50 pages • 1 hour read
Ahmed SaadawiFrankenstein in Baghdad
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In post-war Baghdad, Hadi, a junk dealer, reanimates a corpse made from collected body parts, creating the vengeful "Whatsitsname," which seeks to avenge the deaths of those whose parts it comprises, and causing terror throughout the city as it remains unkillable by normal means. Sensitive topics include violence and body horror.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi is praised for its inventive storytelling and poignant exploration of violence and trauma in war-torn Iraq. Readers appreciate its dark humor, vivid characters, and allegorical depth. However, some find its narrative pacing inconsistent and its themes too grim. Overall, it is a thought-provoking, skillfully crafted novel.
Who Should Read Frankenstein in Baghdad?
A reader who appreciates Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi would likely enjoy dark, thought-provoking novels that blend horror with social commentary. Fans of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will find the blend of supernatural elements with a poignant exploration of war-torn Baghdad compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1040L