Qatar National Library Discusses "The Baghdad Clock" Novel By Iraqi Author Shahad Al Raw

Doha, July 12 (QNA) - Qatar National Library held a panel discussion on Wednesday to discuss The Baghdad Clock novel by the Iraqi author Shahad Al Rawi within the fourth community read session held by the library to engage its visitors in inspired discussions. Launched by Qatar National Library, the community read initiative aims to promote love of reading among all age groups as the library undertakes an effective role to pay tribute to literature and culture through hosting influential authors and holding discussion events for audience. The 4th edition of the session underscored the vital role novels and literature can perform in highlighting historical events, along with connecting readers with a wide range of cultures and perspectives. The session demonstrated that The Baghdad Clock novel features its suspenseful style and addresses the details of the last decade of the 20th century in Baghdad as the story tracks the experiences of the novelist and her family during their search for a bunker during the American airstrikes on Baghdad. Al Rawi skillfully weaves elements of magical realism and compassionately depicts the feelings of displacement and worry about the future she and her neighbors had felt. The novel received special commendation from critics and was shortlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction known as "Arabic Booker Prize". For her part, Information Service Librarian at Qatar National Library Latifa Al Amri said the library was honored and glad to host the author Shahad Al Rawi whose novel features an outstanding narrative plot, pointing out that such events perform a vital role in nurturing the culture of novel literature for the library's readers, as the library offers an atmosphere that supports conversation, and simultaneously welcomes exchange of perspectives which enrich the feelings of belonging and communication among the community individuals. (QNA)