The Smile of the Dispossessed (2018)

[Simon]

   

"The Smile of the Dispossessed" is a compelling love story and a political thriller set in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia and Indonesia. The novel tells the story of Fadhi and Adam who flee Baghdad in the final days of the Saddam Hussein regime when they are 'outed' as being gay and accused of being enemies of the state. Despite having been lovers for many years, under the pressures of being refugees, they separate and go their own ways, both men hoping to find freedom in a country that will accept them for who they are. The novel explores the difficult lives for gay men in the Middle East within the context of Islam, shifting ideological and political allegiances and what it means to be a refugee and dispossessed of one's dignity, home, and security. The novel tells a riveting story with each chapter ending in a 'cliff hanger' as Fadhi and Adam search for each other amongst the madness of the times and places they find themselves in. "The Smile of the Dispossessed" demonstrates the enduring requirement to maintain faith in humanity and the power of love. The author was born in Wellington, New Zealand to a Lebanese - New Zealand family. He wrote the highly acclaimed young adults' novel "The Extraordinary Adventures of Kipkip and Wendi" (Heinemann Australia, 1998) and many educational texts. "Sucking Feijoas" was his first adult novel (Tandem Press, New Zealand, 1996; Gay Men's Press, UK, 1998) and tells the intertwined stories of gay men in New Zealand, Mexico and Lebanon. The author worked for the United Nations for many years and has lived in the Middle East, Latin America, Melanesia and South East Asia.