The Postcolonial Iraqi Novel : Themes and Sources of Inspiration

Abstract

This paper examines the themes and sources of inspiration of the Iraqi postcolonial novel, limiting the research to two periods : the years immediately following the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and those after 2014, with a brief survey of the Iraqi novel before these two periods. Through a number of selected texts, the reader will be introduced to the narrative that establishes the postcolonial identity of the Iraqi novel. All these works of fiction are written in Arabic. This study highlights their realistic and melancholic tenor. The devastating impact of the 2003 war, the subsequent ISIS invasion are touched on from different perspectives. These novels analyse the reasons and influences which caused the evolution of Iraqi society. The novels chosen are written by local Iraqi novelists who live in Iraq and are in touch with the reality of everyday life. Varying in their themes, techniques, and dates of publication, they represent the typical features of the modern Iraqi novel.