of Sadaam’s terror. This book is not political. It is deeply human, and no matter what your race, religion, or ethnicity, you will walking away with more understanding and compassion. The book’s 97 pages allows the reader to finish in a few submersed hours which gives it more of an impact.
Sinan Antoon was born in Baghdad and now lives in New York where he teaches Arabic literature and culture at NYU. He’s also a poet, a novelist, and a filmmaker, having co-directed and produced a documentary called About Baghdad.
Win Your Own Copy: If you want to experience I’jaam too, I am fortunate enough to have a copy to give away. Leave a comment here telling me what intrigues you about the book. For another entry, post a link on your blog to this giveaway. If you are subscribed to carp(e) libris reviews, you are already entered to win this and all other book giveaways here, but feel free to comment and link for extra entries as well. The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday March 2, 2008, at 12:00pm.
Buy I’Jaam here and support carp(e) libris and your local bookseller.
Published by City Lights Books.
It looks intriguing
Hi, I believe the news only tells the tip of the ice beg about stories. Of course, I have only heard and read in the newspapers about Sadaam and his reign of terror. I also like the fact that you can read it quickly. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks very much…..Cindi
It looks like a great book and I can’t wait to read it whether I win it or not. Thank you for the giveaway.
This sounds like a compelling book. Thanks for the chance.
As another poster noted, I feel the news only shows us a little of the “average” Iraqi people and their culture. I would welcome the opportunity to learn more through this book.
Truely sad
wow what a great idea
I absolutely adored Elie Wiesel’s book Night so I would love to read this recommended book of yours! Please enter me to win.
Looks like a great way to learn about pre-war Iraq while reading an intriguing story.
I haven’t read it but I’d like too.
Great Book. Love Elie Wiesel.
we don’t really hear a lot from the iraqi point of view
Sounds fascinating. I’d love to read anything that can be compared to Night.
Hi, I’m a graduate student in 20th century Middle East studies and LOVE these types of semi-fictional memoirs, like the Yacoubian Building. However, since I’m a graduate student, I can’t afford books outside my current class studies. This would make an awesome addition to my library.
I think I live a sheltered life so I enjoy reading about other cultures
I think I tend to ignore the personal side of the War for a variety of reasons. It sounds like a good way to think about it! Thanks for your reviews!
I am intrigued to read an account of what happened in the Iraq of Sadaam’s terror – and to read a book you want to keep going back to. Thanks.
Wow, I’d love to win this book. It’s probably not a book I would have normally picked up, but your review makes me very impatient to read it!
I am very interested in this book, because it tells the real story. We’ve heard all sorts of (often conflicting) reports about Iraq, but from the American media, not the Iraqui people.
this looks like it would be a good read
I’m a passionate reader of everthing to do with the Middle East. I’d eat this up!
[...] at carpe libris review is giving away a copy of I’jaam by Sinan Antoon. Her review makes this book one that, even if I don’t [...]
This looks very interesting
I’m always fascinated to read everyday accounts of ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances. This sounds like something similar to Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl, only fictional. Would love to win a copy.
This sounds great! I’d love to be in the drawing.
(Over here via Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?)
I’d love to be included in the drawing, thanks for doing this!
It sounds like a very deep, touching, and memorable read.
I always like reading the insider’s story, especially about a place so conflicted as Iran. I’ve had my eye on this book for a while, and would love a copy to read!
I just found your site, and I just know I’m going to be adding more books to the TBR pile.
The title I’jaam intrigues me. I want to read the book to find out what it means!
I would love to read this-it does sound compelling! Thank you!
sounds like a good read
I’m fascinated with other cultures and I’m constantly reading books that allow me glimpses into the lives of my fellow humans. This one looks so interesting; I would absolutely love to read it.
The comparison to Elie Wiesel’s “Night”, one of my favorite books, would make this a must-read.
COOL
Sounds very interesting
Sounds very interesting…please enter me in the drawing.
JayMSluyter@aol.com
An interesting sounding book.
Nice
I am very interested in what went on Iraq before the US invaded. This book may fill in some blanks.
We don’t know what really happened during Sadaam’s regime. This book should be interesting.
it sounds interesting to me, i would like to be more informed of Iraq and Sadaam
I am curious about this
the book has a really interesting title, it sounds like it would be a great read.
I love books about other cultures, it’s very interesting to me.
I would love to read this book
I feel like I really do need
to know more about the people
of Iraq,aside of what the media
and newspapers tell you.Someone
who has lived through it only
really knows this and it would
clear up alot of misconceptions.
it would be really interesting to get an insiders view of that time, i don’t really know anything about the subject.
I am intrigued by the mixture of beauty and pain. In the midst of human tragedy the beauty o the human spirit often shines brightly.
Sounds like a very interesting book! I would love to read this book to hear a different view of things in Iraq. My husband spent 16 months there but doesn’t like to talk about it. Thanks! ~
All the books I read here give me to pause for reflection
I think it would be very moving to get a view of what it would be like to be a victim under the Sadaam regime.
ENTER ME PLEASE!