The style of my book must be in small pieces, as my life has been in pieces. (Jalal Barzanji)
From 1986 to 1988 poet and journalist Jalal Barzanji endured imprisonment and torture under Saddam Hussein's regime because of his literary and journalistic achievements-writing that openly explores themes of peace, democracy, and freedom. It was not until 1998, when he and his family took refuge in Canada, that he was able to consider speaking out fully on these topics. Still, due to economic necessity, Barzanji's dream of writing had to wait until he was named Edmonton's first Writer-in-Exile in 2007. This literary memoir is the project Barzanji worked on while Writer-in-Exile, and it is the first translation of his work from Kurdish into English. Foreword by John Ralston Saul. An indomitable passion for the freedom to write fuels Kurdish refugee Jalal Barzanji's unforgettable journey. Professor of English Dr. Salih received his doctoral degree in English from Southern Illinois University in 1989 where he focused on Modern British Literature with a dissertation titled Bernard Shaw in America. His also has a concentration in Literary Criticism and Composition. His Masters of Arts in English is also from Southern Illinois University and his Bachelors of Arts Degree is from the University of Bagdad. In his far too lightweight blue pyjamas, Jalal Barzanji was ripped out of his family and shoved into a nightmare underworld of beatings and raw prisons. Three times over the years since then he has had to rebuild his life.. The Man in Blue Pyjamas is a generous creative act, for which I thank him. -John Ralston Saul, President of PEN International From 1986-1989, Jalal Barzanji endured imprisonment and torture in an Iraqi prison because of his literary and journalistic activity. It was not until 1998, when he and his family took refuge in Canada, that he was able to consider speaking out fully on issues of peace, justice, and freedom. Ever an acute observer, Barzanji offers readers detailed portraits of life in the ancient Kurdish city of Hawler; in prison, he grounds readers with his ability to find moments of compassion and humanity amidst the relentless assault of Saddam Hussein's regime. In 2007, Barzanji was appointed as Edmonton's first PEN Canada Writer-in-Exile. This poignant literary memoir is the product of that residency. The Man in Blue Pyjamas is his first work in English. Jalal Barzanji is a highly respected Kurdish poet and journalist. Since 1970 he has published seven books of poetry and numerous critical columns. After his three-year imprisonment by Saddam Hussein's regime in the late 1980s and further political repression into the 1990s, Barzanji and his family fled to Turkey. They remained there for eleven months, eventually immigrating to Canada. 34 B&W photographs, translator's preface, foreword, map #4 on the "Edmonton Journal" Best Seller list for the week of October 02, 2011. #5 on the "Edmonton Journal" Best Seller list for the week ending November 20, 2011. "The author was named the City's first PEN Writer-In-Exile when he arrived in Edmonton because his memoir arises above the level of personal history to a saga of Kurdish history under Saddam Hussein's tyranny." Anne Burke, The Prairie Journal "When the author became convinced that his family and he had no future in Iraq, he decided to flee to 'freedom', regardless of difficulties involved. He writes vividly about the human smuggling industry in Turkey, Greece, and many other European countries, fed by Afghans, Iraqis, Pakistanis, and many other people from all over the world. His valiant efforts started in 1988 and ended in 1999 when he managed to obtain an immigration visa for Canada through the UN refugee programme.... It is a heart breaking, well-documented and well-written story that compels the reader to continue reading..., turning page after page." Hrayr Berberoglu, Kurdish Globe, June 4, 2012 [Full article at bit.ly/NAJqzz] "Peter Midgley's edit of J
