A powerful work of cross-genre literary fiction, The American Translator: From San Francisco to Battlefields in Iraq brings together war, mystery, ancient history, and self-discovery in a story that speaks directly to veterans, soldiers, and readers drawn to conflict-driven narratives of survival and identity.
Rather than revisiting a closed chapter of the Gulf War, the novel confronts enduring and escalating cross-cultural tensions—questions of self and other, identity and culture, language and thought, art and reality, duty and survival. These themes resonate across borders and eras, offering readers a deeply human exploration of how individuals navigate meaning amid violence and uncertainty.
Through the journey of David, an American translator, ancient mysteries collide with modern geopolitical realities. His path moves fluidly between San Francisco and the battlefields of Iraq, through the palm groves of the Euphrates and Tigris, along Saudi Arabia’s coastal regions, and into the mythic depths of ancient Mesopotamia. Translation becomes both a lifeline and a limitation, shaping David’s struggle with existence, fate, and belonging.
Blending mystery, war, thriller, military adventure, and literary fiction, the novel appeals to readers of hybrid and cross-genre works, as well as those interested in ancient history and culturally layered storytelling. Lyrical descriptions of landscapes and inner turmoil are balanced with moments of sharp, sardonic humor set against the gravity of global conflict.
The American Translator stands out as a multilayered narrative of survival and self-discovery—one that bridges cultures, histories, and genres. Its international recognition and award nominations underscore its relevance and literary ambition, marking it as a distinctive and thought-provoking contribution to contemporary fiction.
