Saddam’s new career in Japan

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein may be facing trial in his homeland for his brutal regime which killed scores of civilians. He faces the death penalty if found guilty of the war crimes.

However in Japan he is enjoying a totally different kind of fame. His novel – original titled Get Out of Here, Curse You – has been translated and released in Japan on Friday as Devil’s Dance.

Is this going to be his lasting legacy to the world then? One that will be remembered for his writing flair and not his killing touch? I don’t think so. Neither is he going to be in Japan for book signing functions.

The book is believed to have been written by the ex-dictator just as his country was being invaded by the US (and its allies) in 2003. Interestingly, its plot is about an Arab tribesman who defeats foreign invaders.

Apparently Saddam’s daughter Raghad smuggled the original manuscript out of Iraq and gave a copy to Japanese journalist and translator Itsuko Hirata.

Hirata says that Saddam has a message for his people in the book, adding that:

“…the tribal warfare depicted in the novel is strikingly similar to what happened and is happening in the Iraqi war – totally… 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."

So what are the chances of big Hollywood producers queuing up to buy the rights of the book? I am sure a bearded Clooney will fit the heroic role perfectly.