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فتيان دجلة
"فتيان دِجلَة" الرواية من تأليف الكاتبة العراقية الويلزية رقية عز الدين وترجمة ربيع هندي ومراجعة وتحرير مركز التعريب والبرمجة في بيروت. تم ترشيح هذه الرواية لجائزة بيتي تراسك وفازت بها، وهي تروي حكاية إنسانية حيّة، وتعرض صورة مغايرة عن حرب العراق.
ففي شتاء عام 1915، وبينما العراق غارق في الحرب العالمية الأولى، ترك أحمد الشاب العراقي – الطامح للوصول إلى استقلال بلده عن الحكم العثمانيّ – حياته الأسرية الهادئة على ضفاف دجلة وانضمّ إلى الثورة التي قادتها بريطانيا. وفي الوقت نفسه، وعلى بعد آلاف الأميال، تجنّد الشاب كاروين الويلزي في الجيش البريطاني على مضض، وأُرسل في حملة إلى بلاد ما بين النهرين. وهكذا تقاطع مسارا كاروين وأحمد، وارتبط مصيرهما معاً؛ فتغيّرت شخصيّتاهما إلى الأبد، ليس فقط بسبب تجربة الحرب التي عاشاها، وإنّما بسبب الظلم والخيانة اللذين واجهاهما على حد سواء.
رواية رقيّة عز الدين الأولى "فتيان دِجلَة" تُقدّم إعادة سرد قويّة لتاريخ التدخّل البريطانيّ في العراق وهي مليئة بالذكريات المؤثرة، وغنيّة بالحزن والشغف اللذين ينشآن عندما يتعارض الفقدان الشخصي مع الحماسة السياسيّة.
ففي شتاء عام 1915، وبينما العراق غارق في الحرب العالمية الأولى، ترك أحمد الشاب العراقي – الطامح للوصول إلى استقلال بلده عن الحكم العثمانيّ – حياته الأسرية الهادئة على ضفاف دجلة وانضمّ إلى الثورة التي قادتها بريطانيا. وفي الوقت نفسه، وعلى بعد آلاف الأميال، تجنّد الشاب كاروين الويلزي في الجيش البريطاني على مضض، وأُرسل في حملة إلى بلاد ما بين النهرين. وهكذا تقاطع مسارا كاروين وأحمد، وارتبط مصيرهما معاً؛ فتغيّرت شخصيّتاهما إلى الأبد، ليس فقط بسبب تجربة الحرب التي عاشاها، وإنّما بسبب الظلم والخيانة اللذين واجهاهما على حد سواء.
رواية رقيّة عز الدين الأولى "فتيان دِجلَة" تُقدّم إعادة سرد قويّة لتاريخ التدخّل البريطانيّ في العراق وهي مليئة بالذكريات المؤثرة، وغنيّة بالحزن والشغف اللذين ينشآن عندما يتعارض الفقدان الشخصي مع الحماسة السياسيّة.
358 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2018
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876 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 2, 2019
THE WATERMELON BOYS by Ruqaya Izzidien was a solid 4⭐️ read for me. Izzidien’s novel is largely set in Iraq during WWI; during this time Iraq transitions from Ottoman to British rule aided by the latter’s deception of Iraqis. Two of the main perspectives in this story are Ahmad, a Baghdadi family man who wants to liberate his country, and Carwyn, a young Welsh boy who is forced to enlist and fight for the British. Yusuf, Ahmad’s son, is one of the “Watermelon Boys”; his story is set on the outskirts of Baghdad where he lives with his family.
Izzidien‘s novel is a great attempt to reclaim historical narratives on the political turmoil in Iraq. Her novel explores the western intervention that is driven by the greed for oil and it confronts the stereotype of the savage Arab that the west creates to justify their colonisation. A great historical fiction since Izzidien consulted actual historical documents to recreate the narrative. This was what I loved most about the book; I learned so much about Iraq’s history from reading the characters’ stories. Ahmad’s journey as a Baghdadi torn and manipulated by conflicting powers that want to claim Iraq was also one of the main strengths of this story. He’s a Baghdadi father and husband who is trying his best to liberate his country, and he does what he thinks is best. Another aspect of the novel I loved was seeing the rebellion and uprising of the Baghdadi’s against the British, especially as it gathers momentum in the story. The unison of the Shia and Sunni sects of the Muslim community and the voice of the Baghdadi’s against the British was wonderfully done. Ahmad’s son Yusuf is central to this part of the story and we get to know his character more intimately as a result. Overall, Izzidien captures the ground reality of a war torn region; from the day to day struggles, the emotional traumas, the struggle of soldiers who are forced to join the fight, and the surprisingly humour that people engage in to aid their struggle for survival in war.
.
While it was a great book, I have to admit I had trouble with the narrative; the characters’ voices felt overwhelmed by the omniscient narrative of the author (and that’s why this is not a perfect 5⭐️ read for me). As a result I struggled to connect with the characters until much later. Additionally, this is a war story so violence is expected, but one violent chapter in particular really bothered me as it depicts violence against the female body. In the overall context of the story I think it could have been left out and perhaps replaced with some other incident that influences the arc of the violent character in question. So skip the latter half of chapter 22 if want to avoid the graphic violence.
I’d *highly recommend* THE WATERMELON BOYS if you’re looking for a historical fiction that will give you perspective on Iraq’s wars. I learned a lot from reading this book and that to me was the biggest takeaway. I would love to read what the author writes next. So thank you to the author and Hoopoe Fiction for sending me a copy to review!
Izzidien‘s novel is a great attempt to reclaim historical narratives on the political turmoil in Iraq. Her novel explores the western intervention that is driven by the greed for oil and it confronts the stereotype of the savage Arab that the west creates to justify their colonisation. A great historical fiction since Izzidien consulted actual historical documents to recreate the narrative. This was what I loved most about the book; I learned so much about Iraq’s history from reading the characters’ stories. Ahmad’s journey as a Baghdadi torn and manipulated by conflicting powers that want to claim Iraq was also one of the main strengths of this story. He’s a Baghdadi father and husband who is trying his best to liberate his country, and he does what he thinks is best. Another aspect of the novel I loved was seeing the rebellion and uprising of the Baghdadi’s against the British, especially as it gathers momentum in the story. The unison of the Shia and Sunni sects of the Muslim community and the voice of the Baghdadi’s against the British was wonderfully done. Ahmad’s son Yusuf is central to this part of the story and we get to know his character more intimately as a result. Overall, Izzidien captures the ground reality of a war torn region; from the day to day struggles, the emotional traumas, the struggle of soldiers who are forced to join the fight, and the surprisingly humour that people engage in to aid their struggle for survival in war.
.
While it was a great book, I have to admit I had trouble with the narrative; the characters’ voices felt overwhelmed by the omniscient narrative of the author (and that’s why this is not a perfect 5⭐️ read for me). As a result I struggled to connect with the characters until much later. Additionally, this is a war story so violence is expected, but one violent chapter in particular really bothered me as it depicts violence against the female body. In the overall context of the story I think it could have been left out and perhaps replaced with some other incident that influences the arc of the violent character in question. So skip the latter half of chapter 22 if want to avoid the graphic violence.
I’d *highly recommend* THE WATERMELON BOYS if you’re looking for a historical fiction that will give you perspective on Iraq’s wars. I learned a lot from reading this book and that to me was the biggest takeaway. I would love to read what the author writes next. So thank you to the author and Hoopoe Fiction for sending me a copy to review!
did-not-finish
May 15, 2020Bailed at the 40% mark. Occasional glimpses of literary merit, but read much more like genre historical fiction than literary fiction and I just wasn’t invested enough to finish.
March 10, 2019
Set between Iraq and Wales, The Watermelon Boys is a novel that explores man's quest for purpose and self-determination when the drivers of war are dead set against you. Its central male protagonists share a journey of overwhelming guilt and loss, while tender stories of love sit only on the outskirts of the story.
Ruqaya Izzidien's re-imagining of Baghdad and life on the Tigris are beautifully evocative, while scenes of violence are described in painful detail - something I didn't expect when I started this accessible read.
In re-opening this early twentieth century chapter in Iraq's history, through the lens of the occupied and colonised, Ruqaya has achieved a rare feat. Her thoroughly researched settings and characters sit among a new but growing body of English language literature on Iraq. Her portrayal of Mesopotamia's various ethnic and social groups is crucial in understanding modern-day Iraq beyond simplistic headlines, not to mention Britain's early role in destabilising the country.
For me, Carwyn's character was the most convincing, and I found myself wanting to know more about the contradictions within his struggle. I didnt get to know Dabriya's inner workings enough, as well as some of the other characters, maybe because of the third person narration or the switch in locations. Amittedly, too, the heavy focus on and descriptions of the battlefield may not be to everyone's taste. It needed a little left unsaid. But the story culminates into a dramatic final passage that will leave you stunned.
Ruqaya Izzidien's re-imagining of Baghdad and life on the Tigris are beautifully evocative, while scenes of violence are described in painful detail - something I didn't expect when I started this accessible read.
In re-opening this early twentieth century chapter in Iraq's history, through the lens of the occupied and colonised, Ruqaya has achieved a rare feat. Her thoroughly researched settings and characters sit among a new but growing body of English language literature on Iraq. Her portrayal of Mesopotamia's various ethnic and social groups is crucial in understanding modern-day Iraq beyond simplistic headlines, not to mention Britain's early role in destabilising the country.
For me, Carwyn's character was the most convincing, and I found myself wanting to know more about the contradictions within his struggle. I didnt get to know Dabriya's inner workings enough, as well as some of the other characters, maybe because of the third person narration or the switch in locations. Amittedly, too, the heavy focus on and descriptions of the battlefield may not be to everyone's taste. It needed a little left unsaid. But the story culminates into a dramatic final passage that will leave you stunned.
February 21, 2019
The present is an arrogant time in which to live, always has been. Humans of the present look back at their people, land, and history, and whisper to themselves with glee, We are not them. But we were always them. We are our history; we are the crimes of our ancestors. And we wait, mouths agape, to hear tales of hope, as though good could triumph in such a world.
_________________________
Where do I start with this book! It has been one hell of an experience because I loved everything about it. From characters to the theme of the story, everything set the mood. I would say go slow with this one, don't rush and let it settle your apprehensions and doubts on its own.
The story takes place in Iraq during the First World War. Ahmad and Carwyn are the two main characters, but you might feel connected with other characters more as I did. It's a story about two families who have lost many things in the face of war and gained a few.
I'm glad that I read this one because there are many things I would like to say but I'm unable to articulate my thoughts on it. Being a historical fiction fan, I loved it to bits. I would recommend it to everyone who loves to read war stories and also who doesn't because you won't be disappointed.
_________________________
Where do I start with this book! It has been one hell of an experience because I loved everything about it. From characters to the theme of the story, everything set the mood. I would say go slow with this one, don't rush and let it settle your apprehensions and doubts on its own.
The story takes place in Iraq during the First World War. Ahmad and Carwyn are the two main characters, but you might feel connected with other characters more as I did. It's a story about two families who have lost many things in the face of war and gained a few.
I'm glad that I read this one because there are many things I would like to say but I'm unable to articulate my thoughts on it. Being a historical fiction fan, I loved it to bits. I would recommend it to everyone who loves to read war stories and also who doesn't because you won't be disappointed.
October 7, 2018
"The present is an arrogant time in which to live, always has been. Humans of the present look back at their people, land, and history, and whisper to themselves with glee, We are not them. But we were always them. We are our history; we are the crimes of our ancestors. And we wait, mouths agape, to hear tales of hope, as though good could triumph in such a world.
But every century, every desperate land, every present, has its own moment of optimism, an instant in which its people are so sure, just like their fathers before them, that something better is possible. They tell themselves that their souls are better now, more compassionate, more powerful. This time it will be different."
(p. 1)
"And as he stood, waiting beside the Tigris, with another uninvited ghost hammering at his skull, he could find no reason why he deserved better than this. Maybe he would just sit here, forever, with these demons and this dirt, and this haunting, merciless river, and learn to live silently with his thundering regret."
(p. 323)
But every century, every desperate land, every present, has its own moment of optimism, an instant in which its people are so sure, just like their fathers before them, that something better is possible. They tell themselves that their souls are better now, more compassionate, more powerful. This time it will be different."
(p. 1)
"And as he stood, waiting beside the Tigris, with another uninvited ghost hammering at his skull, he could find no reason why he deserved better than this. Maybe he would just sit here, forever, with these demons and this dirt, and this haunting, merciless river, and learn to live silently with his thundering regret."
(p. 323)
December 30, 2019
The postscript to this novel is a quote from 2003 in which a commander in the the fourth infantry division says " You have to understand the Arab mind. The only thing they understand is force-force, pride and saving face". The opening sentence of the book tells us that 'the present is an arrogant time in which to live, always has been '. Those two quotes define the importance of this historical novel, and remind me as a reader why fiction has such power to allow us to reflect upon the impact upon individuals and societies of oppression and colonialism and how the tentacles of cruel action and history resound today, thus invading forces in2003 carried the colonial history in their backpacks and the consequent resentment.
The book opens with Ahmad, an Iraqi soldier returned from fighting with the Turkish forces in 1915 in the fight for that country as a main battle in ww1. Disillusioned by war, his own behaviour, and the treatment of both jewish and Armenian neighbours he sees the turks as oppressors and returns to the fight with the British ,leaving at home his teenage sons, wife and yng daughter.
In 1910 we also meet carwyn a boy in a welsh village who sees the English troops march into repress striking miners with brutal force but in 1916 is drafted into the army at the instigation of his cruel stepfather and finds himself via gallipoli in the middle east.
The book then explores through Ahmad and his family the experience of war in Iraq and the British repressive colonial regime which carves up the country betraying promises of independence with terrible violence upon civilians including bombing of villages, setting fire to homes and killing without cause the people seeking to escape the yoke of rule by an outside power who see the Arab as nothing more than savages.
This book is incredibly readable with characters drawn with whom as a reader I was able to empathise and in whose fate I was completely absorbed.
Whilst I'm sure the prose style may at times not be to every readers taste I couldn't put this down and just for the sheer brilliance of allowing me to glimpse an important part of history I have moved this from 4 to 5* enjoying the passion of the writing.
I put the book down knowing more about a period of history unknown to me beforehand, able to reflect on the impact of colonialism and how history still has an impact today and lessons are never learnt.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
The book opens with Ahmad, an Iraqi soldier returned from fighting with the Turkish forces in 1915 in the fight for that country as a main battle in ww1. Disillusioned by war, his own behaviour, and the treatment of both jewish and Armenian neighbours he sees the turks as oppressors and returns to the fight with the British ,leaving at home his teenage sons, wife and yng daughter.
In 1910 we also meet carwyn a boy in a welsh village who sees the English troops march into repress striking miners with brutal force but in 1916 is drafted into the army at the instigation of his cruel stepfather and finds himself via gallipoli in the middle east.
The book then explores through Ahmad and his family the experience of war in Iraq and the British repressive colonial regime which carves up the country betraying promises of independence with terrible violence upon civilians including bombing of villages, setting fire to homes and killing without cause the people seeking to escape the yoke of rule by an outside power who see the Arab as nothing more than savages.
This book is incredibly readable with characters drawn with whom as a reader I was able to empathise and in whose fate I was completely absorbed.
Whilst I'm sure the prose style may at times not be to every readers taste I couldn't put this down and just for the sheer brilliance of allowing me to glimpse an important part of history I have moved this from 4 to 5* enjoying the passion of the writing.
I put the book down knowing more about a period of history unknown to me beforehand, able to reflect on the impact of colonialism and how history still has an impact today and lessons are never learnt.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
October 4, 2023
2.5 stars. This is a difficult book for me to review as I bought it because it was giving an Iraqi (then Mesopotamian) view of their conflict with firstly the Ottomans and then the British around the time of the First World War - and as a book it delivers on this. I learnt a lot and the passages on the false British promises and political machinations that followed these were the amongst the strongest elements for me. Sadly this is a period and series of events that I and I suspect most other people in the UK know next to nothing about and, sadly predictably, it is a pretty despicable one.
However I can’t get away from the fact that from a literary perspective this just wasn’t right for me. It is absolutely written as genre historical fiction and with a narrative that is very much tell and not show (which is a real peeve of mine). I’m definitely glad to have read it and to learn something new and gain a different perspective as well as the impetus to read more about the period. Given the popularity of this type of fiction there is certainly more of an audience for it and it absolutely deserves to be more widely read, it’s just sadly not really the style or genre for me.
However I can’t get away from the fact that from a literary perspective this just wasn’t right for me. It is absolutely written as genre historical fiction and with a narrative that is very much tell and not show (which is a real peeve of mine). I’m definitely glad to have read it and to learn something new and gain a different perspective as well as the impetus to read more about the period. Given the popularity of this type of fiction there is certainly more of an audience for it and it absolutely deserves to be more widely read, it’s just sadly not really the style or genre for me.
December 7, 2018
This extraordinary debut novel travels from 1915 to 1920 as World War I rages not only in Europe but in the Middle East. On the banks of the Tigris outside Baghdad, Ahmad is a devout family man who is also a warrior. The British have promised to liberate his countrymen from Ottoman rule. He joins the revolt. The battle is triumphant and Ahmad returns to his wife, daughter and two boatmen sons (the watermelon boys of the title). But soon he realizes that the trials of their separations, flooding and starving times pale as their allies become conquerors.
A young coal mining Welshmen named Carwyn escapes an abusive homelife and finds himself also engaged in the Mesopotamia campaign. Because “a conquored man always knows conquest when he sees it,” the young Welshman teaches himself Arabic and soon he is not under the illusions being fostered on his fellow soldiers by their British commanders.
Carwyn’s and Ahmad’s fates intertwine. Neither good man can escape larger forces that bring misunderstanding, loss and bloodshed born of discrimination and betrayal.
This is the history and point of view of British intervention in Iraq that is seldom seen. Beautifuly rendered in rich and evocative prose, Carwyn, Ahmad and his rich-in-love-and-humor family and friends come alive in a way that lifts the soul and sears the heart. Highly recommended.
A young coal mining Welshmen named Carwyn escapes an abusive homelife and finds himself also engaged in the Mesopotamia campaign. Because “a conquored man always knows conquest when he sees it,” the young Welshman teaches himself Arabic and soon he is not under the illusions being fostered on his fellow soldiers by their British commanders.
Carwyn’s and Ahmad’s fates intertwine. Neither good man can escape larger forces that bring misunderstanding, loss and bloodshed born of discrimination and betrayal.
This is the history and point of view of British intervention in Iraq that is seldom seen. Beautifuly rendered in rich and evocative prose, Carwyn, Ahmad and his rich-in-love-and-humor family and friends come alive in a way that lifts the soul and sears the heart. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2019
The recent shenanigans over red paint being thrown over a war memorial soldier made out of scraps of tin in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, highlight how much pearl-clutching is still happening over memorialising WWI. To my mind, it's unedifying to wring one's hands over paint on a statue when WWI was an unrelenting, unrestrained, bloody, horrific, unnecessary sh*tshow from start to finish. This desire to sanitise, make decent, something that is indecent both in conception and execution - I don't understand it. Thank God, then, for Ruqaya Izzidien's debut novel which reminds the reader of exactly that. The Watermelon Boys explores the effect of that war on a family in Mesopotamia (Iraq, as is) and a young boy growing up in Wales and it is heartbreakingly beautiful and sad.
Through the eyes of Ahmed in Baghdad and Carwyn in Wales, we see how imperialism in its ultimate form - the war to end all wars - destroyed (destroys) societies, lands, peoples - as well as the souls of the men it coerces into fighting on its behalf. This poisonous legacy is the grandfather of the Gulf Wars and the great-grandfather of terrorist movements and protracted wars in the region. Izzidien paints an evocative picture of society in Baghdad, where Jews and Muslims live together as friends, before the Arabs are betrayed by the British after the war is over. Carwyn, forced into volunteering by a brutish English stepfather, is beaten by his schoolmaster for speaking too many words of Welsh. Their plights are not the same, but neither are they are altogether different.
Ahmad is in many ways a quiet hero, retaining his values and integrity in spite of the viciousness of war around him and the losses he suffers. He is sustained by his wife Dabriya, a courageous woman, but even she cannot banish his memories of war. The battle scenes in which he is involved are impeccably described and Izzidien's hard work is clear to discerning readers. There are moments of sharp humour and observation among the tragic arc.
The novel is not perfect. The younger characters felt interchangeable, and the romance between Amina and Yusuf didn't move me that much. Also, the author has an understandable tendency to over-editorialise in the last section when the English are selling out the Arabs and demanding to be thanked for it. Allowing the abominable facts, and the characters' reactions to them, to speak for themselves would strengthen the outrage, not diminish it as Izzidien seems to fear it might. But those caveats aside, this is a powerful, beautiful novel, demanding to be read by anyone interested in WWI fiction, and those who are not.
Through the eyes of Ahmed in Baghdad and Carwyn in Wales, we see how imperialism in its ultimate form - the war to end all wars - destroyed (destroys) societies, lands, peoples - as well as the souls of the men it coerces into fighting on its behalf. This poisonous legacy is the grandfather of the Gulf Wars and the great-grandfather of terrorist movements and protracted wars in the region. Izzidien paints an evocative picture of society in Baghdad, where Jews and Muslims live together as friends, before the Arabs are betrayed by the British after the war is over. Carwyn, forced into volunteering by a brutish English stepfather, is beaten by his schoolmaster for speaking too many words of Welsh. Their plights are not the same, but neither are they are altogether different.
Ahmad is in many ways a quiet hero, retaining his values and integrity in spite of the viciousness of war around him and the losses he suffers. He is sustained by his wife Dabriya, a courageous woman, but even she cannot banish his memories of war. The battle scenes in which he is involved are impeccably described and Izzidien's hard work is clear to discerning readers. There are moments of sharp humour and observation among the tragic arc.
The novel is not perfect. The younger characters felt interchangeable, and the romance between Amina and Yusuf didn't move me that much. Also, the author has an understandable tendency to over-editorialise in the last section when the English are selling out the Arabs and demanding to be thanked for it. Allowing the abominable facts, and the characters' reactions to them, to speak for themselves would strengthen the outrage, not diminish it as Izzidien seems to fear it might. But those caveats aside, this is a powerful, beautiful novel, demanding to be read by anyone interested in WWI fiction, and those who are not.
December 22, 2018
There is so very much to say about this book. But I will tell you this. I. LOVED. IT. It is worth 10 🌟 if you buy it, not a single penny will be wasted. It is based in First World War Iraq in 1915 and tells the tale of two families during this time, as well as a Welsh soldier. The characters are explored in such a way that as we dive into the Winter of 1915 from the very first pages, we can’t help but feel as if we have known the families their entire lives. Their suffering in the war as the British invade Iraq is as heart-breaking as the language is easy to read; there were parts where I could barely continue for fear of what was going to come next, and sometimes, knowing exactly what was going to happen.
The book shows the fallout that the war had on a handful of Baghdadi individuals, the violence that ensued, ending in death for some and the promise of a new life for others. I was immersed in their pain, could not stop reading, did not want to stop reading.
The book shows the fallout that the war had on a handful of Baghdadi individuals, the violence that ensued, ending in death for some and the promise of a new life for others. I was immersed in their pain, could not stop reading, did not want to stop reading.
May 25, 2019
I never read historical fiction from this time but loved this book. The characters were great. The story one i had little knowledge or experience with. If you haven’t read much around WWI than this is a must.
January 24, 2025
Je finis un livre pour la première fois depuis un petit moment, et franchement, ça valait le coup !
C’est un très beau roman qui parle de guerre, de morts, de vivants face à la guerre et face à la mort, de nation, de colonisation et de plein d’autres choses encore. C’est la première fois que je lis sur cette épisode là de l’histoire en particulier et je trouve que ce roman est une très belle et puissante introduction à l’histoire des nationalismes Arabes.
C’est un très beau roman qui parle de guerre, de morts, de vivants face à la guerre et face à la mort, de nation, de colonisation et de plein d’autres choses encore. C’est la première fois que je lis sur cette épisode là de l’histoire en particulier et je trouve que ce roman est une très belle et puissante introduction à l’histoire des nationalismes Arabes.
January 27, 2019
"History is written by victors" - except not this time. Offering what feels like an exclusive glimpse into the life of the colonised by the colonised in First World War Baghdad, Izzidien's narrative on joint resistance and defeat is nuanced, heart-wrenching and above all beautiful.
March 10, 2019
It is always beautiful to read a novel that depicts a period of history that is seldom spoken about. A fictitious historically accurate piece of literature that dates back to the 1915 when World War 1 raked havoc not only on British Soil but in the Middle East too.
A book that shows friendship, love and hardship grow form two unlikely souls and a narrative that speaks of belonging, identity and resistance.
Not many books have been written with such fluidity and power. This book was gut punching incredible.
5 amazing stars and all the praise I could give it.
A book that shows friendship, love and hardship grow form two unlikely souls and a narrative that speaks of belonging, identity and resistance.
Not many books have been written with such fluidity and power. This book was gut punching incredible.
5 amazing stars and all the praise I could give it.
December 11, 2024
In watermelon boys I found a story never told, of a past life, lived by my grandparents that I never got to converse with. Ruqaya brought to life characters from a lost past in a novel that reads like a action movie, one of a Welsh soldier and an Iraqi family.
In watermelon boys you find fathers who lose their sons, of sons who lose their fathers and mothers. Of a matriach who's not recongised for her struggle and strength, despite that she perserveres and tries to pull her family together. In watermelon boys you find thriving friendships over culture and tradition. And you find the usual coloniser with his bombs, denigrating language and inhumane acts.
In watermelon boys, you get to meet Ahmad, a protagonist riddled with guilt and shame over his actions. Who loses more of himself everyday because of this blood stained hands. And simultaneously we meet Carwyn who's struggles mirror Ahmad's but for different reasons. As the story progresses Ahmad and his sons intersect with Carwyn multiple times culminating in a twist ending which becomes Carwyn's ultimate life lesson. Stand for what is right, regardless of the concequences. But the story isn't only centred around the two soliders. Because in war, there is revolution, there is family and there is love. And when we meet Yusuf and Amira we meet an innocent love that cannot actualise.
Oh, how much I wished I knew more about these characters and to delve deep into their lives pre war. We get a glimpse of Ahmad's wife Dabriya's life before marriage but we are definitely left wanting more. Wanting the same level of detail we got about Carywn, his father, about his life and motivations before becoming a solider.
Ruqaya has however delivered, a compelling story rich with historical facts and a well researched interpretation of real events. Do stories like this need prequels and sequels, they surely do as the consequences of what occured in Iraq in early 1900s, is felt till today.
In watermelon boys you find fathers who lose their sons, of sons who lose their fathers and mothers. Of a matriach who's not recongised for her struggle and strength, despite that she perserveres and tries to pull her family together. In watermelon boys you find thriving friendships over culture and tradition. And you find the usual coloniser with his bombs, denigrating language and inhumane acts.
In watermelon boys, you get to meet Ahmad, a protagonist riddled with guilt and shame over his actions. Who loses more of himself everyday because of this blood stained hands. And simultaneously we meet Carwyn who's struggles mirror Ahmad's but for different reasons. As the story progresses Ahmad and his sons intersect with Carwyn multiple times culminating in a twist ending which becomes Carwyn's ultimate life lesson. Stand for what is right, regardless of the concequences. But the story isn't only centred around the two soliders. Because in war, there is revolution, there is family and there is love. And when we meet Yusuf and Amira we meet an innocent love that cannot actualise.
Oh, how much I wished I knew more about these characters and to delve deep into their lives pre war. We get a glimpse of Ahmad's wife Dabriya's life before marriage but we are definitely left wanting more. Wanting the same level of detail we got about Carywn, his father, about his life and motivations before becoming a solider.
Ruqaya has however delivered, a compelling story rich with historical facts and a well researched interpretation of real events. Do stories like this need prequels and sequels, they surely do as the consequences of what occured in Iraq in early 1900s, is felt till today.
May 13, 2019
This book describes the events leading up to the creation of the Iraqi state through two main characters whose stories are told in alternating sections and gradually intertwine towards the end of the book. The first is a Baghdadi man who attempts to attain freedom and safety for his people by fighting under first the Turks, and then the British, before coming to view the British as traitors. The second is a Welsh boy who reluctantly enlists in the British army despite his anger at their role during the recent miners’ strike in his hometown. Both are portrayed as good people who find themselves compromised by the actions they take while entangled in the colonizer’s army, and as a “budoo” and a “Taffy”, both are seen as uncivilized and treated as less than fully human by the English authorities. The author’s passion for her subject sometimes led to an excess of didactic asides from the protagonists, but I’m still glad I read it. I came away from it feeling informed as well as entertained, and I support the author’s view that the book “reclaims the dominant narrative of the British Occupation of Iraq, which was largely written by the colonizer”, and that this was an important thing to do. The book ends by highlighting its contemporary relevance with a postscript consisting of a rather shocking quote from a 2003 New York Times article:
I might not have given it more than 3 stars if judging it purely as a work of fiction – for me, the dramatic story might have had more impact with a little less editorialising – but I felt it deserved at least 4 stars for significantly adding to my education on this subject in an accessible way while giving an interesting flavour of what life at the time might have been like.
''You have to understand the Arab mind,'' Capt. Todd Brown, a company commander with the Fourth Infantry Division, said as he stood outside the gates of Abu Hishma. ''The only thing they understand is force -- force, pride and saving face.''
I might not have given it more than 3 stars if judging it purely as a work of fiction – for me, the dramatic story might have had more impact with a little less editorialising – but I felt it deserved at least 4 stars for significantly adding to my education on this subject in an accessible way while giving an interesting flavour of what life at the time might have been like.
November 25, 2019
This novel explores the British involvement in Iraq during WWI through the experiences of Ahmad, an Iraqi family man, later soldier and Carwyn, a reluctant Welsh soldier in the British army.
In terms of the historical period, I found that I was reading about a part of British colonisation that I had never known or heard about (having been more exposed to Indian and African narratives). Izzidien proposes a provocative depiction of historical events, which I doubt would be typically read in a British classroom. Izzidien is not afraid to take the British to account in this piece and it is rather refreshing to say the least. This critical exploration makes this novel, in my opinion, a valuable and arguably necessary read for anyone who does not know about British involvement in the region as early as WWI.
Izzidien chooses an effective writing style for the story she has crafted. She skilfully recounts several tender scenes and also succeeds in creating tension and expressing passion, thus taking the reader through an emotional journey as well as a historical one. She creates a range of sympathetic and unsympathetic characters, and her female characters are particularly well constructed are they are neither cliches nor cringingly naive.
Overall, I found the novel to be both historically informative and emotionally nuanced. I enjoyed reading Izzidien's writing and felt it was a brave piece of work. My biggest criticism would be that I would have liked to read even more about some of the other characters and sub-plots but also recognise that it would have been beyond the scope for a first novel. Four stars because while it was a wonderful piece of writing, I wasn't fully satiated and definitely wanted more.
For a longer review (no spoilers) visit my blog on: https://nafisasiddique.blogspot.com/2...
In terms of the historical period, I found that I was reading about a part of British colonisation that I had never known or heard about (having been more exposed to Indian and African narratives). Izzidien proposes a provocative depiction of historical events, which I doubt would be typically read in a British classroom. Izzidien is not afraid to take the British to account in this piece and it is rather refreshing to say the least. This critical exploration makes this novel, in my opinion, a valuable and arguably necessary read for anyone who does not know about British involvement in the region as early as WWI.
Izzidien chooses an effective writing style for the story she has crafted. She skilfully recounts several tender scenes and also succeeds in creating tension and expressing passion, thus taking the reader through an emotional journey as well as a historical one. She creates a range of sympathetic and unsympathetic characters, and her female characters are particularly well constructed are they are neither cliches nor cringingly naive.
Overall, I found the novel to be both historically informative and emotionally nuanced. I enjoyed reading Izzidien's writing and felt it was a brave piece of work. My biggest criticism would be that I would have liked to read even more about some of the other characters and sub-plots but also recognise that it would have been beyond the scope for a first novel. Four stars because while it was a wonderful piece of writing, I wasn't fully satiated and definitely wanted more.
For a longer review (no spoilers) visit my blog on: https://nafisasiddique.blogspot.com/2...
July 27, 2023
In the Author’s Note at the end of Watermelon Izzidien disclosed that his inspiration for the names of Ahmad and other Iraqi characters derived from his paternal grandfather and other members of that side of his family. The character of Carwyn arose out of diary of a Welsh soldier his father had found, his English maternal grandfather who had served in WWI, and his own years growing up in Wales. He merits praise for having used this information to develop an engaging narrative.
For example, the impact of how combat affects one’s values and sense of self was carefully and at times poignantly depicted. The effect this had on Ahmad’s relationships with his spouse, children, and friends was equally skillfully portrayed. Likewise for how Carwyn tried to reconcile his involvement with the British Army which violated many of the basic values which his father and his Welsh heritage had instilled in him.
The author also succeeded in his efforts to teach readers about Iraqi life, customers, and family relations. The interaction between the various elements of Iraq society in their struggles to deal with the oppressive colonialism of first the Turks and then the British was informative for someone like me who is admittedly unfamiliar with these aspects of the country’s history.
There are two modest flaws with this novel. First, Izzidien utilized a lot of Arabic vocabulary for the food, clothing, and other aspects of their lives. While these enhanced the authenticity of the book, checking thm out on the internet got to be bothersome as the book wore on. It would have been better had he provided translation for these terms. Second, in his efforts to depict the impact which war has on civilian family members some of the events towards the end seemed contrived.
Although Watermelon concluded at a logical point in the narrative, there is much that remained unresolved. It would be interesting if the author wrote a sequel. In the meantime, this is an engaging and impressive debut novel. I shall look forward to his next book.
For example, the impact of how combat affects one’s values and sense of self was carefully and at times poignantly depicted. The effect this had on Ahmad’s relationships with his spouse, children, and friends was equally skillfully portrayed. Likewise for how Carwyn tried to reconcile his involvement with the British Army which violated many of the basic values which his father and his Welsh heritage had instilled in him.
The author also succeeded in his efforts to teach readers about Iraqi life, customers, and family relations. The interaction between the various elements of Iraq society in their struggles to deal with the oppressive colonialism of first the Turks and then the British was informative for someone like me who is admittedly unfamiliar with these aspects of the country’s history.
There are two modest flaws with this novel. First, Izzidien utilized a lot of Arabic vocabulary for the food, clothing, and other aspects of their lives. While these enhanced the authenticity of the book, checking thm out on the internet got to be bothersome as the book wore on. It would have been better had he provided translation for these terms. Second, in his efforts to depict the impact which war has on civilian family members some of the events towards the end seemed contrived.
Although Watermelon concluded at a logical point in the narrative, there is much that remained unresolved. It would be interesting if the author wrote a sequel. In the meantime, this is an engaging and impressive debut novel. I shall look forward to his next book.
January 8, 2023
I loved this book so much for a number of reasons, I felt as though it gave a voice to the Iraqi people who fought for their freedom even under an unfair colonial rule, who took pleasure in murdering innocent civilians because they felt entitled for some odd reason, white supremacy at its finest, but also how deeply and we’ll thought out each character was and the time line of the event since it was a very packed story. The author, Ruqaya Izzidien, allowed for so much to be written while allowing it to be engaging and heart wrenching at the same time. You fall in love with the characters aswell as feeling their hatred toward their colonizers and their pain and sadness.
Being a Palestinian American, this book brought me to tears multiple times, 1) by learning more about the Iraqi revolution and what they went through and 2) how the rebellion of an Arab nation is so similar to the continuous fight against colonial, oppressors in Palestine. How the women and children are fighting with no weapons and just have their bodies and blood to offer for their fight and freedom, drive by love and connection to their families and community that they never give up until their last breath.
Overall, I think everyone should read this book if they enjoy historical fiction, well developed characters and storyline, and learning more about a time and places we don’t often hear stories about from the colonized perspective.
Being a Palestinian American, this book brought me to tears multiple times, 1) by learning more about the Iraqi revolution and what they went through and 2) how the rebellion of an Arab nation is so similar to the continuous fight against colonial, oppressors in Palestine. How the women and children are fighting with no weapons and just have their bodies and blood to offer for their fight and freedom, drive by love and connection to their families and community that they never give up until their last breath.
Overall, I think everyone should read this book if they enjoy historical fiction, well developed characters and storyline, and learning more about a time and places we don’t often hear stories about from the colonized perspective.
August 7, 2020
i definitely see what this book was attempting to do though i don’t think it managed to achieve that successfully. for example the book is filled with allusions to iraq’s diversity and the importance of unity between all its sects, yet almost all calls for liberation and self-determination in the book call for /arab/ liberation.
it didn’t feel like the book explored the full potential of carwyn’s position from a land conquered by the english actively complicit in the british colonisation of iraq. attempts are made, but the book never delves deep enough into that. the book generally only scratches the surface of things-there’s simply too much telling, too much sweeping statements in the author’s voice and not enough showing.
also, the ending???
abrupt and anticlimactic despite being extremely tragic. pretty sure i don’t like that.
the fact that asheya’s horrible, horrible murder ended up being the set up for a contrived plot line that resolves in ahmad feeling better about himself and less guilty, is, uh, bad in my books.
in spite of all that, i still enjoyed the book? the potential is there, especially in the writing and some of the characters-it all just needed to be fleshed out more.
it didn’t feel like the book explored the full potential of carwyn’s position from a land conquered by the english actively complicit in the british colonisation of iraq. attempts are made, but the book never delves deep enough into that. the book generally only scratches the surface of things-there’s simply too much telling, too much sweeping statements in the author’s voice and not enough showing.
also, the ending???
abrupt and anticlimactic despite being extremely tragic. pretty sure i don’t like that.
the fact that asheya’s horrible, horrible murder ended up being the set up for a contrived plot line that resolves in ahmad feeling better about himself and less guilty, is, uh, bad in my books.
in spite of all that, i still enjoyed the book? the potential is there, especially in the writing and some of the characters-it all just needed to be fleshed out more.
August 15, 2022
The Watermelon Boy tells the saga of an Iraqi family around the time of WW1. At the start of the novel Iraq had been controlled by the Ottoman Turks for over 700 years. After service in the Ottoman army, family father Ahmed comes back injured, with memory loss. After a short time he joins Arab Revolt with the British to fight the Ottomans. The British promised the Arabs independence only to colonize them once the Ottomans were defeated. Disappointed and disillusioned by the British, Ahmed and his sons and wife join the resistance against British rule.
Most western writers focus on the point of view of the British or Europeans.
Middle Easterners and North Africans regard the behaviour of the British as traitorous and dishonest. I was familiar with this before I read this book, but the Watermelon Boys is such a well researched account that it makes these events seem more real.
This book is for everyone who want to learn more about this part of history. It is important to learn about what happened in the past to understand the present.
Most western writers focus on the point of view of the British or Europeans.
Middle Easterners and North Africans regard the behaviour of the British as traitorous and dishonest. I was familiar with this before I read this book, but the Watermelon Boys is such a well researched account that it makes these events seem more real.
This book is for everyone who want to learn more about this part of history. It is important to learn about what happened in the past to understand the present.
Read
February 17, 2020This first novel by an Iraqi-Welsh journalist is an unusual perspective on the Middle Eastern theater of World War I. Rather than taking the usual British viewpoint, this tale shows us what it was like to be a simple Iraqi caught up in the chaos of war. A simple Welshman serving in the British army is thrown in for good measure.
September 17, 2021
A searing narrative about the lasting effects of colonization and occupation on a nation. This book absolutely does what it sets out to do: rewrite the narrative of the effects of WW1 British occupation in what is now called Iraq.
Although I did find the writing to be heavy handed in places, the story was so powerful that it did not matter.
Although I did find the writing to be heavy handed in places, the story was so powerful that it did not matter.
April 9, 2021
Utterly engrossing and richly imagined story of people in what is now Iraq attempting to choose the right course as their Ottoman masters crumbled and British forces moved in with the promise of a better future. Highly recommend.
April 6, 2020
I felt a real attachment to this book, maybe because of the way in which British colonial rule has shaped my history. The writer’s excellence in her story telling nature to really uncover the pain and the struggle that minority groups faced in Iraq. I really enjoyed reading this book, I was sobbing at points, I think it’s one of the best books I have ever read, the two main lessons I learnt from this is 1. People make bad decisions but that doesn’t mean they are bad people. And 2. War is the same on both sides, there is always the good and the bad. Honestly I highly recommend this book! For me it was a solid 5 stars
February 9, 2020
I enjoyed it but towards the end the bombastic language became a bit tiring.
May 1, 2021
The review of The Watermelon Boys in the Asian Review of Books was intriguing: a retelling of WW1 from an Iraqi perspective.
The novel begins well but the hectoring about British colonialism becomes wearying after a while, especially in the second half of the book. It's supposed to be a historical novel, not a lecture on anti-colonialism.
First novels are usually about getting something off the author's chest, and this author has no shortage of issues with which to educate the reader.
Set mostly in Iraq but also briefly in Wales, the novel tells the story of how two young men came to be involved in the the First World War in Iraq. Ahmad joins the British Army (after first fighting on the other side for the Ottomans) because he believes British promises to liberate Baghdad from the Turkish colonisers. Carwyn, who hates the British since his father died after a truncheon blow to the head during a miner's strike in Wales, is bullied into enlisting by his stepfather. Both of them, like most men in WW1, would rather not be killing anybody.
BEWARE: SPOILERS
However, while the main focus in on educating her readers about the evils of colonialism on an harmonious Arabic society, there's also the oppression of women in a patriarchal society to deal with. A #MeToo moment segues into a brutal murder. There's also the gendered roles in society exemplified by Dabriya, Ahmad's wife, who is beautiful, stoic and resilient. She is firmly ensconced in the domestic realm and in Ahmad's nostalgic memories (which are occasionally coyly lustful). But when her son is at risk she leaps onto horse despite the disapproval of men and gallops off to warn him. A pretty good effort if she'd never sat on a horse before, eh?
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/05/01/t...
The novel begins well but the hectoring about British colonialism becomes wearying after a while, especially in the second half of the book. It's supposed to be a historical novel, not a lecture on anti-colonialism.
First novels are usually about getting something off the author's chest, and this author has no shortage of issues with which to educate the reader.
Set mostly in Iraq but also briefly in Wales, the novel tells the story of how two young men came to be involved in the the First World War in Iraq. Ahmad joins the British Army (after first fighting on the other side for the Ottomans) because he believes British promises to liberate Baghdad from the Turkish colonisers. Carwyn, who hates the British since his father died after a truncheon blow to the head during a miner's strike in Wales, is bullied into enlisting by his stepfather. Both of them, like most men in WW1, would rather not be killing anybody.
BEWARE: SPOILERS
However, while the main focus in on educating her readers about the evils of colonialism on an harmonious Arabic society, there's also the oppression of women in a patriarchal society to deal with. A #MeToo moment segues into a brutal murder. There's also the gendered roles in society exemplified by Dabriya, Ahmad's wife, who is beautiful, stoic and resilient. She is firmly ensconced in the domestic realm and in Ahmad's nostalgic memories (which are occasionally coyly lustful). But when her son is at risk she leaps onto horse despite the disapproval of men and gallops off to warn him. A pretty good effort if she'd never sat on a horse before, eh?
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/05/01/t...
March 30, 2019
I thought this was a modest attempt to reinscribe a personal, Iraqi perspective(s) narrative into the master narrative of the British Occupation. The author has done a good job on basing the fiction on historical documents, political statements and the diary of a Welsh soldier (inspiring Carwyn’s character).
This book is primarily based in Baghdad, so its portrayal of the Occupation is heavily through a Baghdadi lens. In that way, I wouldn’t take this book to be re-writing a narrative that is representative of the entire country. The book does a good job of mentioning the depth of deep Muslim-Jewish-Christian relations. But then the tireless rhetoric of a free Iraq for free Arabs played into a definitive Arab nationalism.
There’s a range of characters and it made for a diverse read. The story-line was sufficient enough to keep the interest going.
The main thing is that the book felt SO stretched-out. There was too much lamenting, for my liking, and too many breaks where the character just kept philosophising about the despair of it all. The ending was somehow both tragic and anti-climactic.
There was a stupendous excess of the author’s voice which overrode the characters’ voices (often when denouncing the British and the fantastical narrative of romance between Yusuf and Amira). If the whole point of fiction is to immerse yourself in the characters, then it didn’t work too well in this novel.
So, her otherwise nice writing could have been much improved with sharper editing.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate how Izzidien sketches out the beautiful humanity of the people and of the country. Their daily lives, relationships, emotions, struggles within the wider historical context of revolt and war made for a pleasant read.
This book is primarily based in Baghdad, so its portrayal of the Occupation is heavily through a Baghdadi lens. In that way, I wouldn’t take this book to be re-writing a narrative that is representative of the entire country. The book does a good job of mentioning the depth of deep Muslim-Jewish-Christian relations. But then the tireless rhetoric of a free Iraq for free Arabs played into a definitive Arab nationalism.
There’s a range of characters and it made for a diverse read. The story-line was sufficient enough to keep the interest going.
The main thing is that the book felt SO stretched-out. There was too much lamenting, for my liking, and too many breaks where the character just kept philosophising about the despair of it all. The ending was somehow both tragic and anti-climactic.
There was a stupendous excess of the author’s voice which overrode the characters’ voices (often when denouncing the British and the fantastical narrative of romance between Yusuf and Amira). If the whole point of fiction is to immerse yourself in the characters, then it didn’t work too well in this novel.
So, her otherwise nice writing could have been much improved with sharper editing.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate how Izzidien sketches out the beautiful humanity of the people and of the country. Their daily lives, relationships, emotions, struggles within the wider historical context of revolt and war made for a pleasant read.
March 22, 2025
this was so special
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews