Illusion and Reality in Ethel Mannin’s Portrayal of Abd al-Karim Qasim of Iraq in <i>The Midnight Street</i>

The prolific British traveler and novelist of Irish descent, Ethel Mannin (1900–1984), was very involved and interested in the Arab region, mostly due to her anti-imperialist, anti-fascist attitude, and activism. A couple of her novels dealt with the Palestinian tragedy of Nakba, as Mannin was invested in documenting the crimes committed against Palestinians when Israel was created in 1948. However, one of her novels, entitled Midnight Street (1969), garnered less attention from critics. In this novel, she portrays the life and death of the former Iraqi leader, Abd al-Karim Qasim. When Mannin met the Iraqi leader in 1962, she became fascinated by his charismatic character. In this novel, she aims at offering a realistic representation of him by showing his flaws and virtues, as well as his weaknesses and strengths. The overarching theme that is tied to the main character is illusion and reality, in which Qasim is shown as self-delusional in terms of his revolutionary goals and ideals without considering the reality on the ground. I argue that in this novel Mannin mixes some fictional details, realistic events, and even some unfounded rumors. She is also represented by the character of Julia Nikolaidis, both of whom express love, respect, and admiration for Qasim, but are also able to understand the different and often contradictory aspects of the Iraqi leader’s character.