Escape from Baghdad! - A Darkly Comic Thriller Set in Post-Invasion Iraq
Escape from Baghdad! delivers a satirical take on the chaos of post-Saddam Iraq through the misadventures of two black-marketeers, Dagr and Kinza, who find themselves in possession of a valuable prisoner: Captain Hamid, the former star torturer of Saddam's collapsed Ba'athist regime. Hamid's promise of untold riches in Mosul sets off a desperate escape attempt through a Baghdad teeming with danger and absurdity.
Enlisting Private Hoffman, a U.S. Marine and their partner in illicit activities, the unlikely trio attempts to navigate a city crawling with traps and alive with 5000 years of history. What begins as a straightforward smuggling operation spirals into something far more complex as they become entangled in a serial killer investigation and the mysteries surrounding an ancient watch that doesn't tell time.
A Story That Gives Voice to the Voiceless
This novel stands apart by centering the perspectives often relegated to "collateral damage" in war narratives. With ribald humor and epic firepower, the odd foursome must outrun religious fanatics, crazed librarians, alchemists, remnants of the Iraqi secret service, and the United States army itself. The stakes escalate from mere survival to uncovering a truth that may hold the secret to eternal life.
Escape from Baghdad! channels the absurdist war satire of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and the dark comedy action of David O'Russell's Three Kings while establishing its own distinct voice. The novel casts an unflinching satiric eye on human violence, finding humor in the darkest corners of war-torn Baghdad.
About Author Saad Z. Hossain
Saad Z. Hossain writes in a niche genre blending fantasy, science fiction, and black comedy with action-adventure elements. His work has appeared in anthologies including What the Ink? and Six Seasons Review. He has contributed numerous articles and short stories to The Daily Star, New Age, and the Dhaka Tribune, the top English daily newspapers in Bangladesh. As a monthly columnist for the Daily Star literary page, Hossain brings a unique perspective to contemporary fiction. He lives in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
This paperback edition from Unnamed Press offers readers a fresh take on war fiction that combines historical depth with contemporary relevance, delivering both entertainment and sharp social commentary on the absurdity of conflict.
