Saddam Hussein novel hits stores in Japan

By Takanori Isshiki
Fri May 19, 10:28 AM ET

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese readers looking for a slightly different tale can now curl up with "Get Out of Here, Curse You" -- a novel by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The book, believed to have been written on the eve of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and titled "Devil's Dance" in its Japanese translation, hit stores around the nation Friday.

Jordan banned the book on the grounds it could damage ties with Iraq, but pirated copies of the tale of an Arab tribesman who defeats foreign invaders became a bestseller in Amman.

The original manuscript was smuggled out of Iraq by one of Saddam Hussein's daughters, Raghad, and a copy given to Japanese journalist and translator Itsuko Hirata.

"The novel is dated to the times of ancient tribal society but the tribal warfare depicted in the novel is strikingly similar to what happened and is happening in the Iraqi war -- totally," Hirata told Reuters before the book's release.

"He (Saddam) knew he was heading into a war he couldn't win, so I think with this book he was trying to make his position clear and send a message to the Iraqi people."

Among the chapters are those titled "The Foreigner Who Sold the Tribes," "Retaliatory Tactics" and "The Burning of the Twin Towers," although Hirata said this did not specifically refer to the World Trade Center buildings attacked on September 11, 2001.

Saddam, now on trial for war crimes, was credited with writing several other novels but Iraqi writers and intellectuals said after his overthrow the books were written by a committee.

Hirata believes the current novel, issued in a cover patterned with violets, was written by Saddam and has a melodic clarity to it that suggests it could be adapted to the stage.

"I really think this book should be made into a musical," she said. "And once this is done, it should play in the heart of his enemy's country, on Broadway."

Koichi Chikaraishi, editor-in-chief at publisher Tokuma Shoten, said they decided to issue the book because it was a historical curiosity.

"People here don't think Saddam is totally bad, as they do in places like America, so there are people who will be interested in hearing his side of the story," he said, adding that he wasn't sure how it would sell.

The book faces formidable competition.

The translation of the latest Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," was also released this week.

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