Listen to a sample
Shalash the Iraqi
What to expect
The second US invasion of Iraq began in the spring of 2003. By the autumn of 2005, though the Saddam Hussein regime had reached its bloody end, ordinary Iraqis were seeing little improvement in their daily lives. Their country was "free," but to many it seemed free mainly to become a mire of sectarian violence, corruption, confusion, and fear. In the midst of this turmoil, a hero arose—or, rather, a jester. In a country where electricity was only intermittently available, a series of blog posts began to appear at a soon-to-be-defunct website and took Baghdad by storm. Individual entries were printed out and passed around for months, until the pages were nearly shredded. Where neither computers nor printers were available, the posts were retold aloud, then passed along at second- and third-hand. What could inspire such devotion? Signed "Shalash the Iraqi," the posts proved to be nothing less than portions of a madcap serial novel thumbing its nose at Iraq's new normal.
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Shalash
- Narrator
- Neil Shah
- Duration
- 9 hours 48 minutes
- Release Date
- 13 May 2025
- ISBN
- 9798350863901
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Tantor Media, Inc
- Genre
- Satirical fiction and parodies, Fiction: general and literary
Synopsis
Populated by a cast of imagined con artists, holy fools, drag queens, and partisans—as well as some very factual politicians, priests, and generals—this novel started life as a pseudonymous blog written "live" by "Shalash" during and after the Second Iraq War. Shalash the Iraqi is here presented in its first authorized translation, with the blessing and commentary of "Shalash" himself.The second US invasion of Iraq began in the spring of 2003. By the autumn of 2005, though the Saddam Hussein regime had reached its bloody end, ordinary Iraqis were seeing little improvement in their daily lives. Their country was "free," but to many it seemed free mainly to become a mire of sectarian violence, corruption, confusion, and fear. In the midst of this turmoil, a hero arose—or, rather, a jester. In a country where electricity was only intermittently available, a series of blog posts began to appear at a soon-to-be-defunct website and took Baghdad by storm. Individual entries were printed out and passed around for months, until the pages were nearly shredded. Where neither computers nor printers were available, the posts were retold aloud, then passed along at second- and third-hand. What could inspire such devotion? Signed "Shalash the Iraqi," the posts proved to be nothing less than portions of a madcap serial novel thumbing its nose at Iraq's new normal.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.