Download or read book A Fistful of Pearls and Other Tales from Iraq written by Elizabeth Laird and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books. This book was released on 2008-09-01 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Secret serpents, devilish demons, mysterious magicians - the folk tales of Iraq teem with otherworldly creatures, magic and earthy humour. Award-winning novelist Elizabeth Laird has gathered together the very best Iraqi stories during her time in the Middle East - stories ranging from thieving porcupines who get their come-uppance to the hilarious tale of the chaos caused by a handsome stranger who knocks at a house inside which lurks a marriageable daughter. Meticulously researched and elegantly retold, the stories reveal the true, traditional heart of Iraq, far removed from today's news headlines.