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|isbn=978- 1479352043
|website=http://www.justinhuggler.com
|cover=1780722001
|aznuk=1780722001
Warning Two: the first chapter has a touch of Spielberg's ''Private Ryan'' about it as we're violently bombarded. Please don't be put off. It does its job, graphically conveying the brutality and local conditions perfectly, dropping us in the deep end without preamble. If you ''are'' a bit squeamish, be assured it eases considerably after this. So read this first chapter in daylight, with a drink of water and deep breaths because you will miss so much if you skip it. The gentle moments between Mahmoud and his beloved Saara or the revelations of life in the press pack as Zoe discovers that the story is to be pursued at all costs won't mean as much to you without these brief moments of horrific context. (There are also moments of personal passion throughout the novel, but Mr H knows when to close a bedroom door so no concern required.)
After our imaginations have been guided around dusty, parched streets in such diverse company and crowds that can erupt with hardly any notice and even less provocation, we begin to realise that solution is more complex than neutral caretakers who inadvertently escalate rather than ameliorate. Let's hope we aren't the only ones who notice.
If this appeals and you'd like to read more about a correspndentcorrespondent's life at the sharp end, then try [[War Stories by Jeremy Bowen]]. If, on the other hand, you'd prefer another fictionalised account of Iraq by someone who was there, we just as heartily recommend [[The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers]]. We also have a review of [[The Return Home by Justin Huggler]].
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