Watermelon Boys

In 1915, during the First World War, Ahmad leaves his family to join the British-led revolt in Iraq, while Carwyn, a Welsh teenager, is enlisted and sent to the Mesopotamia campaign. Their paths cross, and they are forever changed by the war and the discrimination they face. Ruqaya Izzidien's novel offers a powerful retelling of British intervention in Iraq.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2018
Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press

In the winter of 1915, Iraq was engulfed in the flames of the First World War, a conflict that raged for years and left a lasting impact on the region. Driven by a yearning for independence from Ottoman rule, Ahmad, a young man from the peaceful banks of the Tigris, made the courageous decision to join the British-led revolt. Thousands of miles away, in a small Welsh town, Carwyn, a teenager, found himself reluctantly enlisted in the military. His journey took him through the treacherous terrain of Gallipoli and Egypt, eventually leading him to the Mesopotamia campaign.

It was there that Carwyn's path crossed with Ahmad's, and their lives were forever intertwined. Both men were from different backgrounds, but their experiences of war and the parallel discrimination and betrayal they faced had a profound impact on them.

Ruqaya Izzidien's debut novel, "The Winter of 1915," is a powerful and evocative portrayal of the heartbreak and passion that arise when personal loss and political zeal collide. It offers a poignant retelling of the history of British intervention in Iraq, shedding light on the complex and often tumultuous relationship between the British Empire and the people of the region.

Through the characters of Ahmad and Carwyn, Izzidien explores the complexities of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice in the face of adversity. Ahmad, a young man from a modest background, finds himself caught up in the political turmoil of the time, fighting for a cause he believes in with unwavering determination. Carwyn, on the other hand, is a young man from a small Welsh town who is forced to confront the realities of war and the moral dilemmas it presents.

As the novel unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through the trenches of Mesopotamia, where the men face the harsh realities of war. They witness the destruction of cities, the loss of lives, and the emotional toll it takes on both soldiers and civilians. Through their experiences, Ahmad and Carwyn come to understand the complexities of the conflict and the role that the British Empire played in shaping the course of history.

"The Winter of 1915" is not just a historical novel; it is a deeply personal and emotional story that resonates with readers today. It explores the themes of loss, resilience, and the human cost of war, reminding us of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and justice.

In conclusion, Ruqaya Izzidien's "The Winter of 1915" is a remarkable debut novel that offers a powerful and evocative portrayal of the history of British intervention in Iraq. Through the characters of Ahmad and Carwyn, it explores the complexities of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice in the face of adversity, reminding us of the human cost of war and the importance of understanding our past.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 131 x 205 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789774168802