Amman, Jordan
Jordanian censors this week banned a new novel said to have been written by Saddam Hussein, just days before it was scheduled to be published. Get Out of Here, Curse You!, which tells the story of an Arab tribesman who defeats a foreign invader, was reportedly written shortly before the U.S.–led invasion of Iraq. Jordanian officials initially okayed a publisher’s request to release the book in Jordan, but they backtracked this week, saying the book could harm relations with Iraq’s new government. Saddam was reputed to be the author of several other novels, including the popular Zabiba and the King, the story of a young girl, symbolizing Iraq, who loves her noble and protective monarch. But after Saddam’s ouster, some Iraqi intellectuals said the books were ghost-written.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzzfeature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto KnightsFeature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
