This was an easy read. It spoke about the sanctions and how it affected the country and its people. It also went into a bit of romance. Good book ( )

At first I was unsure of this book. It started with descriptions of various friends and family of the main character and I wondered where the story was going. However, I'm glad I continued as when I finished I felt a sense of satisfaction or possibly quiet pleasure. I mostly enjoyed the descriptions of Iraq when under sanctions as I had not thought of how that affected the lives of ordinary people. I was also horrified to read of the abuses on the Iraqis by the invading forces; that was something I did not know of. It is sad to think of how Iraq has changed from when the characters in the book were young to what it is now. ( )

Omar, his family and friends are all financially well endowed and well educated, but that does not insulate them from the realities of repeated wars in their homeland. Omar narrates the tale of life and love in interesting times, as the Chinese saying goes.
It is good for non-Iraqis to see a different perspective on the wars that changed the country without improving anything for its residents. We focus on those we lost in one way or another, and are unable to see what happened to the Iraqis. Seeing both sides makes for positive learning. No one wins when there is war.
Having read several fiction and nonfiction books centered in the mid east, I was surprised to learn that university education was expected of women as well as men, there was also no mention of arranged marriages or the specific dress codes that have been so publicized ad nauseum.
On a more pleasant note, there is wonderful imagery of Baghdad, as well as many cities in Europe, Turkey, and the UAE.
Don't miss this book. I loved it.
Many thanks to LibraryThing Giveaways for the opportunity to win this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )