Baghdad, Mon Amour: Selected Writings of Salah Al Hamdani

The memoir explores Salah Al Hamdani's harrowing experiences of imprisonment under Saddam Hussein and his long exile in France, culminating in an emotional return to Baghdad. It delves into his complex feelings of joy and guilt upon reuniting with family after decades apart. Al Hamdani's poignant prose and poetry shine through in Sonia Alland's translation, showcasing his journey from a political prisoner to a celebrated poet and actor. The narrative reflects themes of loss, identity, and the enduring ties of family amidst the backdrop of political turmoil.