WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Zabiba and the King is an allegorical love story between a mighty king (Saddam) and a simple, yet beautiful commoner named Zabiba (the Iraqi people). Zabiba is married to a cruel and unloving husband (the United States) who forces himself upon her against her will. This act of rape is compared to the United States invasion of Iraq. DOES SADDAM HUSSEIN RECEIVE ANY MONEY FOR THIS BOOK? Not a dime. The translation is owned by the editor. WHY TRANSLATE THIS BOOK? The editor, an American businessman, had the book translated into English to satisfy his own curiosity. He also felt it would be interesting and a beneficial tool for the curious, the patriotic, the educator, the historian, etc., as well as for the friends and families of servicemen serving in Iraq. The publisher, a strong supporter of U.S. troops, felt the book was an interesting read. While the allegory is controversial and, at times, unsettling, it gives the reader an opportunity to "play detective" and attempt to decipher any hidden meanings. WHAT IS THE SETTING? The stomping grounds of a young Saddam Hussein near Tikrit, Iraq. WHAT IS THE TIME PERIOD? The era of the story is the mid-600's to early 700's A.D., due to the clue the main character, Zabiba, is a devout follower of Islam, yet the king still worships the idols of his forefathers and is ignorant of some of the fundamental traditions of the Islamic faith. DID SADDAM HUSSEIN REALLY WRITE THE NOVEL? While it is no secret that the release of this book in Arabic was an overnight best seller in Iraq and even became an on-stage musical production in Baghdad, the book promotes the establishment of a quasi-democratic form of government that the editor and others believe would not have been allowed to be published in Iraq unless Saddam were intimately involved in its creation. Many Iraqis firmly believe it was penned by Saddam Hussein.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Saddam Hussein's inner world,
By Alison (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Zabiba and the King (Hardcover)
Saddam Hussein's romantic fable 'Zabiba and the King' is a fascinating and moving work which provides a unique insight into the psyche of the former Iraqi dictator. (Two of Saddam's former interpreters have confirmed that he penned it himself.) The reader witnesses how the intimate friendship between a lonely, unhappy king and an unusually perceptive and spirited peasant girl paves the way for the abolition of a decadent monarchy and the establishment of a popular government. In the wide-ranging dialogues between the protagonists, ego-consciousness and soul-consciousness, man and woman, ruler and people are gradually reconciled. 'Zabiba and the King' appears to be a genuine attempt by Saddam Hussein to resolve some of the contradictions in his own nature and his political philosophy. While CIA analysts focused on the allegorical dimension of the novel, it is open to multiple interpretations like all genuine works of literature. Interestingly, the narrator is retelling an edifying tale which his grandmother once recited to a rapt audience of village youngsters huddled in a draughty mud hut - a reminder of Saddam's humble origins.
23 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aren't we a democracy?,
By Ben "disappointed" (Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Zabiba and the King (Hardcover)
Why does if have to be stressed and re-stressed that the editor and publishers are pro-American? Obviously, they believe in a free market, since this is a thinly veiled attempt to make money. Look at the cover. It's Hussein's post-arrest photo. And the author attribution 'by the author Saddam Hussein' is pointlessly demeaning. Most importantly, why is a political/literary interpretation of the book in the synopsis? Shouldn't I decide for myself? As Americans, we should want the widest possible access to information, with the least amount of subjectivity. I've wanted to read one of Hussein's novels since I first heard about them. But this 'product' makes me skeptical. I think I'll wait. (Oh, and thanks for clarifying Hussein doesn't get any money from the book sales-- don't forget he already got millions of US tax dollars-- when he was a mass murderer, and the US government didn't particularly mind)
3 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Easy Reading/Philosophical Discussions,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Zabiba and the King (Hardcover)
Edited by Robert Lawrence who owns all rights to the book (translation belongs to editor) according to the book's jacket...The allegory(with refers continually about philosophical thought & ideology) ends on Pg 147 with the death of the king* and Zabiba*,with the 3rd country beside Iraq*(Saddam & its people) and the USA being Russia and proceeds on other philosophical "essay"...Editors Notes are many(Pgs IX,X) as well as Pgs 1,2,5,10,16,20,30,31,66,87,122,123,124,127,132,133,134,143,148,154,155,174.
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