Abu Anmar Character Analysis in Frankenstein in Baghdad

The owner of the dilapidated Orouba Hotel in Bataween grows increasingly desperate as he enters a financial crisis. Ever since the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, Abu Anmar’s business has deteriorated, leaving him nearly penniless and unable to renovate his hotel. Despite these desperate circumstances, he behaves with dignity, allowing Mahmoud to leave his hotel for a fancier one without showing his desperation. Conscious of the powerful position he used to have in the neighborhood before the fall of the former regime—a position that contrasts starkly with his current poverty—Abu Anmar ultimately decides to sell his hotel to Faraj in order to relocate to his hometown in southern Iraq, after living in Baghdad for over 20 years. His decision to leave emphasizes how extreme economic instability and political insecurity have become in the city.

Abu Anmar Character Timeline in Frankenstein in Baghdad

The timeline below shows where the character Abu Anmar appears in Frankenstein in Baghdad. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Power, Authority, and Social Divisions Theme Icon

...in the front window of his realty office. On the other side of the street, Abu Anmar , who owns the Orouba Hotel in front of Faraj’s office, grows desperate as he... (full context)

Abu Anmar , who came to the neighborhood from southern Iraq over two decades years ago, has... (full context)

...had an apple smell. Mahmoud was disturbed by this joke. Later, he decided to ask Abu Anmar about the “four beggars,” and understood that people in the neighborhood believe that the killer... (full context)

When Hadi returns to his Bataween neighborhood, he discovers that Abu Anmar wants to talk to him. Abu Anmar, in fact, wants to sell him the furniture... (full context)

...a soldier pointed his gun at him and forced him to step back inside. Through Abu Anmar , Mahmoud learned that some houses had been raided that night. Although some men were... (full context)

Truth, Lies, and Storytelling Theme Icon

...he told him to move to the Dilshad Hotel. Mahmoud accepted. Although he assumed that Abu Anmar must have felt appalled by the departure of such a precious guest, the hotel owner... (full context)

In the meantime, in Bataween, Abu Anmar realizes that his hotel is experiencing severe financial difficulties and that he must find a... (full context)

One day, Faraj the realtor calls Abu Anmar into his office. Earlier that morning, Faraj slapped a man who visited Elishva on behalf... (full context)

...searching the apartment. They steal the little money Hadi has saved from selling some of Abu Anmar ’s furniture, along with other pieces of furniture. The officers call the statue of the... (full context)

In the meantime, Abu Anmar reflects on Faraj’s offer. Hazem Abboud encourages the hotel owner to accept Faraj’s offer, so... (full context)

The day before, Abu Anmar left Baghdad permanently, after 23 years of living there. He bought a new truck with... (full context)

...different parts of the city. As Faraj is watching workers remove all the furniture from Abu Anmar ’s hotel, a violent explosion—the largest one so far in Bataween—cuts these activities short. (full context)

...in Bataween, Mahmoud calls his friend Hazem Abboud, who tells him that both he and Abu Anmar are safe: the hotel owner has returned to his hometown, whereas Hazem is currently away... (full context)