Dukaj wrote his novel inspired by the First and Second Chechen War ( which started while he was writing ) . Xavras ' guerrillas fighting against Soviet forces resemble Chechens battling with the Russian army . As in the Chechen conflict , it is hard to decide which side is the right one , as both commit crimes and horrible acts to reach their goals . After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , a story about terrorists calling themselves " freedom fighters " gains much more meaning , and dialogues in the book concerning morals , ethics and freedom become deeper than ever
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Xavras Wyżryn