Cyprus-Forum.com

[Chimera]

Has anyone read "The Bastard of Istanbul" by Elif Shafak in English?

I know it was a bestseller in Turkish, but the English translation apparently is not worth attempts to read it.

The only good thing to come out of Turkey's act to appear like a good little boy in order to be considered for EU membership, was that they let Shafak off for "insulting Turkishness".

It would be interesting to find out from a Turkish author how they feel about this amnesiac-style of government.

[paliometoxo]

is it any good?

[karma]

is it any good?

sure,
it is dedicated to me

[Chimera]

Well, what do you mean by good? It is a matter of perspective.
But it raises and tackles the issue of Turkish denial for the Armenian massacres.

[zan]

Have you read "Birds without Wings"?

It gives a hint as to what might have happened to the Armenians....

[Chimera]

Birds without wings........Hmmmpphhh?

Are they Turkeys or Dodos

[BirKibrisli]

Has anyone read "The Bastard of Istanbul" by Elif Shafak in English?

I know it was a bestseller in Turkish, but the English translation apparently is not worth attempts to read it.

The only good thing to come out of Turkey's act to appear like a good little boy in order to be considered for EU membership, was that they let Shafak off for "insulting Turkishness".

It would be interesting to find out from a Turkish author how they feel about this amnesiac-style of government.

I read that novel in Turkish last year while I was in Turkey,Chimera...

As literature it is not a big deal.In fact I'd say it is probably not much better than its translation...It was a best seller simply because it touched on the Armenian question...And it was by no means very hard on the Turkish/Ottoman side..So I was astounded when charges were laid against her. But you have to understand this : under the Turkish law when a complaint is made about someone,especially under the 301 article,the state procecutors have to lay charges,and it is upto the judge to decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial. This has led to some embarrassing cases (like the Hrant Dink and Orhan pamuk cases for example) where such charges were laid by prosecutors and later dismissed by the judges...I would be very surprised if the AKP government did not change the way charges are laid soon...

[BirKibrisli]

is it any good?

sure,
it is dedicated to me

If it is dedicated to you,karmacigim, Shafak has not done you any justice...