The Sirens of Baghdad

A young man returns to his village after the invasion of Iraq, witnessing violence that leads him into a terrorist operation in The Sirens of Baghdad.

In The Sirens of Baghdad, a young man is abruptly forced to leave his studies at the University of Baghdad due to the American invasion of Iraq. Returning to his small desert village, he is confronted with the harsh realities of war as he witnesses three horrific acts of violence perpetrated by American soldiers. This traumatic experience ignites a burning desire for revenge within him, setting him on a dark path that will forever alter his life.

As he grapples with his pain and anger, the young man eventually finds himself drawn into a radical group that seeks to exploit his feelings. He is soon embroiled in a terrorist operation that will take him to London, where he is expected to carry out a mission that he struggles to fully embrace. The internal conflict he faces highlights the complexities of his motivations and the influences that lead him to this point.

The Sirens of Baghdad is a strikingly powerful novel that delves deep into the psyche of a suicide bomber, exploring themes of loss, revenge, and the impact of war on individual lives. Authored by the IMPAC shortlisted writer of The Swallows of Kabul and The Attack, this narrative offers a poignant reflection on the human condition amidst the chaos of conflict.