The novel, written originally in Arabic, has a not-uncommon lyrical style and some use of magic realism. The English translation has maintained these aspects of the original superbly. Most readers would be delighted to read this novel about Charlottes adventures in the Iraqi wonderland and gain insight into that regions history. Historical Novels Review
Original, exceptional, eloquently crafted, inherently fascinating and an entertaining read from start to finish, The River Knows My Name is [ a] rich and immersive novel with which author Mortada Gzar (ably translated into English by Luke Leafgren) explores the power of belief, the drive for escape, and the exhilaration of self-discovery. Midwest Book Review
Gzar presents an unforgettable girl, a kind of stranger in a strange land, who is gifted with abundant imagination, depth of feeling, and a fearlessness we all might envyThis is a novel in which emotional delicacy and comic absurdity meld seamlessly. Sun Yung Shin, poet and author of The Wet Hex
A sweeping, impassioned work of delirium and history that is also a stunning evocation ofand homage tothe natural world of the Iraqi marshes. Yasmeen Hanoosh, literary translator, author, and critic
