Welcome to Litsy!

In war torn Iraq, a man puts together a creature made of body parts left uncollected after suicide bombings & it goes on a killing spree. It‘s more of a horror story than Shelly‘s novel. The use of Frankenstein in the title is misleading as it‘s thematically totally different. There‘s many interesting characters here but the author doesn‘t know what ones to stay with. It also goes from YA to something very dark. Another book with a naff ending.

The US occupied Iraq from 2003 to 2011 under the pretense that they they were saving the world from weapons of mass destruction. We know now that the US obliged the UN experts to do their dirty work and only when they were certain there was no nuclear weapons in Iraq, they unleashed their military onto the Iraqi population for 8 long years.

With its cast of characters, this examines what drives a man living in a bedouin town into a human bomb.

Alaska Battle of the Books High School list for 2024-2025. I am on maternity leave this semester, but I will help a bit when I‘m back in January before the battles. I am working on Sunrise over Falluja. I‘ve read Old Man and the Sea and Fighter in the Velvet gloves before.

#akbob2425 #battleofthebooks #alaskabattleofthebooks #teachersoflitsy

I am enjoying Robin‘s fresh voice. It‘s almost weird to hear the youth in the voice of an Iraq War soldier since this invasion happened when I was in 5th grade. I think Meyers‘ portrayal of the confusion and lack of knowing even in the soldiers rings true.

#akbob2425 #battleofthebooks #alaskabattleofthebooks

4.25⭐
This particular piece pulls at your emotional core, tugging at the heartstrings in a way that leaves a lasting impact. Yet, it must be noted that it also contains elements that could be described as sorrowful, adding a depth of sadness that can't be overlooked. Michael Kramer did a wonderful job of narrating. Although, there is a newer version of the book (available on Audible) with Jay Kopelman, himself, narrating the story.

Well written, good story. I can see why it won awards.
I liked the glimpse into Baghdad during the regime change upheaval. I liked most of the characters and the building of the story.
I may have enjoyed this more than the original Frankenstein.
4⭐️ recommend if you enjoy a good retelling

Physical up next
Had this on my shelf for a bit.

Originally from Iraq, Zeina has been living in the US since adolescence after her Father was tortured by the government and fled the country.

Decades later, Zeina returns to Iraq as a translator for the US Army.

This is a story of conflict. The conflict of countries. The conflict of blurred lines. The conflict within a family and the conflict within ourselves.

The war on Iraq is an uncomfortable one and this is an uncomfortable read.

I read Massoudy's "Calligraphies of Love" a couple of years ago, and this companion volume repeats the same winning formula of pairing a line of poetry with a calligraphic interpretation in Arabic. I still can't read Arabic, but fortunately the quotes are bilingually in English, too, and reading Arabic isn't necessary to enjoy the fluid grace of Massoudy's work (though it probably would enhance it).