In his absorbing memoir, Rohām, an Iranian immigrant to the US, details his time spent as a “terp” (interpreter) with the US military in Afghanistan during 2010 and 2011. Propelled by a sense of purposelessness, Rohām learns Pashto and is posted to Camp Leatherneck. Working with a squad of Marines, Rohām’s sincerity and willingness to volunteer overcome the Americans’ initial suspicions and earn their trust and appreciation while he witnesses horrors and visits regions “synonymous with death.” His popularity with the servicemen causes tension with Ziar, another terp who hates him for his country of origin. Unfortunately, disaster strikes, and Rohām must not only cope with its aftermath but also clear the cloud of suspicion over his name, fueled by Ziar.The unforgiving terrain, studded with mines and IEDs, and ever-present danger is brought to life through Rohām’s language, which transports the reader to the battlefront. Alongside his experiences in Afghanistan, Rohām weaves in scenes from his childhood spent in Iran, along with portraits of his strong mother, Mini, who immigrated to the US a year before the Islamic Revolution. Insights into the history and culture of the Afghan people pepper the narrative, while the scenecraft is compelling. The encounter with Hila, recklessly brave in her hope to better her life, haunts the reader, as does the portrait of Taymor Nuristani, a major in mourning.
Rohām’s pained, precise narration illuminates the utterly chaotic and brutal nature of war, the bravery and large-heartedness of the Marines, the helplessness of much of the local populace, and the relentlessness and ingenuity of the Taliban war machine. The account stirs admiration for the bravery of the men and women of the military who have put their lives on the line, ready to obey the commands of their political bosses, whose justification for the long, drawn-out war sounds hollow when weighed against the sacrifices of the personnel. An engrossing read.
Takeaway: A translator’s urgent account of life with Marines in war torn Afghanistan.
Comparable Titles: Sebastian Junger’s War, Nathaniel Fick’s One Bullet Away.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
