Antoon tackles the difficult topic of sectarianism in Iraq.

Set in Baghdad in 2010, Ave Maria is 24 hours in Baghdad, in the lives of Yusef and Maha. Yusef is an old man who owns a large old house in Baghdad. With no family left, he hosts a young couple in the house’s second floor, Maha, and her husband Lu’ay.

Ave Maria was on the shortlist of the International Prize of Arabic Fiction (or Arab Booker), 2013.

The Spanish rights to this book have been acquired by Turner, Spain (2014).

New to the list! Fall 2014.