سەحەر

by Selahattin Demirtaş, فەرهاد چۆمانی (وەرگێڕ)

کتێب: سەحەر
نووسەر: سەلاحەدین دەمیرتاش
وەرگێڕ: فەرهاد چۆمانی
چاپ: یەکەم - 2018
بڵاوکار: ناوەندی غەزەلنووس

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Turkish, Turkish Literature, Contemporary, Middle East, Politics

Paperback

First published September 16, 2017

About the author

Selahattin Demirtaş is a Zaza Kurdish politician who is co-leader of the left-wing pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), serving alongside Figen Yüksekdağ. Demirtaş was the presidential candidate of the HDP in the 2014 election, coming in 3rd place with 9.77% of the vote.

Selahattin Demirtaş was born in a Zaza-speaking family in Elazığ in 1973 where he completed both his primary and secondary education.

Upon graduation from secondary school, he took the university entrance exam and started his college education in Dokuz Eylül University in the department of Maritime Commerce and Management where he would face political problems that would force him to leave school without finishing his degree. He returned to Diyarbakır and retook the university entrance exam, after which he enrolled at Ankara University Law Faculty. After college, Demirtaş worked as a freelance lawyer for a time before becoming a member of the executive committee of the Diyarbakır Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD). The IHD Chair at the time was Osman Baydemir who was elected as the mayor of Diyarbakır in the following local election and Demirtaş replaced him as the chair of the IHD Diyarbakır. During his term as chair, the association focused heavily on the increasing unsolved political murders in Turkey. Demirtaş is among the founding members of the Turkish Human Rights Association (TIHV) and the Diyarbakır post of Amnesty International.

Demirtaş started his political career as a member of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) in 2007 at which time he stood as one of the ‘Thousand Hope Candidates’ for the DTP and several other democratic organizations in Turkey. He was elected to the 23rd Parliament and became the Parliamentary Chief Officer for the party at the age of 34.

The DTP was closed down by a Supreme Court order in 2009 and the DTP MPs moved to the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). The BDP held its first congress in 2010 and elected Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak as its new co-chairs. Demirtaş contested the 2011 elections as part of the joint ‘Labor, Democracy and Freedom’ list endorsed by the BDP and 18 different democratic political organizations, this time from Hakkari. He was re-elected to the 24th parliament.

Demirtaş was the co-chair of BDP during the period when the peace process and negotiations kick-started in Turkey. In 2014 Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ were elected as the co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) – a new initiative originating from a three-year-old coalition of the BDP and various different political parties and organization under the auspices of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) - for the 2014 presidential elections of Turkey, being one of three candidates and hoping to attract left-wing voters. He came third with 9.77% of the vote.

Demirtaş was co-leader along with Figen Yüksekdağ during the June 2015 Turkish general election, the party's first campaign in a general election. The HDP came in fourth place with 13.12% of the vote and 80 out of 550 seats. Celebrating the victory, he stated: “From now on, the HDP is Turkey’s party. HDP is Turkey, Turkey is HDP.”

On November 4 2016, he was arrested along with other HDP MPs.

Reviews

[Sarah Jessica Parker]

It’s my pleasure to present the next book on the SJP for Hogarth list: the gorgeous, heartrending short story collection DAWN by Selahattin Demirtaş. I'm not able to stop thinking about these warm, intimate and often very amusing stories. As a lover of literature, I couldn’t ask for more immersive storytelling. Like so many of the books I love, Demirtaş’s stories are windows on to a world that many of us have never seen or know little about. What makes them unforgettable is their insistence on hope, reminding us again of the power of human stories. I’m honored to be able to share this collection with you.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from his prison cell in Turkey, having been unjustly imprisoned by an authoritative regime ..Selahattin Demirtas..a politician fighting for freedom and equality, has written this short story collection which is at times devastating and at times hopeful. A couple of the stories I really didn’t understand but then there are several that will really stay with me.
As always, I love reading about this part of the world.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing!

[Çağdaş T]

Yazarın kitabını alırken büyük bir beklenti içinde değildim elbette. Ülkemizin son zamanlardaki siyasi lider profillerine baktığımızda, içlerinden birinin edebiyat ve sanatla iç içe oluşu hatta öykü kitabı yazması merak uyandırdı. Naif bir yazardan naif öyküler demek istiyorum yalnızca. Kapak ve çizimleri ayrıca başarılı buldum. Seherlerin ölmediği, barış dolu aydınlık yarınlara !

[Murat Dural · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bu kitap siyasi bir hareket olmasını istediğim, dertleri bu yoldan anlatmasını umduğum bir partinin başkanının bence kesinlikle haksız şekilde yer aldığı hapisten uçurduğu bir kuş. Her bir anlatıda bu niyetin, birbirini anlamanın her türlü şiddete dur diyeceğinin duygusu, düşüncesi sinmiş. İş siyaset olunca dürüstlük ve samimiyet duyguları, anlattıkları şeylerin gerçek olup olmadıkları hep tartışma konusu oluyor. Doğru, yaş 44 olunca neler duydu neler gördü bu gözler demem lazım. Pek çok fikirde birbirimiz ile aynı noktada olmaya biliriz ama bu HAK VE ADALET konusunda aynı noktada olmamızı değiştiremez. Bu noktada Selahattin Demirtaş'a ve yazınına kulak vermek gerektiğini düşünüyorum. "Seher" son derece sade, duru bir dille derdini anlatan, hızlı okunan, başta da bahsettiğim gibi toplumun her konumundaki insana uygulanan şiddet, zulümle ilintili hikayeler barındırıyor. Kadınların uğradığı muamelelerin, rezaletin izleri daha yoğun. İki öykü ile sorunum oldu; ilki durmadan "bizim cenah" diyerek yoksullukları anlatan ve varlıklı insanları ötekileştirdiğini hissettiren kısım. Kendisinin de konuşmalarından bildiğim gibi "insanlar bu çağda asıl vicdanlılar ve vicdansızlar olarak ayrılıyor" demek lazım. Varlıklı olup vicdanını daha da yukarı taşıyan Kürt, Türk, Çerkez vb. insanlarımız da var. Yani her şey illa tam beyaz ya da tam beyaz olmuyor. Bunu kasten söylemediğine eminim bu arada. Bence bu noktada bir editöryal durum var. Başta da dediğim gibi bu ülkede siyaset mevzu bahis olunca doğrulara değil hep insana eksik gelene bakılıyor. İkincisi ise son öykü. Son öyküyü okuyunca anlayacaksınız. Tabii okurun da hassas olduğu konularda bazı şeyleri yanlış değerlendirebileceğini unutmamak lazım. Bu da benim kendime yaptığım eleştirim olsun. Umarım hikayeciliğe, edebiyata devam eder, nice romanını, öyküsünü okuruz. Ve en kısa zamanda manidar hapisi, diğer tüm hak etmeyenlerin ki ile birlikte son bulur. :)

[Deniz Balcı · Rating 3 out of 5]

Öyküler zaman zaman didaktik olma arzusu içinde boğulmuş. Aktif anlamda siyasetle uğraşan bir insanın, ilk yazdığı öykülerinin de böyle olmasını çok normal karşılıyorum. Biçimsel açıdan tatsız ve eksik olan öyküler, içerik bakımından çok daha tatmin edici. Özellikle 'İçimizdeki Erkek', 'Temizlikçi Nazo', 'Cezaevi Mektup Okuma Komisyonuna Mektup', 'Ah Asuman' isimli öyküleri başarılı buldum.
Öykü severlerin okumasını tavsiye ederim.

7/10

[Deborahanndilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an advanced copy of this book. In my youth I traveled and worked within Turkish Kurdistan. My first summer there I was an idealistic young white American woman who had never really had her privilege tested. It was an eye opening experience and lead me onto a career path of human rights work. For those Western readers who are unfamiliar with the history of the Kurdish Question, this book is not going to serve as roadmap for you. However, what you will find in this book is a collection of stories that show the beautiful complexity of Kurdish culture and society. It is an unflinching look, it can be critical, but a society that is striving for freedom and is looking to the future can only do that by a clear understanding of its past and present. This book is ultimately about hope. It is a breathtaking piece of writing.

[Baris Ozyurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“İlkokulu Diyarbakır’ da, Yeni İlkokulu’ nda okudum. Çalışkan, başarılı, hatta çok başarılı bir öğrenciydim. Ama en birinci değildim. Çünkü o kişi Bahir’ di. Bahir, sınıfın en çalışkanı, en başarılısıydı. Sınıf birincisiydi, ben ise ikinci. Tertemiz, düzenli, elyazızısı inci gibi, uslu bir çocuktu. Bendeyse hepsinden biraz vardı. Okulda benim çok arkadaşım vardı, Bahir’ inse bir tane, o da bendim. Bahir’ ler başka bir şehirden gelip Diyarbakır’ a yerleşmişlerdi, öyle hatırlıyorum en azından. Kimse dokunamazdı O’ na, çünkü ben vardım. İlkokulda küçük çaplı, belalı bir ‘çetenin’ başkanı gibi bi şeydim (o tarihte henüz eşbaşkanlık yoktu). Gerçi, ‘çetemizin’ çok da belalı olmadığı kısa sürede anlaşıldı, bizden belalıları da vardı ya, neyse...”(S.71)

[Dagio_maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selahattin Demirtaş, leader del partito curdo HDP è imprigionato dal 2016 in un carcere di massima sicurezza
(EDIT: nonostante Il Tribunale di Strasburgo per i Diritti Umani abbia giudicato inconsistenti le prove a suo carico, Demirtaş non è stato liberato).

102 capi d’accusa che in sostanza lo indicano come complice del famigerato PKK.
Avvocato che si è dedicato con grande passione ai diritti civili e la cui attività politica ha portato per la prima volta dei rappresentanti del popolo curdo in parlamento.
La dittatura (cos’altro è?) di Erdogan sta schiacciando sotto la macina repressiva ogni spiraglio di opposizione, manifesta o paventata, che sia.

Questa raccolta di dodici racconti è stata, dunque, scritta dietro le sbarre ed è veramente la dimostrazione di come le parole possano scavalcare anche le barriere più impenetrabili.

Ogni racconto ci apre uno spiraglio su una nazione incredibile perché in essa convive con uguale forza il moderno e l’antico.
Così sopravvivono mentalità e comportamenti arcaici che puniscono ad esempio una donna che viene stuprata; allo stesso tempo Istanbul o Ankara sono centri vivaci dove le donne sono emancipate come in qualsiasi paese occidentale.

Il biglietto da visita di questa raccolta è il primo racconto intitolato “IL MASCHIO IN NOI” *: proprio dietro alle sbarre di una prigione, la voce narrante osserva ed impara a comunicare con una coppia di rondini intenta a costruire il proprio nido.
Un episodio di minaccia e pericolo metterà a confronto le reazioni ed i comportamento della femmina e quelli del maschio: uccidere la propria virilità è simbolo del rinnovamento sociale che ogni uomo dovrebbe fare.
Un abbandono di mentalità e pratiche che acclamano il maschio come detentore di coraggio e forza mentre la realtà del quotidiano ci parla di donne che sanno mettersi in gioco con energia e audacia spesso maggiori.
Sono dodici racconti molto diversi per ambientazione e tematiche.
Per me tutti da cinque stelle-

Ogni racconto è preceduto da un’illustrazione della sorella Bahar Demirtaş.

IL MASCHIO IN NOI - *
SEHER – Seher in turco significa “Alba” e come in italiano è usato come nome proprio. Seher abita in un piccolo e povero villaggio dove sopravvive una società arcaica che rende tutto più difficile, anche innamorarsi…
NAZO, DONNA DELLE PULIZIE – Anche la città può trascinare una donna in situazioni assurde come quella di essere picchiata ai margini di una manifestazione a cui non si stava partecipando…
NON È COME CREDETE – Un racconto particolare con protagonista Mustafa che parte comicamente e si evolve sul tragico proprio perché niente è come credete…
SALUTA OCCHI NERI – Il tema centrale è quello del lavoro nero e minorile ma non solo…
LETTERA ALLA COMMISSIONE PER LA LETTURA DELLE LETTERE DAL CARCERE – Ironia e sarcasmo si possono già intuire dal titolo…
LA SIRENA – Le migrazioni e i viaggi per mare…
LA PASTA DI ALEPPO -
” C’è qualcosa di strano, in fin dei conti? Non mi pare. È il Medio Oriente di sempre, bombe che esplodono con e senza terroristi, lasciandosi dietro decine di corpi a pezzi, un povero mercato nel caos.
Numero di vittime: 68, in lettere: sessantotto.
Nell’esplosione di tre giorni fa erano state 43. Visto che la morte è una cosa davvero solita e normale, siamo forse stati noi a renderla eccezionale? In fondo la gente muore, e ne muoiono in tanti. La bomba esplosa ad Aleppo a mezzogiorno non fa lo stesso effetto sulla gente in Australia che a Sydney si ritrova al ristorante per cena, mentre la gente che a Toronto si affretta ad andare al lavoro non ha ancora appreso la notizia. Tra poco si saprà, ma la maggior parte di loro non considererà la notizia di questa “solita” esplosione come degna di una lettura.”

AH, ASUMAN! – Credo sia autobiografico. Un giovane studente di giurisprudenza fa una particolare chiacchierata con l’autista dell’autobus…
RESE DEI CONTI CON MIA MADRE – Un ricordo d’infanzia e proprio in carcere dove riflettere sul passato assume un nuovo spessore si capiscono alcuni comportamenti della madre…
SOLO COME LA STORIA – Due giovani nel pieno dell’ascesa sociale ed un libro che potrebbe cambiare molte cose…
LA FINE SARÀ SPLENDIDA- Un titolo emblematico perché questa raccolta si concluda con ottimismo immaginandosi una comunità dove si realizzi un mondo nuovo senza ingiustizie…

“Con il passare del tempo era arrivato l’orgoglio di camminare sulle proprie gambe. Per combattere la pesante eredità del passato, fatta di ingiustizie, tangenti, ruberie, droga e prostituzione, si era dato il via a una vera e propria mobilitazione collettiva che aveva riscosso importanti successi. Tutti si erano uniti perché le nuove generazioni sviluppassero valori etici e politici, i consigli avevano preso decisioni innovative e le avevano messe in atto. Con la pazienza di chi sa che le vecchie abitudini sono dure a morire, un punto dopo l’altro erano state cucite esistenze nuove (…) “
-dal racconto: LA FINE SARÀ SPLENDIDA -

[Pinar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"İnsan kendini yatay şekilde asamıyormuş.. Bunu keşfetmiş olmak içimde yeniden bir yaşama isteği uyandırdı.."

"Söyle Nergis, ben seni ne çeşit seveyim..?"

"He Nergis, ne çeşit seveyim istiyorsun..?"

"Ben severim, sen çeşidini söyle Nergis!"

"Yanılmışım, hayat çok uzun.."

"..ama insan hayal kurarken gözlerini kapatır, hiç kimse hayallerimizi görmesin diye yaparız aslında, gözlerimizi kapatınca kendimizden bile saklarız hayallerimizi. İçimizdeki gerçek biz, o hayaldeki biziz aslında."

"Mutsuz değildik, bunu da mutlu olmak zannediyorduk."

"..hep başkalarının koyduğu kurallara göre yaşadığımızı, piyasa titizliğiyle kusursuz bir şekilde kurgulanmış hayatlarımızın sönmüş ışığını, kaybedilmiş aşkını anlatıyordu."

[Bulent Alkanli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Üç erkek, geceyarısı boş bir arazide canını aldı Seher’in. “

Bir adam, bir pazar günü beni benden aldı öyküleriyle.

Ne işi var bu adamın demir parmaklıkların ardında?

[Kbrtrn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bu kitabı okuduğumda hayata karşı doğru bir yerde durmuş olduğumu bir kez daha anladım. Ülkenin sorunlarını kãh tebessüm ettirerek kãh ağlatarak anlatmış demirtaş. Meselenin sadece siyaset olmadığını hayatın taa kendisi olduğunu göstermiş bize.
Özetle başta dil olarak biraz yavan bulsam da ardından okuduğum öykülerde tam bamteli diyebileceğim konulara değinmesinden dolayi bende ayrı bir yere sahip olmuştur kitap.

[پیمان عَلُو · Rating 5 out of 5]

“او، تنها آدمی‌ست در این طویله، که قرمساق نیست.”

بیش‌تر که پُشت سیبیلم تازه سبز شده بود و قدم همچنان ۱۲۰ :
نظرم این بود که در این طویلهٔ سیاستِ «خارشه»همه از دم…

تا اینکه او را شناختم…
حقیقتا او یکی از کاریزماتیک‌ترین‌ِ سیاستمداران *خارجه است…

کُت شلوارش: بیش از همه چیز به کُت شلوارش حسودی ‌میکنم…
هرچه کُت پوش و کُت‌کش دیگری کُت شلوار او را بپوشند باز جای او را نمی‌گیرند…
چشم سعدی کور که صلاح الدین دمیرتاش هم تن شریفی دارد و هم ، لباس‌‌اش زیباست و نشان آدمیت!

موهایش: که همیشه الگویی برایم است… ساده…از یک طرف به سمت راست!
هربار که او را دیده‌ام موهایش اینگونه بوده…گویی با موهایش نیز پیام/بری دارد…

حسودی دیگرم از این است که با تمام بچه ننه دیده شدنش خطرناک‌ترین نیز هست…
حقیقتا از خدا که پنهان نیست، از شما هم پنهان نباشد: او برایم کیانو ریوز یا همان جان ویک است…

مردی با کتُ شلواری اتو شده و موهایی مرتب و شیرین و صد البته کاریزماتیک که سیصد البته میتواند یک کشور را هم بهم بریزد…

یکی از خاطراتی که از او در ذهنم باقی‌ست جایی‌ست که دارد سخنرانی ‌می‌کند و سؤالاتی را باید جواب دهد…
کاغذ را برمیدارد کسی پرسیده:
آیا فیلم no که در مورد سرنگونی دیکتاتور شیلی است را دیده ای؟
“او”
می‌گوید داریم اون فیلم و فیلمبرداری می‌کنیم…




سخن درباره صلاح الدین دمیرتاش بسیار است و دویصد البته من نه کس دیگری، که هم زبان نیست بیایید و بگوید شاید جذابیت دگیری داشته باشد…
اما در مورد این کتاب:
که کادوی ولنتاینی خود خواسته بود و شیوا برایم خرید…
تا مغز استخوانم نفوذ کرد این کتاب.
بعد از مدت‌ها کتابی را خواندم که با هرکدام از داستان کوتاه‌هایش خندیدم و بغض کردم و از خجالت بسیار نتوانستم بگریَم…
شاید هم درونم دریاچهٔ وان شکل گرفت!

[İdil Ozyurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kaz atmayın, kaz atmayın."

[A. Raca · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mutsuz değildik, bunu da mutlu olmak zannediyorduk"

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was written behind bars by a human rights lawyer and politician who is a political prisoner in Turkey. That backstory is important, because without it I’m not sure that these stories would have been published. At least not in the United States.

Each of the stories is very short. They touch on the lives of a range of people from different economic circumstances, genders and ages, but in each case the voice of the protagonist sounds the same. The writing feels very basic and colorless, like a child writing a “how I spent my summer vacation” essay. Maybe something was lost in translation. However, the themes of most of the stories are quite serious. Some of them have a profound impact.

I think more could have been done to make the stories accessible to people unfamiliar with Turkey. There are notes at the back of the book that help with an understanding of names, places and customs, but it would have been more useful to have this information while you are reading the relevant story, and not after you have finished the entire book.

Some of the stories that I found particularly powerful were “Seher” about a young woman who pays a terrible price for a little freedom; “Nazan the Cleaning Lady” about a girl accidentally caught up in a demonstration; and “Mermaid” about a 5 year old refugee from Syria. There were also a few stories that I didn’t understand at all, like the last story in the book that doesn’t seem to have an ending. So, this collection was kind of a mixed bag for me and while some of the stories were memorable I thought the writing was generally clunky. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because of the stories that I liked.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[Elvan Salman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seher, Selahattin Demirtaş'ın bu toprakların insanına dair sahip olduğu kuvvetli içgörünün bir yansıması. Anlattığı hikayelerin gerçekliği yer yer sarsıcı, en dramatik hikayenin içerisinde mizahı kullanış biçimi ise hayranlık uyandırıcı. Akıcı bir dil, dozunda mizah, dozunda dram/trajedi var.
Türkiye'nin dört bir yanından, farklı kesimlerin, farklı sıkışmışlıkların hikayesini okurken Demirtaş'ın gözlem ve empati yeteniğini takdir etmemek elde değil.
Bu kitap Demirtaş'ın haklarını savunduğu kesime karşı yabancı bir siyasetçi olmadığının, farklı kesimler için kafa yorduğunun, duyarlılığının bir tescili oldu benim için.

[B. Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ανοίγοντας την πρώτη σελίδα αυτού του βιβλίου διαβάζεις «Αφιερωμένο στις γυναίκες που δολοφονήθηκαν η έπεσαν θύματα βίας» και καταλαβαίνεις ότι αυτό που έχεις στα χέρια σου θα είναι ιδιαίτερα σκληρό. Δεν είναι ένα βιβλίο “παραλίας”Το βιβλίο αυτό είναι μια συλλογή διηγημάτων την οποία έχει γράψει ο Σελαχαττίν Ντεμιρτάς μέσα από τη φυλακή όντας προφυλακισμένος από το 2016 με την κατηγορία της τρομοκρατικής δράσης Μέσα από αυτά τα διηγήματα ο συγγραφέας με πρωταγωνιστές απλούς ανθρώπους προβάλλει τους αγώνες που γίνονται (σιωπηλούς ή μη) για τη διεκδίκηση αγαθών που θα έπρεπε να είναι αυτονόητα όπως η αυτοδιάθεση του σώματος, η ελευθερία, η δημοκρατία , η ειρήνη αλλά και για τη μοίρα, τον έρωτα , τη φτώχεια , το θάνατο
Η Σεχέρ, η Νάζο, η Ασουμάν , η Μίνα , η μάνα σπουργίτι
Χαρακτήρες όλοι από διάφορες χώρες διαφόρων ηλικιών με κοινό παρανομαστή την αδικία που υφίστανται σε έναν ανδροκρατούμενο κόσμο
Κάποια από αυτά διαδραματίζονται στην Τουρκία ενώ μερικά στη Συρία Δεν είναι όλα τα διηγήματα μέσα στο βιβλίο ίδιου βάρους και επίδρασης Αυτά όμως που σε αγγίζουν όπως το ομώνυμο διήγημα του τίτλου (Σεχέρ σημαίνει στα Τούρκικα αυγή) είναι τόσο συγκλονιστικά που πιστεύω ότι σου μένουν αξέχαστα για πολύ καιρό

Ο άντρας μέσα μας 5*
Σεχέρ 5*
Με λένε Νάζο, είμαι καθαρίστρια 3.5*
Δεν είναι όπως νομίζετε 3.5*
Τα χαιρετίσματα μου στο μαύρα μάτια 3*
Γράμμα στην επιτροπή ανάγνωσης επιστολών της φυλακής 3*
Η γοργόνα 5*
Πολτός όπως το φτιάχνουν στο Χαλέπι 5*
Αχ, Ασουμάν ! 3.5*
Ξεκαθάρισμα λογαριασμών με τη μητέρα μου 2.5*
Μόνος όπως η ιστορία 4*
Το τέλος του θα είναι μεγαλόπρεπο 2.5*

Overall 4.5*
ΥΓ Ο συγγραφέας δήλωσε ότι έδωσε αυτό τον τίτλο στο βιβλίο του γιατί η Αυγή συμβολίζει την ελπίδα Τα διηγήματα του παρόλο που είναι σκληρά αφήνουν και μια αίσθηση ελπίδας στο τέλος

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Short stories aren't my typical fare, but I loved both of the previous books published by SJP for Hogarth. This book is unique in that it was written behind bars by a political prisoner in Turkey; the introduction is particularly fascinating as it shines a light on Demirtas' backstory and motivation to write fiction. Some of the stories are political parables of sorts though they never feel like propaganda as any agenda usually refers to human rights. The tone of the stories vary, a few are tragic while others shine with hope and even have moments of humor (amazing when you consider the conditions under which the stories were written). Some of the stories are clearly inspired by Demirtas' prison stay while others are stories of lovers or families. The notes in the back explain some of the terms, people, and places particular to Turkey and/or the Middle East - these would have been more helpful had they been placed with their corresponding stories, however, I read an ARC and this may be addressed in final publication. While a few of the stories are too metaphorical and one or two are somewhat predictable, this is an enjoyable collection overall.

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a saying in Turkey: if you want to be a writer, you need to go to prison.

That would appear to be the case for Selahattin Demirtaş, former leader of the Kurdish party and charismatic author imprisoned in November of 2016. His collection of short stories is his first published work of fiction and he wrote it from behind bars.

The stories in DAWN are by turn grim, bleak, chilling, and hopeful. Demirtaş writes about life on the fringe, working-class people, some on the margins of society, some achieving success and wealth in modern-day Turkey and all contemplating a more open and free democracy while searching for meaning in life.
The title story is perhaps the darkest and illustrates the barbaric cultural practice of "Honor Killing", highlighting the clash of conservative values with the country’s rapid modernization.
Another dire tale tells the story of boyhood friends who migrate to Istanbul in search of work and money to send home to their families and village. They are undocumented workers at the mercy of their employer and toil for 15 months straight only to have the accountant disappear on the day they are to be paid for all their hard work.

Mercifully, Demirtaş employs his wit and sense of optimism and lightens the mood with a satirical "Letter to the Prison Letter-Reading Committee" and the humorous "Asuman, Look What You've Done" about a student on a very long bus ride who is told a tall tale by the driver.

The author says, “What readers or voters expect from the writer and politician are, in essence, the same: to be inspired.” In this collection of poignant snapshots of a country on the brink of change, Demirtaş manages to do just that. His own story is one of resistance and perseverance and in these fictional stories, the reader will appreciate the pervasive optimism underlying the challenging political and cultural climate that is Turkey today.

Thank you to Penguin Random House FIRST TO READ program for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for a candid review.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are short stories about everyday people, Demirtas writes. But these are stories about people in situations far from those in a country such as the U.S. In one story, a young woman is raped. She returns home but then finds that she is to be killed by her brothers and father. It is about the honor of the family. In another story a woman on her way to work smells tear gas. A demonstration must be nearby. She's hit on the head by something. Collapsed and bleeding, she is taken to jail with protesters. Even though innocent, she is in jail for months, waiting.

Some of the stories are intensely touching. Some of the stories I did not understand, even though they were haunting. What I did gather from reading the stories included glimpses of living in a world with which I am totally unfamiliar. A world where there is another bombing, 68 people dead that day. The drive to continue living under such circumstances is amazing.

When asked why he had chosen Seher (Dawn) as the name for the main character in the title story of the book, Demirtas said dawn represented hope, dealing the first blow to the darkness when darkness thinks it has won. (166)

This is a good book for readers who would like a glimpse into another world.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ο Σελαχαττίν Ντεμίρτας είναι σημαντικός Τούρκος πολιτικός, κουρδικής καταγωγής, ο οποίος από τον Νοέμβριο του 2016 βρίσκεται στη φυλακή. Όντας φυλακισμένος, ο Ντεμίρτας έγραψε την παρούσα συλλογή διηγημάτων, το πρώτο βιβλίο που εκδίδει, θέλοντας έτσι να πει κάποια πράγματα. Τα διηγήματα ασχολούνται με διάφορα σημαντικά ζητήματα που άπτονται της πολιτικής, της κοινωνίας και της θρησκείας στη σύγχρονη Τουρκία, και είναι γραμμένα με απλό και προσιτό τρόπο, με τον συγγραφέα να καταφέρνει να περάσει αρκετά μηνύματα που απασχολούν την Τουρκική κοινωνία. Βασικοί πρωταγωνιστές των διηγημάτων είναι απλοί άνθρωποι, συνήθως φτωχοί και αδύναμοι, οι οποίοι καλούνται να αντιμετωπίσουν την καθημερινότητα. Κάποια διηγήματα είναι πιο στενάχωρα και πιο έντονα, κάποια άλλα με λεπτό χιούμορ, όλα όμως εξίσου καλογραμμένα. Γενικά πρόκειται για μια ωραία συλλογή διηγημάτων, η οποία διαβάζεται σε λίγη ώρα λόγω του μεγέθους, αλλά δεν ξεχνιέται πολύ εύκολα.

[Emre · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

"Küçüklüğümde sabahları hep annemin çaldığı piyanonun sesiyle uyanırdık. Evimiz iki odalıydı, bütün kardeşler bir odada uyurduk. Annemin piyanosu da aynı odadaydı. Canım annem her sabah üşenmeden piyanosunun başına geçer, tıngır mıngır çalardı. O sesler inanın halen kulağımda çınlıyor. Sonra biz biraz büyüyünce anam, 'Lan sen salak mısın oğlum,' dedi, 'ne piyanosu; bildiğin dikiş makinası bu, eve ek gelir olsun diye dikiş dikiyorum ben.' Ama olsun, sonuçta biz piyano niyetine dinlemişiz, değil mi?"

"Benim babam da hep şiir gibi konuşurdu. Ne güzel konuşurdu öyle. Biraz büyüyünce bunların şiir değil küfür olduğunu anladık." Sf:70

[J.N. Bedout · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is a haunting depiction of life amidst turbulent circumstances. Some of the shorts are tragic and bewildering, like the one about the honor killing. The fact that the victim understands, accepts and consents to her demise is truly incomprehensible. Other shorts were difficult to understand, perhaps because their meaning was lost in translation or because of cultural differences that are difficult to explain in such limited space.

The one about the little girl fleeing Syria by boat had such a simplicity to its flow yet it was a wonderful impression of innocence lost.

The text rolls like poetry trapped in verse. Hatay is one that captures that rhythmic ebb and flow very well.

It’s a quick read, and one that will open a brief window into the distant struggles of everyday life in the Middle East.

[Hulyacln · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seher kimi yerlerde gülümseten,kimi yerlerde kızdırıp can yakan bir öykü kitabı.
Herkesin kendinden bir cümle bulacağı,üzerinde yaşadığımız toprağın kokusunu barındıran bir “sohbet” aynı zamanda.
Süslemeden,göze sokmadan,yaraları-ümitleri-pişmanlıkları bir bütün halinde anlatıyor Selahattin Demirtaş..
Bir de alıntı:
“Düşünsene,sosyal ve sınıfsal açıdan yükselmek,atmosferden uzaya doğru ilerlemek gibi adeta.Yukarıya doğru gittikçe orda bulunan canlı sayısı azalıyor.”

[Neli Krasimirova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bu kitap; gücünü edebiyatından değil, seçilen konuların yazarın kimliğiyle bütünleşmesinden alan bir metinler bütünü; Demirtaş'ın bahsettiği toplumsal mevzulara (özellikle kitaba ismini veren Seher öyküsüyle) ne kadar farkındalık ve empatiyle yaklaşabildiğini duvarlar ardından seslendiği bir eser olmuş.
*
Metni "yazar olmak" iddiası taşımayan bir siyasi tarafından yazıldığı fikrini aklımızın bir köşesinde tutarak okursak beğenmemek olmaz sanırım.
Okumayı bu kadar ertelemesem daha güzel olurmuş...

[Shekenah · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

Dawn is a deeply affecting read. The stories are simple in their presentation, but emotional in content. The stories are short, but very poignant. I wasn't familiar with Selahattin Demirtaş prior to reading this, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to access his work via the Penguin First to Read Program.

[Jennie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories—shocking, depressing, and incendiary—reflect the state of mind of the author, as he created this work while being persecuted as a political prisoner and watching the uncountable injustices happening around him in this country of Turkey.

Some of these stories echo the appalling headlines that captured the horrific events happening in the Middle East, not only in Turkey but also in Greece and Syria. The hundreds and thousands of people without faces and names all have stories of their own that are fraught with the pain of loss.

Despite everything, the author is still flight for a glimmer of hope, the dawn of this darkness that seems forever. This book is short, but will make you think and give you a new perspective.

[Bara'a Moussa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bi zimanê Tirkî dakokî li mafê Kurdan bikim , çêtir e bi cilên Kurdî xwe paye bikim


Di kurte çîroka bi navê "hisabdîtina li gel dê''

Demirtaş behsa serboriyên xwe û kekê xwe î ku paşê 12 salan di zindana osmaniya de girtî bû

Dema ku dayika wan ew şandin tasek mast bibin mala kalikê wan , lê ji ber ku mala kalikê wan dûr bû ew westiyan û li mala kalikê xwe birçî bûn

doxîn mastê xwe xwarin û pîrka wan tasa mast a vala şuşt û wan bi rê kir

Dayika Demirtaş ta deh salan bi wî û kekê wî keniya

''Hey zalimno !! tam sî û şeş salan hûn bi awayekî neheq bi me keniyan''


Herwiha Demirtaş li rewşa Suria jî rawestiya û behsa penaberên ku di riya deryayê Spî xwe gîhandin welatên Ewropayê

Ku çawa keçeke sêwî bi navê Mîna li gel dayika xwe koçberbûn û di avê de xeniqîn


''Navê min Mîna ye pênc salî me du meh berê em ji Hemayê bi rê ketin
Me di heyuata xwe de qet ji derve ve behr nedît heftiyeke di binî behrê de me
Ez gulperî me ....
Horiya behra spî me ....
Êdî behr diya min e ....
Diya min ez hêla hemêz kirim qet bernade
Çimkî dayik hemû zaf ji keçên xwe hez dikin''



Dema min çîrokên Demirtaş xwendin,heyfa min lê hat û min got :

Berpirsiyariya ji bo gelê xwe,welatê xwe û cîhanê bêtir lê nebûna bar û nivîskar bûna

Paşê min ji xweperestiya xwe ya wêje _huner şerm kir ……

Wê demê dê wêje nivîskarek bi dest bixistana ,lê dê Tirkiye jî ji siyasetmedarekî wekî Demirtaş , ji pêşengekî girîng ê pêşerojê , ji hêvî ,ji bo aştî û azadiyê bê par bimana
Oya Baydar

[Seema Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me give you some advice: Read this book. Start with the author's note/ prologue. Read it slowly. Think about it's point. Value the freedom you have, and consider the lack of freedom the author has. Then, slowly, slowly, read each of the stories. Read them again and again.

This book is so insane affecting. I am stunned by the author's ability to weave so much out of so few words. Each story is fairly short. Stories touch on violence, misogyny, freedom, family, and age. Each story uses language in different ways, highlighting the breadth of the author's skill. But, all of them show how fragile humanity is. We live at the mercy of our society. Our society thrives at our mercy. While deep, the stories also have edges of satire, humor, and sarcasm. How did the author manage it all, while being in jail?

This book is the best short story collection I have read in quite a while. Even without the author's amazing story, of being imprisoned for using free speech, this story is extraordinary. With the author's challenges in mind, the book is unthinkably amazing.

Thanks to Penguin for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

DAWN
STORIES
SELAHATTIN DEMIRTAŞ
Translated from the Turkish by Amy Marie Spangler and Kate Ferguson

"Dawn marks the first moments when light emerges from darkness. Dawn represents hope, revives itself anew each day. Darkness thinks itself eternal, and just as it believes it has defeated the light, dawn deals the first blow. This is the moment that brings an end to darkness and marks the beginning of light.”

This is a book of short stories about Turkish life written by an author who has written his book from a maximum-security prison in Edirne, where he is still being held. Dawn is his first work of fiction.

There are 12 stories in all.

I will highlight two of my favorites

The Man Inside
A mother birds defends her nest from a predator. (A vote for female strength!!)

As Lonely as History
Beloved books have a surprising history

The Notes provided to explain Turkish words and People were very good too.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4