Meet the Author of the novel Thesiger’s Mashhuf – Depicting Unique Culture and Traditions

First fiction to delves into world’s last virgin wetland believed to be Garden of Eden

Ammar Al Thuwaini’s debut English novel, Thesiger’s Mashuf, was recently released in paperback by the London-based L R Price Publications. The fiction, mainly set in the 6000-mile marshlands believed to be the Garden of Eden and which the Iraqi’s ex-President Saddam Hussein drained in early 1990s, delves into a whole new world of wetlands, enriched with details of their unspoken culture, traditions, history, as well as their breathtaking flora and fauna.

Ammar Al Thuwaini said, “I am proud to have this novel published and released for the English readers. I titled it following the name of late British Wilfred Thesiger, author of Marsh Arabs, who lived amongst the Ma’dan for almost eight years and is still remembered there for his great deeds.

We took the opportunity to meet Ammar to know more about him and his latest novel. Hope you enjoy the read.

Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Ammar Al Thuwaini, an Iraqi writer and translator resident to the UAE. I am 55 years old, married with three children and my main job, in addition to writing, is a marketing communications consultant. I have published four novels and a short story collection in addition to several books translated from English into Arabic.

Tell us about your education.
I have a BA in Arts from Al Mustansiriayah University (Baghdad), majoring in translation and English literature. I also have a one year post academic degree in English Linguistic as part of MA requirements, but sadly I could not complete the study for some tough condition at that time.

How did you develop the interest in writing? What was your first ever published book?
I was fascinated by my late father’s books who was much interested in literature, mainly poetry, and history. Besides, my love to the cinema and drama also helped a lot as I often watch them not only to entertain, but rather to analyse the work: the theme, the ups and downs of characters, the language, event development etc. All this motivated me to write fiction and I have lived with this dream until it became a reality. My first published book was in 1995, Battling for Peace by Shimon Peres, which was a translation from English into Arabic and published in Jordan.

What inspired your latest novel ‘Thesiger’s Mashuf‘?
It was particularly inspired by both the British travellers Wilfred Thesiger and Given Young, who lived in the marshes for years, the former in most 1950s and the latter for different years: 1953 and he then he returned to the marshes in 1970s and the last time was in 1984 before Saddam Hussein dried these 10,000 kilometres early 1990s.
When I read Thesiger’s The Marsh Arabs, I have been fascinated by this magical world that has to all intents and purposes vanished in 1990s: the dwellers (the madan), the great number of wiped out villages, the mudhifs with their innovative architecture made of reeds and papyrus, as well as the plants, and animals, some of which were only found in the marshes and became extinct following the drainage catastrophe.
When I read Gavin Young’s Return to the Marshes a few years ago, I was overwhelmed by his love for the marshes and the madan; after his first encounter, he returns to meet his old friends almost twenty years later, distraught to find that this magical world had ceased to exist and all his friends were dead.
Young’s feelings towards the madan inspired me to write this novel. I spent a great deal of time deciding whether Young or Thesiger should be the protagonist, for the latter was the person who introduced Young to the marshes. Thesiger gave great services to the marsh people: he circumcised hundreds of boys, brought them drugs and medicines, bought from his own pocket, helped the needy, and protected the cultivators’ crops from wild boar.

What does the title ‘Thesiger’s Mashhuf ‘ mean?
Thesiger is the British legendary traveller who visited the Arab region and lived amongst the Bedouin and Marsh Arab as his last place to visit. He published some of the books about the Arabia and the marshes including Arabian Sands and The Marsh Arabs. However, readers of my novel will discover another connotation for this proper noun. With regard to the second word in the title, Mashuf, it refers to a particular boat native in the marshes only, and dates back to the Sumerians who invented this boat, Mashuf, as a means to journey throughout the fascinating water paradise.

Which segment is the book targeted for?
Although the book is a historical genre, I can confidently say it is a book for all readers and ages who enjoy reading about other communities living far away from them, in an isolated paradise out of time. The novel marries reality with fiction by creating two worlds inside the work when the protagonist loses his way while alone on the engine-operated boat and runs into a new world.

Why did you decide to publish the novel in English?
Although I have published four books in Arabic and there is one fifth as a manuscript in addition to a short story collection, this is what I have intended from before embarking on writing fiction in Arabic. English helps me reach international readers from around the globe compared to the Arab world, which unfortunately had a limited number. I am planning to write some works in future in English, rather than to base them on my Arabic works although my second novel, Letters from an Isolated Cave, is around 70% different from the original Arabic.

How long did it take to complete the book?
The writing of Thesiger’s Mashuf took more than two years, and for me, it was the most difficult fiction to draft. This is perhaps no surprise; the novel’s main – hidden – character is the marshes.
I needed to read a lot of books in both Arabic and English as well as articles and research papers including historical ones to make sure information is accurate. I also had to be acquainted with the marsh vocabulary which is unique there.

Was it easy to find the publisher for your book?
It is very difficult indeed for several reasons and requires too much patience. First it is a long journey that embraces courting an agent and convincing them to accept your work. An agent often receives thousands of query letters and has to pick up no more than 10 works per annum. Secondly, publishers need fiction that directly concern their audience; I mean the western world such as US, UK, and Canada. Besides, for someone who lives thousand miles away from the real English book industry, who hardly meets agents in book fairs or conference where direct talk can initiate, this makes things harder. However, one should always know how the publishing industry works and that even if your manuscript is rejected by dozens agents, this is because of other factors beyond your story. As I highlighted, my first published novel taught me a lot about the book industry and I am now in a much better position.

Is the book available in different formats or only in print?
As per the contract, it must come out in both ebook and paperback. However, I am following with the publisher for that and should come out in a KDP. Otherwise, I have to self-publish it as ebook is very important for readers around the globe.

How has been the response for so far?
I expected it to be better, given the promises I received from the publisher, LR Price, they will distribute it internationally and engage on a large scale marketing campaign, and publish it as ebook, but not yet. However, while as I know it is my first book, the experience taught me a lot and my next novel that will be published, hopefully, next year, will have a better outcome given the weight of the publisher and the contract items, which are very encouraging.

Are you motivated to write another novel in English in the future?
Yes, writing as you know is a very exciting career and a writer of fiction lives in both world: his real one and the fictious one he creates for his characters. I expect the second novel to come out early next year and this time it will be published in Canada and distributed worldwide.

What are some of your other hobbies?
Football, travelling and watching movies.

Your message for our readers and those interested in writing.
I would say to readers that you are the most enjoyable and enjoyed people, as reading flies you into whole new worlds with new people, stories, and events. So, there is no joy better than reading. As for those interested in writing, my advice is read a lot, and make sure to meticulously think not only of the content, but of everything: ideas, style, choice of words, event development, tone, etc. This helps you create your own writing imprint in future.

Your message for us at CP magazine.
I would like to extend my great respect to you all and hope you enjoy the very nice topics of the magazine. I also wish you have time to read fiction and this work of mine as well as the forthcoming works.