The Corpse Washer

In Sinan Antoon's evocative novel, young Jawad, from a family of corpse washers in Baghdad, defies tradition to pursue a career as a sculptor, aiming to celebrate life amidst the looming shadow of death. As political turmoil, economic sanctions, and sectarian violence ravage Iraq, Jawad's aspirations are interrupted, leading him back to his family's somber work. Through the poignant struggles of one family, Antoon explores the intertwining of life and death in a country steeped in conflict, creating a haunting reflection of Iraq's turbulent history.