The Demonic Comedy: Some Detours in the Baghdad of Saddam Hussein

by Paul William Roberts

Book by Roberts, Paul William

Genres: Travel, History

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Paul William Roberts (1950 – May 17, 2019) was a Canadian writer who spent many years in Toronto before moving to the Laurentians in Quebec upon losing his vision.

Born in Wales and educated at Exeter College, Oxford, where he gained a second in English Language and Literature, Roberts moved permanently to Canada in 1980. He lived for several years prior to this in India, where he taught at Bangalore University and studied Sanskrit at the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.

Reviews

[Larry Epp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given to me by a friend, rescued from a thrift store, knowing my family had lived in the area during the first Gulf War. Roberts uses Dante's "Divine Comedy" as a frame for looking at the Middle East -- specifically Saddam's Iraq just before and after the first Gulf War. He is at times hilarious (his ability to mimic accent is pretty good) and at times horrific and scary. He does a good job too of sketching a back story for much of the action. And, in the last half, as I also experienced it, the two persona (public and private) of Iraqi citizens living under Saddam. Does a good job too of detailing the West's (especially American) complicity. Hard to put down.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this about 20 years ago. It impacted me so much that it would eventually inspire me to take up writing myself.

[Taylor Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. His style of writing really connected with me. I love all of his books but this one was the best.

[Pamels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written befor 9/11. Informative and humorous.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!