Kurdish author Jabar Jamal Gharib has published an English edition of his novel The Fall of the Heavens, making the work available worldwide through Amazon.
The novel already has strong recognition in Kurdish and Arabic literary circles. The English version now aims to introduce Kurdish storytelling to a wider international audience. Agora Vision completed the translation in April 2026. The company specializes in Kurdish literary translation and digital publishing.
Gharib said the English release represents an important step for Kurdish literature. He described the novel as a major work that reflects Kurdish social and historical experiences. Additionally, he said the book helps international readers understand a society shaped by conflict and political struggle.
He added that he hopes the English edition will encourage more Kurdish writers to publish globally and reach new audiences.
The novel faced obstacles in regional publishing. The author said authorities reviewed its Persian translation four times but rejected it each time. He linked the rejections to the novel’s strong political and social themes.
Despite these challenges, the book succeeded in other markets. Publishers released an Arabic edition in London, which expanded its readership across the Arab world and the Kurdish diaspora.
The novel also received major awards. It won the Golden Pen of Mamosta Hejar in Sina in May 2025 after competing with 913 books. It also received the Golden Prize at the 20th Galawezh Festival, which strengthened its reputation in Kurdish literature.
The Fall of the Heavens takes place during the Iran–Iraq War. It follows five interconnected characters who experience war, dictatorship under Saddam Hussein, forbidden love, and religious extremism.
The author uses a realistic and symbolic style. He presents violence and emotional struggle in a direct way. The novel also reflects Kurdish cultural traditions and social realities.
Born in 1961 in Qaladze, Gharib studied literature at Baghdad University. He began writing in the 1980s and later published novels, essays, and children’s books. He remains a well-known figure in Kurdish intellectual and literary circles.
The English publication marks a new stage in his career. It also increases the global visibility of contemporary Kurdish fiction and expands access to Kurdish narratives for international readers.
