Olivier Guez novel reimagines Gertrude Bell's role in shaping Iraq
A new historical novel by Olivier Guez, "Die Welt in ihren Händen" (The World in Her Hands), centers on Gertrude Bell, the only woman among the British men who partitioned the Middle East after World War I. The book portrays Bell as a highly educated world traveler who genuinely believed she was acting for the best, despite the colonial context. Guez's narrative explores her complex legacy as a key figure in the creation of Iraq.
Key facts
- Novel 'Die Welt in ihren Händen' by Olivier Guez
- Focuses on Gertrude Bell
- Bell was the only woman among British officials dividing the Middle East
- Portrays Bell as a well-intentioned but colonial figure
- Published in German
Entities
Artists
- Gertrude Bell
- Olivier Guez
Locations
- Middle East
- Iraq