Flowers of Baghdad

by Bruce Lyman

Are you ready for me, you on the free side of the bars? Are you ready for my story? Are you ready for foulness and sweetness together in your mouth? It is a story you will not be able to rinse out for a long time. Yet it is not very much different from hundreds and thousands of other stories in this country. Except for the moment I still live. See what Iraq has made me?
Fear and danger are always present in Baghdad. two very different men, Malik and Aadil, strangers to each other, know this only too well. All they want for their families is a normal and safe existence, free from the terror and desperation of bombs, gunfire and homelessness. How each of them is compelled to find the humanity and beauty in a world torn apart forms the riveting basis of this tale of intrigue, suspense, friendship and hope. Flowers of Baghdad is a breathtaking and heartwrenching novel in the tradition of the Kite Runner, and a story that brings the lives of ordinary people in strife-torn Baghdad luminously into focus.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Leonie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Flowers of Baghdad' is both an uplifting and deeply tragic novel, notable for its humanity, compassion and refusal to take a bitter or jaundiced view of the world, despite the painful subject matter it delves into. Given the setting, this is a surprisingly, and beautifully, domestic book. While most books set in Iraq focus explicitly on the political situation there, Lyman is not so much interested in war, politics and power struggles as in normal people and the everyday impact such conflict has on their lives. The novel centres around ‘the human factor’, presenting ordinary people doing poignantly ordinary things - drinking coffee, shopping for food, sitting in their garden at dusk - despite the fear, grief and constant enervating tension which is the backdrop to daily life in Baghdad.

The story is told in two voices in alternating chapters, with both characters using first person narration to draw the reader into the world of the novel and allow us to share their emotional journeys. Importantly, both characters in the book care about their families and are motivated primarily by the desire to protect them, and it is this which makes them so sympathetic to the reader.

Malik is a beautifully drawn and inherently dignified character; a struggling shirt-seller with a scarred face (perhaps symbolic of the unresolved conflict in Iraq and the enduring impact it has had on the population.) Despite the horrific events he has experienced and his constant fears for his family’s safety, Malik remains quietly positive and hopeful, believing in the innate goodness of people and the possibility of change for the better. He is a minute observer who gains happiness from the small kindnesses he sees around him: the American soldier who smiles and waves instead of pointing his gun, the guards giving a bath to a persistently mischievous puppy. The title of the book comes from his touching belief that each person has the capacity to be a flower to others through their life.

Aadil is a former military man and engineer. Unable to find legitimate work and desperate for money, he has agreed to build a series of complicated detonators, wilfully convincing himself that they will not be used against his fellow Iraqis. Aadil volunteers as a science teacher, with the school science labs providing the perfect cover for his work - and indeed, one of the saddest ironies of the book is the genuine talent he has for teaching and the inspirational effect he has on his students.

As the book progresses, the interconnections between the two narratives become increasingly, and heartbreakingly, apparent. One of the most poignant aspects of the book is the way that the two characters view each other, with Malik’s view of Aadil as a good man who signifies the possibility of a better and more peaceful future for Iraq proving particularly wrenching – especially as the grievous consequences of Aadil’s actions become clear to both the reader and Aadil himself.

Lyman shows the horrific and tragic results of a series of small choices, subtly exploring how a person may be responsible, and yet not necessarily ‘guilty’. Importantly, there is an inevitability to the way that events unfold, and because of this, and the strong connection the reader has developed with both characters, it is impossible for them to either condemn or excuse Aadil – nor can they flatter themselves that they would have behaved any better or differently if placed in his position. While Aadil is undeniably culpable, he is in a sense beyond our judgement and our only response can be to grieve both with and for him. The narrative framework of Aadil’s story, with him relating his story retrospectively to a ‘reporter’ from prison, is particularly effective in this regard, keeping his ultimate fate uncertain, with the possibility of figurative rescue and salvation or punishment and damnation both seeming equally plausible.

As a former high school teacher, I think 'Flowers of Baghdad' would be ideal to study with a senior English class, thanks to its skilful use of dual perspectives, direct address and other distinctive stylistic features to explore the connections between character and setting. It embraces some broad themes including war and peace, identity, place, love and redemption. It would also be invaluable in helping students develop empathy and cultural understanding, with Lyman pulling off the miraculous task of putting a human, and very recognisable face, on the traditional ‘other’. For those in NSW, it would be a perfect choice as a supplementary text for HSC Area of Study: Belonging.

Overall, an engrossing, beautiful and admirable book. Highly recommended.

[Enrica · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a topic with such depth to be written with such brevity, I felt that I'd been treated to a true gift. I LOVED it! The characters were so very believable. I felt that I was looking at a plant which had managed to germinate in the worst of conditions, between slabs of concrete but had bloomed into flower. This is a book which will stay with me for a very long time

[KurdishBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I never thought about what my rating for this book would be,I didn't even think about anything when I read it and now as I'm done reading I still don't/cant think of anything.That's weirdl

[Karen Lay-Brew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Bruce Lyman as a work colleague, I found the snippets of stories he told so interesting that it led me to reading Flowers of Baghdad. This book is a fiction based on true major events and landmarks while Bruce served in Iraq. I waded into this book tentatively expecting oppressive details of a war-torn country. Instead, Bruce Lyman enticed me into two parallel humanistic stories which became intricately woven to a climax.
The author delicately painted a picture of life in Baghdad with words that carried me into the shoes of the protagonists, to think, feel and do to survive and thrive as normal people would be pushed to under the circumstances.
Stories of war are not my usual genre of choice, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and read it a second time to write this review. Bruce is a master story teller, and here’s hoping Bruce will finish his next book very soon.

[Merete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this deserves a wide audience!
It is about ordinary families living daily with fear, danger and hope, and witness horrifying tragedies - but also trying to keep positive and appreciate even the smallest bright things life brings.
Strongly recommended.

[Joanna Kerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to engage with this book. It had some big moments but it wasn’t a page turner for me.

[baduizm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a fairly good book, a simple and easy read. Though sometimes repetitive, it was haunting and gripping as well, I found myself startled in times of conflict in the novel, especially the ending. I liked the ending. It’s not a very substantial novel but you will not regret reading it :)

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel provides an excruciating glimpse at the perspective of ordinary people going about their lives in a war torn country. Narrated by two men, whose lives gradually come together in both positive and negative ways, the confrontation by the reader with the pain and suffering endured by these families is blunt and realistic. Bruce Lyman introduces Flowers of Baghdad through the confession of Aadil, a former military man who becomes involved in undercover electronics work under the guise of teaching and Malik, a family man who owns a shirt retail business. The insecurity and fear portrayed in their daily lives is palpable. A simple read, understated but also blatantly fierce in description of events. Recommended.

[Pauleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book revealing the fundamental human side of living in a war zone with all its unpredictability. I was particularly taken with the perspective of individuals being “flowers” in the lives of others and lifting them up. The two overlapping stories reveal the contradictions of the conflict and how to survive when your major concern is the safety and survival of your family. Seemingly simple it had many layers, and yet an easy read.

[Deb Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking story dealing with the every day lives of two men and their families trying to eke out a normal living in a war torn country. How the dealings of one man effects the life of the other.

[Wellington City Libraries]

Was a thought provoking read. Very 'current'. Well written in that you got a good perspective of the two main characters. Different men, but in the end, with the same ideals.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read but has really deep content. makes one reflect about things that matter and simple things that are often taken for granted. loved the book.

[Sarah E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just could not find this interesting despite the great premise behind it.

[Sara Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke on the last sentence. Gripping, terrifying and saddening book about living in a war zone and trying to be normal!

[AdventureGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book slow at some points, but I was fascinated the whole way through.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised. This is a really good and interesting read.