Just finished a book which is actually a play written for theatre by Bachtyar Ali. Since the author is a Kurdish Novelist originally from Iraq, I had to read the Persian translation of it knowing it has not been translated into English yet (or at least I didn’t find it). The title can be translated literally to “To Hell, The Innocents”.

The book or better said the play was short enough that I finished it over night and it was suggested in an Instagram Reels as a book for those who enjoyed reading “1984” by George Orwell and “Power of the Powerless” by Václav Havel.

Both books were written about challenges of a totalitarian societies and I honestly enjoyed both and recommend it to all. Specially since I am living currently in Iran both books have made a big impact in understanding a lot of things I see happening.

So, with enthusiasm I bought this play I finished it overnight. Though I could understand how the author tried to break the tabu of some religion and political beliefs but I couldn’t give it a score close to those two other books I mentioned earlier.

However, to be fair, it was a good book and many, especially those living in a country with totalitarian rules may relate somehow to the content.

As I had expected the book had brought my energy low knowing and understanding and relating some passages of the book with the community, I am living in but to be honest my energy level was moved greatly by “Power of the Powerless” and then “1984” and of course not to leave other art of George Orwel, “The Animal Farm”. The dialogues in this play were not that emotionally moving and to be honest I could change the ending to a smarter and happy one. Even though I believe the book should remain the same but the entire message could have been more moving and more touching. And even if the author’s goal was to show the dark side of societies ruled by conservative and strict religion and political rules, that may prevent the human journey to its excellence, the play could’ve been written a lot better.

Mostafa: “Oh God, in what situation are we?! None of us can distinguish lie from just!”

Jamileh: “that’s right, yes, that’s correct. We are being punished for the crimes we have not committed and yet we are rewarded for the sins that we truly commit.” (my translation from Persian to English)

Overall, this play was a fun but I was expecting much more from it.