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Lokum
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26Travel to the bustling districts of Istanbul, get a little lost on the journey, and encounter locals who share their wisdom about life.
After fifteen years away from the city, our narrator returns to their homeland of Istanbul the day before their sister’s wedding. Consumed by discontent and needing a new direction in life, our narrator searches for comfort as they wander the familiar districts of their beloved city. Along the way, they become acquainted with delightful strangers who each share their stories and enlighten the cloudy path back to our narrator’s authentic self.
A debut novel that guides readers through the beauty of Turkish culture, and celebrates how exchanging storytelling can provide us with the support to restore strength for our burdened spirit. Named after the Turkish delight candy, this sweet novel reminds us to lean on the power of our community to uplift and reorient us in times of difficulty.
After fifteen years away from the city, our narrator returns to their homeland of Istanbul the day before their sister’s wedding. Consumed by discontent and needing a new direction in life, our narrator searches for comfort as they wander the familiar districts of their beloved city. Along the way, they become acquainted with delightful strangers who each share their stories and enlighten the cloudy path back to our narrator’s authentic self.
A debut novel that guides readers through the beauty of Turkish culture, and celebrates how exchanging storytelling can provide us with the support to restore strength for our burdened spirit. Named after the Turkish delight candy, this sweet novel reminds us to lean on the power of our community to uplift and reorient us in times of difficulty.
224 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 24, 2026
12 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I saw this book, I was immediately interested in reading it. It is set in Istanbul and promised a tour through the streets and life of that great city.
I had a very memorable long weekend trip to Istanbul in the mid-1990s and fell in love with the city. I always intended to go back, and to see more of Turkey, but never did. And now it is too late, as I can no longer travel abroad. So, I have to content myself with books and stories about Istanbul. I have read history books on the Ottoman empire, books about the current political situation, fantasy books set in an Istanbul-like city, detective novels, general fiction, recipe books … I have also done art courses on Turkish rugs, tiles and architecture. So, reading another Istanbul story was a no-brainer.
The author grew up in Canada, but spent many holidays back in Istanbul, where they were born. They are at a point in their life, where they are happy to live and work in Canada, but feel there is something missing. Are they Canadian, Turkish, both or neither? Their sister’s impending wedding in Istanbul gives them a reason to return to reconnect with the Turkish side of their being.
The author returns to places they remember, experiences the smell, the food, the sights. Along the way they stop and talk to many different strangers (such as a rug weaver, chestnut seller etc)– most of whom are able to give welcome advice.
Eventually they unexpectedly meet up with their old best friend, who had also moved abroad and now gives the final good advice.
The book brings back some wonderful memories for me and also gives some universally good advice. I highly recommend it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
I had a very memorable long weekend trip to Istanbul in the mid-1990s and fell in love with the city. I always intended to go back, and to see more of Turkey, but never did. And now it is too late, as I can no longer travel abroad. So, I have to content myself with books and stories about Istanbul. I have read history books on the Ottoman empire, books about the current political situation, fantasy books set in an Istanbul-like city, detective novels, general fiction, recipe books … I have also done art courses on Turkish rugs, tiles and architecture. So, reading another Istanbul story was a no-brainer.
The author grew up in Canada, but spent many holidays back in Istanbul, where they were born. They are at a point in their life, where they are happy to live and work in Canada, but feel there is something missing. Are they Canadian, Turkish, both or neither? Their sister’s impending wedding in Istanbul gives them a reason to return to reconnect with the Turkish side of their being.
“A wise person realizes that our experiences determine who we are and that our choices reveal who we wish to be. We understand that when we accept our past, we unlock our potential. We grow and become better people.”
“I see how “Other” could be ominous and fearful to them because of its vagueness. But for many of us, it gives us room to breathe. A space where we can remain authentic to ourselves, without the confines of a label. East or West? I don’t know. Can’t I be everything? Can’t I be nothing? Why are the options so limiting? Why can’t this be a fill-in-the-blank form, rather than multiple choice? Why do I sometimes look Turkish and sometimes don’t?”
The author returns to places they remember, experiences the smell, the food, the sights. Along the way they stop and talk to many different strangers (such as a rug weaver, chestnut seller etc)– most of whom are able to give welcome advice.
“In life, people will always judge us for the decisions that we make, because that’s all they can see. They don’t see our internal dialogue, our small battles or victories, our sleepless nights — they don’t get to see any part of our journey. They see only the end result. They watch from the outside. They judge only what they can see, and they can only see the front of the rug.”
“Travel to the east, to the west, straight ahead. Take on the twists and turns with enthusiasm. The goal is to experience all the best things that life can offer. If something is not working, go seek a different direction. Explore. People should aim to ‘get lost’ on purpose!”
Eventually they unexpectedly meet up with their old best friend, who had also moved abroad and now gives the final good advice.
“The problem is when you add more value to my experiences than to your own. I am not better than you. You are not better than me. You can still be happy for me while also protecting your own progress and not diminishing your own successes.”
The book brings back some wonderful memories for me and also gives some universally good advice. I highly recommend it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Selin Kahramanoğlu’s debut novel, Lokum, named after Turkish sweet candy, is an assortment of episodes of stories and people the narrator meets during her single day in the city of Istanbul, where she wanders reminiscing about her memories of the old city that bridges both the cultures of the East and the West.
The unnamed narrator has come to her home country from Canada after 15 years for her sister’s wedding.
Being a child of immigrant parents who had travelled to a Western country for better education and a future, the narrator has very fond memories of time spent in her ancestral city during her early days, when every summer she would visit Istanbul to spend time with her family and cousins.
As she grew, the distance gathered and she missed her time in Türkiye. Our narrator also went through a tough period of mental fatigue and anxiety due to work and other issues, which kept her life in a sombre state.
What happens to her inner being and her overall life after her day well spent in the nooks and crannies of the city of Istanbul, meeting people, visiting places and markets, and embracing the Near and Middle Eastern culture of the country forms the crux of this heartwarming debut novel—even though it read as a collection of short stories to me.
My favourite story is about the rug-weaving woman and her husband and how he compliments and charms his wife even though they have their own problem to face.
Another moving story is about an elderly man who is boarding a ferry to reach the other side of the city to meet his daughter and convey the passing of his wife. An emotional episode that felt aching yet showed the true love of a husband who was supportive and caring for his ailing wife until her last breath.
The final story is about our narrator, whose name is revealed, meeting her schoolmate and close friend Kader. The conversation between the two, which begins in a casual tone becomes intense and philosophical, where both the parties pour their hearts out to share joys and sorrows and accept how life has been hard as well as giving.
These stories are more about the people of the city and their perspective of life that greatly impacts our narrator to see life in a new way amidst the chaos and conundrum of everyday living, which is part and parcel of the city.
Otherwise, too, the author has described the city, its sounds and smells, with such a beautiful description that one can definitely fall in love with the city of Istanbul and its architectural buildings.
The author’s style of writing is simple and effective, with a usage of Turkish words and phrases sprinkled through dialogues and wordplay throughout the novel that adds more authenticity and bonding to the cultural uniqueness of the country.
Overall, a must-read short novel that I would highly recommend if you are a fan of Elif Shafak and Orhan Pamuk.
The unnamed narrator has come to her home country from Canada after 15 years for her sister’s wedding.
Being a child of immigrant parents who had travelled to a Western country for better education and a future, the narrator has very fond memories of time spent in her ancestral city during her early days, when every summer she would visit Istanbul to spend time with her family and cousins.
As she grew, the distance gathered and she missed her time in Türkiye. Our narrator also went through a tough period of mental fatigue and anxiety due to work and other issues, which kept her life in a sombre state.
What happens to her inner being and her overall life after her day well spent in the nooks and crannies of the city of Istanbul, meeting people, visiting places and markets, and embracing the Near and Middle Eastern culture of the country forms the crux of this heartwarming debut novel—even though it read as a collection of short stories to me.
My favourite story is about the rug-weaving woman and her husband and how he compliments and charms his wife even though they have their own problem to face.
Another moving story is about an elderly man who is boarding a ferry to reach the other side of the city to meet his daughter and convey the passing of his wife. An emotional episode that felt aching yet showed the true love of a husband who was supportive and caring for his ailing wife until her last breath.
The final story is about our narrator, whose name is revealed, meeting her schoolmate and close friend Kader. The conversation between the two, which begins in a casual tone becomes intense and philosophical, where both the parties pour their hearts out to share joys and sorrows and accept how life has been hard as well as giving.
These stories are more about the people of the city and their perspective of life that greatly impacts our narrator to see life in a new way amidst the chaos and conundrum of everyday living, which is part and parcel of the city.
Otherwise, too, the author has described the city, its sounds and smells, with such a beautiful description that one can definitely fall in love with the city of Istanbul and its architectural buildings.
The author’s style of writing is simple and effective, with a usage of Turkish words and phrases sprinkled through dialogues and wordplay throughout the novel that adds more authenticity and bonding to the cultural uniqueness of the country.
Overall, a must-read short novel that I would highly recommend if you are a fan of Elif Shafak and Orhan Pamuk.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story is told in the first person by a woman in her 30s, of Turkish descent, returning to Istanbul from Canada, where she now lives. Over the course of her first day back, she wanders through the city, reminiscing about her childhood, meeting colourful characters who prompt moments of reflection, and sinking into bouts of self-pity.
The book’s strongest element is its portrayal of Istanbul—an ode to the city, its architecture, its people, and its spirit.
That said, I disliked the book. The narrator’s self-pity is overwhelming. It reads like the lament of a privileged, stereotypical member of Gen Z: “I’m sad,” “I’m lonely,” “no one understands me.” While these emotions are real and can be painful, they are often tied to privilege, and the degree of self-absorption here is grating. The narrator seems oblivious to anything beyond herself—other people’s suffering, broader social issues, or political realities. It is astonishing that the book never once touches on the latter two, given their prominence in contemporary Türkiye.
The writing is also poor. It often reads like a string of memes or generic self-help slogans loosely stitched into a narrative. The book lacks substance, depth, and self-awareness. Many of the supposed insights and bits of advice offered by the people the narrator encounters are painfully shallow and hollow.
I cannot recommend this book to anyone who values good writing. The only thing that kept me going was its brevity; had it been any longer, I would have abandoned it.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book’s strongest element is its portrayal of Istanbul—an ode to the city, its architecture, its people, and its spirit.
That said, I disliked the book. The narrator’s self-pity is overwhelming. It reads like the lament of a privileged, stereotypical member of Gen Z: “I’m sad,” “I’m lonely,” “no one understands me.” While these emotions are real and can be painful, they are often tied to privilege, and the degree of self-absorption here is grating. The narrator seems oblivious to anything beyond herself—other people’s suffering, broader social issues, or political realities. It is astonishing that the book never once touches on the latter two, given their prominence in contemporary Türkiye.
The writing is also poor. It often reads like a string of memes or generic self-help slogans loosely stitched into a narrative. The book lacks substance, depth, and self-awareness. Many of the supposed insights and bits of advice offered by the people the narrator encounters are painfully shallow and hollow.
I cannot recommend this book to anyone who values good writing. The only thing that kept me going was its brevity; had it been any longer, I would have abandoned it.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews