Shad Raouf Qazaz brings Kurdish mythology to English readers with debut novel

By AI, Created 10:29 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Children of the Zagros, the debut novel by Kurdish author Shad Raouf Qazaz, is now available in English after first being written in Dutch. The book uses Kurdish mythology and oral tradition to reach both general readers and Kurdish readers with a second layer of cultural meaning.

Why it matters: - Children of the Zagros puts Kurdish mythology into English-language reach for the first time through a debut novel by Shad Raouf Qazaz. - The book gives English readers access to legends tied to Simurgh, Shahmaran and Zahhak. - The novel also aims to preserve and reinterpret Kurdish oral tradition in a form that can travel beyond Kurdish-speaking audiences.

What happened: - Shad Raouf Qazaz, a Kurdish author based in the Netherlands, released Children of the Zagros as his debut novel. - The book was first written in Dutch and is now available in English. - The novel follows Princess Runak through a mythical kingdom in the Zagros Mountains. - The story begins when Runak is unexpectedly named heir over her three older brothers and then vanishes behind a sealed palace door. - Children of the Zagros is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major retailers.

The details: - The novel draws on Kurdish legends and oral storytelling, including nested folktales, sentient animals and moral turns passed down across generations. - The plot mixes political intrigue, ancient creatures and unresolved history. - The book avoids a simple hero-villain split. - Qazaz said, “Our protagonist is not just a victim. She comes to see her own role in what unfolds.” - Qazaz said his father, Azad Qazaz, influenced the novel through writing on Kurdish politics and identity. - Qazaz grew up in the Netherlands and began exploring Kurdish origins and mythology around 2019. - Qazaz said writing in Dutch gave him creative freedom but also limited access to many works that exist only in Kurdish. - Qazaz said, “Kurdish dialogue is structured very differently from Dutch or English dialogue, and I think this is noticeable.”

Between the lines: - The novel is built to work on two levels: as a standalone mythic adventure for any reader and as a culturally layered story for Kurdish readers. - Qazaz said some early scenes confused non-Kurdish proofreaders, while Kurdish proofreaders immediately understood the reaction of the characters. - That split suggests the book is translating Kurdish cultural logic, not just Kurdish themes, for a broader audience. - The story also centers women as quiet decision-makers. - Qazaz said, “Women are not always granted a spot at the forefront in Kurdish culture, but they often set the direction from the background.”

What’s next: - Children of the Zagros is now on sale through major book retailers. - The English release opens the door for wider readership beyond Dutch-speaking audiences. - The book’s reception among both Kurdish and non-Kurdish readers will show whether its layered approach travels as intended.

The bottom line: - Qazaz is using debut fiction to turn Kurdish myth into a cross-cultural fantasy novel without flattening its cultural specificity.