Author: Shana Kushner Gadarian, Sara Wallace Goodman and Tomas B. Pepinsky

COVID-19 has killed more people than any war or public health crisis in American history, but the scale and grim human toll of the pandemic were not inevitable. Pandemic Politics examines how Donald Trump politicized COVID-19, shedding new light on how his administration tied the pandemic to the president’s political fate in an election year and chose partisanship over public health, with disastrous consequences for all of us.

Health is not an inherently polarizing issue, but the Trump administration’s partisan response to COVID-19 led ordinary citizens to prioritize what was good for their “team” rather than what was good for their country.

Democrats, in turn, viewed the crisis as evidence of Trump’s indifference to public well-being. At a time when solidarity and bipartisan unity were sorely needed, Americans came to see the pandemic in partisan terms, adopting behaviors and attitudes that continue to divide us today.

Reading Dunya Mikhail’s “The Bird Tattoo,” published in 2020, is embarking on a journey through the intricate layers of identity, loss and hope.

From the very first pages, readers will be drawn into the world of the unnamed protagonist, a journalist returning to her war-torn homeland of Iraq.

Mikhail’s writing envelops you, making you feel the weight of memories and the pulse of a country struggling to heal. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its unflinching exploration of the painful subject of the sale of Yazidi women as slaves by Daesh.

Mikhail addresses this trauma with a delicate touch, balancing the harsh realities of this atrocity with an exploration of the astonishing world of Yazidi customs and legends.

This duality adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to appreciate the richness of Yazidi culture even in the face of such unspeakable suffering. Mikhail tells these stories without exaggeration or sentimentality, which makes the emotional weight all the more impactful.

Many readers will find themselves reflecting on their own experiences with home and belonging. The tattoo of the bird, a symbol of freedom and escape, will resonate deeply with them.

It beautifully encapsulates the protagonist’s yearning for liberation from the constraints of her past and the chaos surrounding her.

Mikhail’s prose is both lyrical and haunting, painting vivid images of Baghdad that linger in the mind. Readers will hear the sounds of the city and feel the warmth of the sun, yet the underlying tension of conflict is always present.

This duality will strike a chord with them, as it mirrors the complexities of life — how beauty and pain often coexist.

The flashbacks woven throughout the story are particularly poignant. They allow readers to witness the protagonist’s childhood and the impact of war on her family relationships. They will feel her loss and her struggle to reconcile her past with her present.

One of the most powerful aspects of “The Bird Tattoo” is its exploration of resilience. Despite the heavy themes of loss and trauma, Mikhail instills a sense of hope throughout the narrative.

Readers will find themselves rooting for the characters, marveling at their strength and determination to find their place in a world that often feels unforgiving. This theme will inspire them.

The novel is not just a story about war; it is a profound meditation on identity, love, and the quest for freedom.

The fact that Mikhail, an Iraqi-American, went on to become the English translator of her own work, which is now available in several languages, speaks to her commitment to sharing these stories with the world.

This book left me with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience and the enduring spirit of those who face unimaginable challenges.

It has certainly stayed with me, encouraging me to think more deeply about my own journey and the stories that shape who we are.