What do you think?
Rate this book
At the Breakfast Table
Told from four different perspectives, At the Breakfast Table is a story of hidden histories and family secrets, from the author of The Silence of Scheherazade.
Prinkipo Island, Turkey, 2017.
In the glow of a late summer morning, family gather for the 100th birthday of the famous artist Sirin Saka. It ought to be a time of fond reminiscence, looking back on a long and fruitful artistic career, on memories spanning almost a century, and of an era when imperial forces fought over her homeland.
But the deep past is something Sirin has spent a lifetime trying to conceal. Her grandchildren, Nur and Fikret, and great grandchild, Selin, do not know what Sirin is hiding, though they are intimately aware of the secret's psychological consequences. The siblings invite family friend and investigative journalist Burak along to interview Sirin for his weekly column in celebration of her 100th year. They hope he will help unravel the family secrets and persuade her to talk. Sirin's life-long servant Sadik, is determined to do all he can to protect the artist.
Eventually Sirin begins to express her pain the only way she knows how. She paints the story onto her dining room wall, revealing a history wiped from public consciousness and the cause of her family's anguish that has sat, ruinous, in their subconscious for generations.
Prinkipo Island, Turkey, 2017.
In the glow of a late summer morning, family gather for the 100th birthday of the famous artist Sirin Saka. It ought to be a time of fond reminiscence, looking back on a long and fruitful artistic career, on memories spanning almost a century, and of an era when imperial forces fought over her homeland.
But the deep past is something Sirin has spent a lifetime trying to conceal. Her grandchildren, Nur and Fikret, and great grandchild, Selin, do not know what Sirin is hiding, though they are intimately aware of the secret's psychological consequences. The siblings invite family friend and investigative journalist Burak along to interview Sirin for his weekly column in celebration of her 100th year. They hope he will help unravel the family secrets and persuade her to talk. Sirin's life-long servant Sadik, is determined to do all he can to protect the artist.
Eventually Sirin begins to express her pain the only way she knows how. She paints the story onto her dining room wall, revealing a history wiped from public consciousness and the cause of her family's anguish that has sat, ruinous, in their subconscious for generations.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
34 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Defne Suman
14 books333 followersDefne Suman was born in Istanbul and grew up on Prinkipo Island. She gained a Masters in sociology from the Bosphorus University and then worked as a teacher in Thailand and Laos, where she studied Far Eastern philosophy and mystic disciplines. She later continued her studies in Oregon, USA and now lives in Athens with her husband. The Silence of Scheherazade was first published in Turkey and Greece in 2016 and is her English language debut.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
April 22, 2019
Tabanında aile yatan hikayelere bayılıyorum. Kahvaltı Sofrası'nın da ekseninde aile sırları ve ilişkileri, gerilimleri bulunuyor.
Defne Suman'ın her bir bölümdeki karakterlere ayrı dil oluşturmasını çok başarılı buldum ve sevdim. Meselesi, sürükleyici ve akıcı diliyle, akılda kalan derinlikli karakterleriyle, Kahvaltı Sofrası'nı oldukça beğendim ve Suman'ın bir sonraki romanı için meraklanmaya başladım bile.
Roman severlere tavsiye ederim.
Defne Suman'ın her bir bölümdeki karakterlere ayrı dil oluşturmasını çok başarılı buldum ve sevdim. Meselesi, sürükleyici ve akıcı diliyle, akılda kalan derinlikli karakterleriyle, Kahvaltı Sofrası'nı oldukça beğendim ve Suman'ın bir sonraki romanı için meraklanmaya başladım bile.
Roman severlere tavsiye ederim.
August 27, 2020
Mavi Orman ve İnsanlık Hali'nden sonra okuyunca daha derin anlamlar çıkardım. Yazarın hayatından esinlendiği kısımları farkettim, üzüldüm, buruk hissettim.
Harika bir aile hikayesi Kahvaltı Sofrası. Her ailenin geçmişinden gelen acılar, açığa çıkmayan sırlar geleceği de etkiler mi?
Etkiler sanırım.
Günümüz hikayesi devam ederken Pontus Rumları'nın anıları, hikayeleri güzel kapılar açtı. Her karakterin kendi iç sesi olması çok güzeldi. Selin'e bayıldım.
Aile dizilimi iyice ilgimi çekmeye başladı bu sayede.
Defne Suman bir adalı olarak oraları da çok güzel tasvir etmiş. Yogacılar, yazarlar hayatından her şeyi katmış gibi sanki.
"Hayata bir daha gelemezdik ama maziyi yeniden yazabilirdik."
💚
Harika bir aile hikayesi Kahvaltı Sofrası. Her ailenin geçmişinden gelen acılar, açığa çıkmayan sırlar geleceği de etkiler mi?
Etkiler sanırım.
Günümüz hikayesi devam ederken Pontus Rumları'nın anıları, hikayeleri güzel kapılar açtı. Her karakterin kendi iç sesi olması çok güzeldi. Selin'e bayıldım.
Aile dizilimi iyice ilgimi çekmeye başladı bu sayede.
Defne Suman bir adalı olarak oraları da çok güzel tasvir etmiş. Yogacılar, yazarlar hayatından her şeyi katmış gibi sanki.
"Hayata bir daha gelemezdik ama maziyi yeniden yazabilirdik."
💚
March 22, 2021
3.5/⭐
Το βιβλίο ξεκινάει αρκετά χλιαρά. Έχουμε το όμορφο σκηνικό απο τα Πριγκηπόνησα, μιας βίλας και μιας συνηθισμένης οικογενειακής μάζωξης. Όσο περνάνε όμως τα κεφάλαια και αναλύουμε τις προσωπικότητες των ηρώων και εμβαθύνουμε στα μυστικά τους, τόσο το ενδιαφέρον ανεβαίνει. Βλέπουμε ένα ζευγάρι που δοκιμάζεται καθώς τα γερά θεμέλια του σπιτιού τους είναι έτοιμα να πέσουν. Ταυτόχρονα υποβόσκει μια ιστορική και πολιτική άποψη του σύγχρονου Τουρκικού κράτους. Έχουμε αναφορές στο ξεριζωμό των Ελλήνων & τις δυσκολίες που υπέστησαν. Στο πως ο μέσος πολίτης της χώρας αγνοεί ένα βίαιο κομμάτι της. Αλλά και μικρές απόψεις πάνω στην Trans και Gay κοινότητα που είναι δύσκολο να αποδεχθεί ένα βαθιά μουσουλμανικό κράτος. Όλα αυτά τα περιλούζει η ομορφιά του Βοσπόρου και η ποιητική πένα της Dafne Suman.
Στο μυθιστόρημα βλέπουμε τέσσερις διαφορετικές αφηγήσεις, που μας πηγαίνουν μπροστά και πίσω στο χρόνο. Μια οικογένεια, πολλοί εραστές, ένας μεγάλος έρωτας, φιλίες που προδόθηκαν, Έλληνες και Τούρκοι που αγαπήθηκαν και μισήθηκαν. Η συγγραφέας μέσα από την ιστορία των ηρώων της μας μιλάει για πράγματα που όλοι έχουμε βιώσει ανά διαστήματα στην ζωή μας. Και θέτει το ερώτημα - αν δεν γνωρίζουμε το παρελθόν μας πως θα ξέρουμε ποιοι ήμαστε στο σήμερα;
Ένα βιβλίο που απόλαυσα αν και θεωρώ πως είχε προοπτικές να γίνει και καλύτερο. Με δυσκόλεψε αρκετά και στην βαθμολογία του. Μιας και δεν θεωρώ πως είναι σίγουρα για τέσσερα αλλά και το τρία το θεωρώ λίγο άδικο. Οπότε κάπου στην μέση ☺️
Το βιβλίο ξεκινάει αρκετά χλιαρά. Έχουμε το όμορφο σκηνικό απο τα Πριγκηπόνησα, μιας βίλας και μιας συνηθισμένης οικογενειακής μάζωξης. Όσο περνάνε όμως τα κεφάλαια και αναλύουμε τις προσωπικότητες των ηρώων και εμβαθύνουμε στα μυστικά τους, τόσο το ενδιαφέρον ανεβαίνει. Βλέπουμε ένα ζευγάρι που δοκιμάζεται καθώς τα γερά θεμέλια του σπιτιού τους είναι έτοιμα να πέσουν. Ταυτόχρονα υποβόσκει μια ιστορική και πολιτική άποψη του σύγχρονου Τουρκικού κράτους. Έχουμε αναφορές στο ξεριζωμό των Ελλήνων & τις δυσκολίες που υπέστησαν. Στο πως ο μέσος πολίτης της χώρας αγνοεί ένα βίαιο κομμάτι της. Αλλά και μικρές απόψεις πάνω στην Trans και Gay κοινότητα που είναι δύσκολο να αποδεχθεί ένα βαθιά μουσουλμανικό κράτος. Όλα αυτά τα περιλούζει η ομορφιά του Βοσπόρου και η ποιητική πένα της Dafne Suman.
Στο μυθιστόρημα βλέπουμε τέσσερις διαφορετικές αφηγήσεις, που μας πηγαίνουν μπροστά και πίσω στο χρόνο. Μια οικογένεια, πολλοί εραστές, ένας μεγάλος έρωτας, φιλίες που προδόθηκαν, Έλληνες και Τούρκοι που αγαπήθηκαν και μισήθηκαν. Η συγγραφέας μέσα από την ιστορία των ηρώων της μας μιλάει για πράγματα που όλοι έχουμε βιώσει ανά διαστήματα στην ζωή μας. Και θέτει το ερώτημα - αν δεν γνωρίζουμε το παρελθόν μας πως θα ξέρουμε ποιοι ήμαστε στο σήμερα;
Ένα βιβλίο που απόλαυσα αν και θεωρώ πως είχε προοπτικές να γίνει και καλύτερο. Με δυσκόλεψε αρκετά και στην βαθμολογία του. Μιας και δεν θεωρώ πως είναι σίγουρα για τέσσερα αλλά και το τρία το θεωρώ λίγο άδικο. Οπότε κάπου στην μέση ☺️
October 22, 2018
Sevgili Defne Suman yine yapmış yapacağını ve muhteşem bir roman yazmış. Bu sefer bir aile sırrını koymuş ortaya. Aile sırrının konusunu söylemeyeceğim ancak yazarın son iki romanındaki damardan aktığını söyleyebilirim. Yazarın kendisini bizzat tanımamış olsam da yine çok beğenerek okurdum yazdıklarını ancak kendisinin kalbinin sıcaklığını, muhabbetinin tatlılığını ve o huzurlu, bazen de muzip enerjisini Yaz Sıcağı kitabının Balat turunda bizzat tanımış bir okuru olarak satırlarında da aynı duyguları buldum yine. Ben çok sevdim, özellikle de o aile sırrının düğümünün çözülmesini ve kitabın sonlarına doğru artan temposunu, binbir tane ince detayı ve tabii ki o eşsiz ruh tahlillerini...Yazar bu romanda hikayeyi sırasıyla Nur, Selin,Burak,Fikret ve Sadık Bey'in ağızlarından anlatmış. Dillendirdiği her karakterin kullanabileceği dili de buna göre adapte etmiş. Heyacanla kitabın Büyükada turunu beklemekteyim:) Alın okuyun, paylaşın:)
March 30, 2024
Defne Suman’s At the Breakfast Table is set in contemporary Turkey, precisely in the summer of 2017 on the island of Büyükada. Sirin Saka, once a prominent Paris-trained painter and alleged lover of Jean-Paul Sartre, is approaching her hundredth birthday, and her family converges onto her summer residence to celebrate this event. However, her grandson Fikret, son of Sirin Saka’s now-deceased daughter Suheyla, has plans of his own. He is obsessed with discovering the history of his great-grandfather, Sirin Saka’s father Nuri, who remains a shadowy figure in his family’s past. Partly for this reason, he invites a close family friend, investigative journalist Burak, to interview Sirin Saka, in the hope that this will uncover secrets buried for generations – secrets intertwined with momentous happenings in 20th Century Turkish history.
At the Breakfast Table is based on the concept of collective memory, the idea that traumatic events in the past can affect not only the direct participants, but also their descendants and entire communities. Although this theory may verge on the esoteric, it certainly provides much narrative scope. Suman uses it as a basis for a generational saga in reverse in which layers of recent history are peeled away to revel the sore at the source of contemporary ills.
This story is presented through the point of view of four characters, whose perspectives alternate throughout the book. Suman does a very good job of differentiating between the voices of her narrators, which are convincingly rendered in Betsy Göksel’s flowing translation. There’s Burak – intelligent, confident but quite narcissistic. There’s his on-and-off lover Nur, Fikret’s sister, who comes across as principled, passionate, and emphatic with the plights of others, but also somewhat conflicted and hesitant. Celine, Fikret’s daughter, brims with youthful and somewhat naïve enthusiasm. And then there’s the dependable, ancient butler Sadik, faithful servant and companion of Sirin Saka, depositary of uncomfortable secrets and memories. The different viewpoints generally work and complement each other well, although admittedly at some points the strategy becomes rather clunky, particularly when Suman needs to involve other characters (such as Sirin Saka or the tragic figure of Suheyla) who do not have their own “voice” and whose storylines therefore have to be incorporated in the narratives of one or more of the other actors in the saga.
The pace of the novel is quite leisurely – sometimes possibly too much so – with the latter part of the book suddenly picking up as revelations are made. The occasional longueurs, however, are compensated for by the sheer sensuality of the narration. While its basis is a philosophical, quasi-mystical one, this novel engulfs the senses in a celebration of “earthy” pleasures. There are copious descriptions of the taste, smell and texture of food; references to music and dance (from Albinoni to folk music to Massive Attack); evocations of the fragrance of the sea, of herbs, of incense, of pine; the vibrant colours of nature and of Sirin Saka’s art, and; last but not least, erotic but tasteful lovemaking scenes.
This is a poignant exploration of a painful and sometimes controversial historical subject, done in an ultimately hopeful and life-affirming way.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
At the Breakfast Table is based on the concept of collective memory, the idea that traumatic events in the past can affect not only the direct participants, but also their descendants and entire communities. Although this theory may verge on the esoteric, it certainly provides much narrative scope. Suman uses it as a basis for a generational saga in reverse in which layers of recent history are peeled away to revel the sore at the source of contemporary ills.
This story is presented through the point of view of four characters, whose perspectives alternate throughout the book. Suman does a very good job of differentiating between the voices of her narrators, which are convincingly rendered in Betsy Göksel’s flowing translation. There’s Burak – intelligent, confident but quite narcissistic. There’s his on-and-off lover Nur, Fikret’s sister, who comes across as principled, passionate, and emphatic with the plights of others, but also somewhat conflicted and hesitant. Celine, Fikret’s daughter, brims with youthful and somewhat naïve enthusiasm. And then there’s the dependable, ancient butler Sadik, faithful servant and companion of Sirin Saka, depositary of uncomfortable secrets and memories. The different viewpoints generally work and complement each other well, although admittedly at some points the strategy becomes rather clunky, particularly when Suman needs to involve other characters (such as Sirin Saka or the tragic figure of Suheyla) who do not have their own “voice” and whose storylines therefore have to be incorporated in the narratives of one or more of the other actors in the saga.
The pace of the novel is quite leisurely – sometimes possibly too much so – with the latter part of the book suddenly picking up as revelations are made. The occasional longueurs, however, are compensated for by the sheer sensuality of the narration. While its basis is a philosophical, quasi-mystical one, this novel engulfs the senses in a celebration of “earthy” pleasures. There are copious descriptions of the taste, smell and texture of food; references to music and dance (from Albinoni to folk music to Massive Attack); evocations of the fragrance of the sea, of herbs, of incense, of pine; the vibrant colours of nature and of Sirin Saka’s art, and; last but not least, erotic but tasteful lovemaking scenes.
This is a poignant exploration of a painful and sometimes controversial historical subject, done in an ultimately hopeful and life-affirming way.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
April 9, 2019
Yazarla tanışma kitabımdı.Hikayesi ve anlatımıyla bayıldığım bir kitap oldu.Büyük bir aile sırrının ve karakterlerin her birinin içsel konuşmaları ile psikolojilerinin ayrıntılı olarak anlatıldığı hikaye öyle sürükleyiciydi ki;gün içerisinde okumaya başladığım gibi bitirdim.Kesinlikle diğer kitaplarını da okumak istiyorum.Sizlere de tavsiye ediyorum.
August 22, 2023
Defne Suman’ın Emanet Zaman’ını okuduktan sonra bu kitaptan beklentim yükseldi sanırım.
Orhan Pamuk tarafından Veba Geceleri saldırısı üstüne Emanet Zaman ilaç gibi gelmişti (bilirsiniz Orhan Pamuk’a laf sokma fırsatını asla kaçırmam). Tarihi roman yazma konusunda süper başarılı bulmuştum kendisini, neyse…
Kahvaltı Sofrası sürüm sürüm süründürdü, içimi baydı, bitmek bilmedi. Vallahi de kısa öykü olsa da çözülürmüş olay. Karakterleri umursayamadım, hiçbiri gerçek gelmedi. Hepsine Kourtney Kardashian gibi “people are dying Kim!” Diye çığlık atasım geldi. Öyle bir derdini skeyim durumu ki anlatılmaz yaşanır. Tam bir white people problems serisi. Twist çok beklendik ve o kadar da “vayyy arkadaş neler oluyor hayatta!?!?11!” Dedirten bir durum yok. Bu ülkenin tarihi tam olarak böyle. “Eee ne olmuş ki, benim kaynımgillerin hikayesi işte” diyeceğiniz bir aydınlanma anı için yüzlerce sayfa ayrıntı okuyorsunuz.
Spoiler vermek istemiyorum ama en çok da Nur ve Burak hikayesine tepem attı. Çok büyük olay, aman allahım yav nasıl olur? Bir de Selin karakterinin kelime seçimleri kitabın yayınlandığı 2018’de “genç dili” olabilecekken, şu anda “boomer yazar genç karaktere diyalog yazıyor :(“ haline gelmiş. Yazıldığı gün durum bu olmayabilir ama karakter şarap gibi değil süt gibi eskimiş diyelim.
Türk yazarlara mesafeli yaklaşımımı bir eseriyle kırıp, diğer eseriyle derinleştirdiği için Defne Suman’a ne desem bilmiyorum. Bence beraberliği kırmak için bir kitabını daha okurum. Önerilere açığım.
Orhan Pamuk tarafından Veba Geceleri saldırısı üstüne Emanet Zaman ilaç gibi gelmişti (bilirsiniz Orhan Pamuk’a laf sokma fırsatını asla kaçırmam). Tarihi roman yazma konusunda süper başarılı bulmuştum kendisini, neyse…
Kahvaltı Sofrası sürüm sürüm süründürdü, içimi baydı, bitmek bilmedi. Vallahi de kısa öykü olsa da çözülürmüş olay. Karakterleri umursayamadım, hiçbiri gerçek gelmedi. Hepsine Kourtney Kardashian gibi “people are dying Kim!” Diye çığlık atasım geldi. Öyle bir derdini skeyim durumu ki anlatılmaz yaşanır. Tam bir white people problems serisi. Twist çok beklendik ve o kadar da “vayyy arkadaş neler oluyor hayatta!?!?11!” Dedirten bir durum yok. Bu ülkenin tarihi tam olarak böyle. “Eee ne olmuş ki, benim kaynımgillerin hikayesi işte” diyeceğiniz bir aydınlanma anı için yüzlerce sayfa ayrıntı okuyorsunuz.
Spoiler vermek istemiyorum ama en çok da Nur ve Burak hikayesine tepem attı. Çok büyük olay, aman allahım yav nasıl olur? Bir de Selin karakterinin kelime seçimleri kitabın yayınlandığı 2018’de “genç dili” olabilecekken, şu anda “boomer yazar genç karaktere diyalog yazıyor :(“ haline gelmiş. Yazıldığı gün durum bu olmayabilir ama karakter şarap gibi değil süt gibi eskimiş diyelim.
Türk yazarlara mesafeli yaklaşımımı bir eseriyle kırıp, diğer eseriyle derinleştirdiği için Defne Suman’a ne desem bilmiyorum. Bence beraberliği kırmak için bir kitabını daha okurum. Önerilere açığım.
June 6, 2021
03-04.2021
Aile hikayelerine bayılırım. Ada'ya sevdam bambaşkadır. Bu durumda bu kitaba dair asla objektif olamam. Baştan söyleyeyim bayıldım, bayıldım, bayıldım. Herkesler okusun, sevsin.
Sevgili @defnesuman yine çok sevdiğim Ayfer Tunç'un öyküsünün verdiği ilhamla biz okura şahane bir okuma keyfi armağan etmiş.
Aile sırlarının gölgesinde aşk ve içsel yolculuklarına tanık oluyoruz karakterlerimizin.
Kitaptan en çok ne sevdin deseniz, tabii kül halinde sevdim ama en en en çok her bölümde ayrı bir karakter ağzından okurken ismini bilmeden ilk satırdan kimi okuduğumu anlamamı sağlayacak o üsluba bayıldım derim. Kah Sadık Usta konuştu kah Selin ama farkı anlatamam okumalısınız.
Israrla tavsiye ediyor ve keyifli okumalar diliyorum.
#readingismycardio #aslihanneokudu #okudumbitti #2021okumalarım #okuryorumu #kitaptavsiyesi #neokudum #dogankitap #defnesuman #kahvaltısofrası #çağdaştürkedebiyatı
Aile hikayelerine bayılırım. Ada'ya sevdam bambaşkadır. Bu durumda bu kitaba dair asla objektif olamam. Baştan söyleyeyim bayıldım, bayıldım, bayıldım. Herkesler okusun, sevsin.
Sevgili @defnesuman yine çok sevdiğim Ayfer Tunç'un öyküsünün verdiği ilhamla biz okura şahane bir okuma keyfi armağan etmiş.
Aile sırlarının gölgesinde aşk ve içsel yolculuklarına tanık oluyoruz karakterlerimizin.
Kitaptan en çok ne sevdin deseniz, tabii kül halinde sevdim ama en en en çok her bölümde ayrı bir karakter ağzından okurken ismini bilmeden ilk satırdan kimi okuduğumu anlamamı sağlayacak o üsluba bayıldım derim. Kah Sadık Usta konuştu kah Selin ama farkı anlatamam okumalısınız.
Israrla tavsiye ediyor ve keyifli okumalar diliyorum.
#readingismycardio #aslihanneokudu #okudumbitti #2021okumalarım #okuryorumu #kitaptavsiyesi #neokudum #dogankitap #defnesuman #kahvaltısofrası #çağdaştürkedebiyatı
May 12, 2021
kahvalti sofrasi, farkli anlaticilarin agzindan anlatilan cok sahici, cok akici, cok gercek hissettiren bir kurgunun, bir aile sirrinin surpriz sonlu hikayesi. benim ilk defne suman okumamdi. emanet zamani da almistim arayi acmadan onu da en kisa zamanda okumayi ve sonrasi icin de yazarin kulliyatini tamamlayip gelecek kitaplari icin de takipcisi olmayi planliyorum. cok severek, altini satir satir cizerek, hissederek buyuk keyifle okudum.
“insanin anlatacak bir hikayesi olmayagorsun, hemen canlaniyordu. hikayeler hayati atesliyordu. hikayesiz sonup gidiyorduk.”
“yeni telefonlar kaidelerine otururken artik cinlamiyordu. numaralari da cevirmiyorduk. sayilara basiyorduk. her gecen gun sabrimiz azaliyordu. teknoloji azalan sabrimizi doyurmak icin her seyin daha kolayini, daha hizlisini uretiyor onumuze seriyordu.”
“insanin anlatacak bir hikayesi olmayagorsun, hemen canlaniyordu. hikayeler hayati atesliyordu. hikayesiz sonup gidiyorduk.”
“yeni telefonlar kaidelerine otururken artik cinlamiyordu. numaralari da cevirmiyorduk. sayilara basiyorduk. her gecen gun sabrimiz azaliyordu. teknoloji azalan sabrimizi doyurmak icin her seyin daha kolayini, daha hizlisini uretiyor onumuze seriyordu.”
May 19, 2019
Storytel ile başlayan okumam seslendiren kadını dinleyememem ile kitaba döndü. Muazzam bir aile hikayesi.
April 11, 2021
3 puanın hepsi Sadık karakteri için.
Çok iyi bir konu nasıl harcanır bunu gördüm maalesef. Kurgu olarak romanda bence sıkıntı olmuş, yer yer tekrara düşüyor ve asıl konudan uzaklaşıp karakterlerin çelişkili ve konudan bağımsız hayatlarını okuyoruz.
Romanda ülkenin kanayan yaralarından birine değinilmek istenmiş ancak bunu o kadar geçiştirerek veriyor ki yazar çok iyi bir konuyu yüzeysel bir şekilde ele almış. Tüm kitap boyunca okura o merak unsurunu veren olayı okumak istedim, diğer karakterlerin- özellikle Selin'in şımarıklıklarını- okumak istemedim. Nur'un yaşadıklarının ayrıntılı anlatımı okuduğumuz hikâyeyi besliyor muydu hiç sanmıyorum. Evet yaşananlar sonucu böyle biri olmuş anladık da asıl o son sayfalarda okuduğumuzla bunun ilgisi ne? kuşaklar boyu aktarılan acılar insanları etkiliyor evet ama çok uzatılmış, bence Şirin ve Sadık üzerinden kurgulansaydı onların yaşadıklarını görseydik çok daha etkileyici bir roman olurdu. Sadık, Şirin, Süheyla'nın yaşadıkları çok daha önemliydi Selin'in dünya etrafında dönüyormuşçasına davranışları değil.( Burada da verilmek istenen yeni nesil eleştirisiyse maalesef bana hiç geçmedi, en azından bu konuda olmamış) Ayrıca Nur'un karakteri çok çelişkili geldi, gazetecilik mesleğini bırakıyor orada sarsılıyor yaşananlardan ancak sayfa 192'de son paragrafta dediği şey:( ne alaka yani dedirtti. Konunun ve en çok Sadık Usta'nın bu kurguda harcanmasına üzüldüm, yine de Sadık Usta benim için unutmayacağım bir karakter oldu, yazar müthiş anlatmış kalbimde hissettim duygularını, yaşadıklarını o tutuk ne diyeceğini bilmezliğini. Sadık Usta için okuyun bu kitabı, beklentinizi yükseltmeden. Sadık Usta'nın anlatıldığı bir uzun öykü olsaymış keşke diyorum bir kez daha.
Çok iyi bir konu nasıl harcanır bunu gördüm maalesef. Kurgu olarak romanda bence sıkıntı olmuş, yer yer tekrara düşüyor ve asıl konudan uzaklaşıp karakterlerin çelişkili ve konudan bağımsız hayatlarını okuyoruz.
Romanda ülkenin kanayan yaralarından birine değinilmek istenmiş ancak bunu o kadar geçiştirerek veriyor ki yazar çok iyi bir konuyu yüzeysel bir şekilde ele almış. Tüm kitap boyunca okura o merak unsurunu veren olayı okumak istedim, diğer karakterlerin- özellikle Selin'in şımarıklıklarını- okumak istemedim. Nur'un yaşadıklarının ayrıntılı anlatımı okuduğumuz hikâyeyi besliyor muydu hiç sanmıyorum. Evet yaşananlar sonucu böyle biri olmuş anladık da asıl o son sayfalarda okuduğumuzla bunun ilgisi ne? kuşaklar boyu aktarılan acılar insanları etkiliyor evet ama çok uzatılmış, bence Şirin ve Sadık üzerinden kurgulansaydı onların yaşadıklarını görseydik çok daha etkileyici bir roman olurdu. Sadık, Şirin, Süheyla'nın yaşadıkları çok daha önemliydi Selin'in dünya etrafında dönüyormuşçasına davranışları değil.( Burada da verilmek istenen yeni nesil eleştirisiyse maalesef bana hiç geçmedi, en azından bu konuda olmamış) Ayrıca Nur'un karakteri çok çelişkili geldi, gazetecilik mesleğini bırakıyor orada sarsılıyor yaşananlardan ancak sayfa 192'de son paragrafta dediği şey:( ne alaka yani dedirtti. Konunun ve en çok Sadık Usta'nın bu kurguda harcanmasına üzüldüm, yine de Sadık Usta benim için unutmayacağım bir karakter oldu, yazar müthiş anlatmış kalbimde hissettim duygularını, yaşadıklarını o tutuk ne diyeceğini bilmezliğini. Sadık Usta için okuyun bu kitabı, beklentinizi yükseltmeden. Sadık Usta'nın anlatıldığı bir uzun öykü olsaymış keşke diyorum bir kez daha.
December 11, 2019
Yapılan aşırı olumlu yorumlara şaşırdığım bir kitap oldu. Yine de, edebi açıdan beklentiyi yüksek tutmadan okunursa sürükleyici bir aile romanı.
March 13, 2024
Anlatılması gereken konuları içinde barındıran bir roman. Gezi'nin de bahsi geçiyor, şeker mi ramazan mi ayrımı da, katledilen travestiler de, Pontus Rumları da, İstanbul 'daki deprem de, yurtdışına kaçmak zorunda kalan gazeteciler de, hayata dönüş operasyonu da, adadaki zavalli fayton atlari da, .. de, ...da, ...de... Bir sosyal sorumluluk kitabı gibi, yazılması gerektiği için yazılmış bir kitap gibi. Bir şeyler olurken arka planda da bunlar oluyor, toplumsal belleğimizi görüyoruz. Ama sanki bu roman bir giysiyse o toplumsal olaylar da birer takı. Buraya bir broş takayım, küpeler, kolye, işte şimdi daha güzel oldu der gibi. Giysiyi güzelleştirmek için takıldıkları belli, kıyafetin parçası olamamış, bir bütün oluşturamamış. Sadece hayata dönüş operasyonu ile ilgili kısımda gerçekten etkilendim. Bu diğerlerinden daha ciddi, daha üzücü olduğu için değil, sadece bu daha iyi işlendiği için. Her karakterin kendi iç sesi var. Bu çok güzel ama abartılı geldi bana. Yaşlı adam gerçekten o kadar tedavülden kalkmış kelimelerle konuşuyor ki, gerçekten böyle konuşan biri var mıdır diye merak ediyor insan. Yapmış idim, etmiş idim gibi. Bir de neredeyse bütün ömrü boyunca beraber yaşadığı yaşlı kadın hiç onun gibi konuşmuyor. Yaşlı kadın 100 yaşında, adamsa ondan biraz daha genç haydi 90 diyelim. Bütün evin işini bu yaşlı adam görüyor, misafir ağırlıyor, yaşlı kadını tuvalete götürüyor filan bu kadar ağır işleri yapabilmesi de bana inandırıcı gelmedi.
Gürsel Korat'in Unutkan Ayna'si da bir mübadele romaniydi, onu hatırladım. Ama o ne romandi. Tam beş yildizlik. Onu tekrar okuyacagim. Defne Suman'in da diğer kitaplarını tabii ki.
Gürsel Korat'in Unutkan Ayna'si da bir mübadele romaniydi, onu hatırladım. Ama o ne romandi. Tam beş yildizlik. Onu tekrar okuyacagim. Defne Suman'in da diğer kitaplarını tabii ki.
August 28, 2022
Rating: 3.5
I was looking forward to this book after reading and loving The Silence of Scheherazade. While the writing was really good and the sense of place so beautifully done the story itself wasn't as engaging as The Silence of Sheherazade. Lots of POV and characters to remember so it took some time to get everyone straight in my head. I read the eARC so I'm hoping for future readers there is a family tree at the start of the story, that would help a lot. As in The Silence of Sheherazade I learned about historical events of which I was not aware.
Overall, a good read despite the sometimes confusing list of characters and if you love a book with a great sense of place, this one fits that bill.
Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus, Apollo for an early ebook edition in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was looking forward to this book after reading and loving The Silence of Scheherazade. While the writing was really good and the sense of place so beautifully done the story itself wasn't as engaging as The Silence of Sheherazade. Lots of POV and characters to remember so it took some time to get everyone straight in my head. I read the eARC so I'm hoping for future readers there is a family tree at the start of the story, that would help a lot. As in The Silence of Sheherazade I learned about historical events of which I was not aware.
Overall, a good read despite the sometimes confusing list of characters and if you love a book with a great sense of place, this one fits that bill.
Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus, Apollo for an early ebook edition in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 6, 2023
İyi anlatılan aile ve ada hikayelerini severim, dolayısıyla Kahvaltı Sofrası'nı keyifle okudum…
Büyükada'da hizmetkarı Sadık Usta ile yaşayan ünlü ressam Şirin Saka yüz yaşına basacaktır. Torunları ve arkadaşları olan bir gazeteci bu özel kutlama için Şirin Hanım'a misafir olurlar. Torunlarından Fikret bir süredir ailelerinin sırlarla dolu geçmişini araştırmaktadır, bir kahvaltı sofrasının ardından ortadan kaybolunca kutlama havası yerini gerginliğe bırakır…
Defne Suman yine iyi bildiği kimlikler ve aileler üzerine hem akıcı hem sarsıcı bir hikaye anlatmış. Aile geçmişinin ve sırlarının sonraki kuşaklar üzerinde yarattığı etkilere yaptığı vurguyu dikkat çekici buldum. Ayrıca, dört farklı karakterin ağzından olayları aktarırken her birinin ruh halini, düşüncelerini, bakış açısını başarıyla satırlara yansıtmış...
Büyükada'da hizmetkarı Sadık Usta ile yaşayan ünlü ressam Şirin Saka yüz yaşına basacaktır. Torunları ve arkadaşları olan bir gazeteci bu özel kutlama için Şirin Hanım'a misafir olurlar. Torunlarından Fikret bir süredir ailelerinin sırlarla dolu geçmişini araştırmaktadır, bir kahvaltı sofrasının ardından ortadan kaybolunca kutlama havası yerini gerginliğe bırakır…
Defne Suman yine iyi bildiği kimlikler ve aileler üzerine hem akıcı hem sarsıcı bir hikaye anlatmış. Aile geçmişinin ve sırlarının sonraki kuşaklar üzerinde yarattığı etkilere yaptığı vurguyu dikkat çekici buldum. Ayrıca, dört farklı karakterin ağzından olayları aktarırken her birinin ruh halini, düşüncelerini, bakış açısını başarıyla satırlara yansıtmış...
April 10, 2020
Ee yani?? Bir dünya laf kalabaligi, karakterlerin konudan bagimsiz ucu acik kalan gereksiz bireysel hikayeleri konu bütünlügünün olusmasina engel oluyor. Birsey olacak diye bekle bekle, olan sey hic heyecan merak uyandirmasin. Yazim dili okuyucuya kesintisiz bir okuma imkani sunmuyor. Kullanilan türkce akici hissettirmiyor. Vasat.
December 12, 2018
Yeni bir yazarla tanismak isterseniz Defne Sumani öneririm.
June 16, 2024
Geçmiş-gelecek örgülü kurgusu düzgün bir roman Kahvaltı Sofrası. Defne Suman'dan okuduğum ilk kitap ve ısındık birbirimize sanıyorum.
Ünlü ressam Şirin Saka'nın ve adı gibi sadık dostu Sadık'ın gerçek hayat örgüsünü taşıyan ve Şirin Saka'nın yüzüncü yaşında onun hakkında gerçekleri öğrenen ailesi ile ilgili çekici bir roman.
Aileli,bol sofralı, doğa ile iç içe duru bir kitap ancak eksikleri var kendini de bana göre tekrarlıyor ama kendini de okutuyor.
Ünlü ressam Şirin Saka'nın ve adı gibi sadık dostu Sadık'ın gerçek hayat örgüsünü taşıyan ve Şirin Saka'nın yüzüncü yaşında onun hakkında gerçekleri öğrenen ailesi ile ilgili çekici bir roman.
Aileli,bol sofralı, doğa ile iç içe duru bir kitap ancak eksikleri var kendini de bana göre tekrarlıyor ama kendini de okutuyor.
July 26, 2024
I beste fall en grei bok med en del rare bemerkninger og setninger som man rett og slett ikke tror på. Som at forfatteren skriver setninger bare for å gjøre det: «jeg løp som en gaselle over torget», hvem faen har da vel sett en gaselle før, og kan se det for seg?
Siste 15 sidene var meget bra, så det hjalp litt på de 375 sidene før.
Siste 15 sidene var meget bra, så det hjalp litt på de 375 sidene før.
May 24, 2020
Ozellikle son 20-30 sayfası çok iyiydi. Son sayfaları albinoni eşliğinde okudum ve muhteşem bir final oldu. Şimdi diyorum ki keşke kitabı başından beri adagio albinoni dinleyerek okusaymışım, eminim çok daha hızlı okurdum. Bir müzik bir kitaba bu kadar mı yakışır!
March 17, 2022
Μια οικογένεια συγκεντρώνεται στο σπίτι της γιαγιάς για να γιορτάσουν τα εκατοστά γενέθλιά της κι αυτό θα σταθεί η αφορμή να ξαναχτιστούν σχέσεις που είχαν χαθεί με το πέρασμα του χρόνου, να δρομολογηθούν νέες εξελίξεις, να ανάψουν ή να σβήσουν έρωτες όμως κανείς τους δεν είναι προετοιμασμένος για τη μεγάλη ανατροπή που τους περιμένει και αφορά το παρελθόν τους. Πού γεννήθηκε η γιαγιά και πώς ήρθε στην Πρίγκηπο; Πόσο στενά δεμένη είναι με τον κηπουρό της και γιατί; Πώς θα χειριστούν παιδιά και εγγόνια το μυστικό που θα τους φέρει μπροστά σε μια νέα πραγματικότητα; Γιατί και πώς αποκαλύπτεται τώρα;
Η Defne Suman έγραψε ένα δυνατό, πολυεπίπεδο, λυρικό, ανατρεπτικό, καλοσχεδιασμένο μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο με προτερήματα γραφής και έκφρασης που με ταξίδεψε στο νησί της Πριγκήπου και στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, μου σύστησε ολοκληρωμένους και τρισδιάστατους χαρακτήρες, μου χάρισε ποικίλες οπτικές γωνίες μιας ιστορίας που έχει τις ρίζες της στο παρελθόν και απλώνει τα δίχτυα της μέχρι σήμερα. Το νέο της μυθιστόρημα είναι προϊόν συγγραφικής ωρίμανσης και χειρίζεται την πλοκή υποδειγματικά. Τα μέλη της οικογένειας, φίλοι και γείτονες, έρχονται και παρέρχονται, μας γυρνάνε στο παρελθόν και μας ξαναφέρνουν στο σήμερα, αλληλοεπιδρούν, ωριμάζουν, ξαφνιάζονται, απελπίζονται, ερωτεύονται, μελαγχολούν, θυμώνουν, πεισμώνουν, ξεδιπλώνουν τις ζωές τους αγνοώντας την έκπληξη που τους περιμένει και που θα ανατρέψει τα πάντα. «…πάνω απ’ αυτήν την οικογένεια πλανιέται μια κατάρα. Μια δυσάρεστη σκοτεινή ενέργεια. Η έντονη σκιά ενός άλυτου προβλήματος που προκαλεί σε όλα τα μέλη της ένα αίσθημα ανεπάρκειας» (σελ. 113).
Ο Μπουράκ Γκιοκτσέ είναι δημοσιογράφος, φιλοξενούμενος στο σπίτι της ηλικιωμένης Σιρίν Σακά στην Πρίγκηπο. Οικογενειακός φίλος που κάποτε κυνηγούσε τη δυσπρόσιτη διάσημη καλλιτέχνιδα Σιρίν Σακά για συνέντευξη ενώ η ερωτική του σχέση με την εγγονή της, Νουρ, περνάει κυριολεκτικά από τα σαράντα κύματα. Είναι ένα ζευγάρι που ξεφεύγει από την πεπατημένη, με τα αισθήματα εκείνου να είναι πιο στέρεα: «Η Κυριακή έσμιγε με τη Δευτέρα. Οι διακοπές έσμιγαν με τη ζωή, το όνειρο με την πραγματικότητα. Για να μη χωρίσουν, κρατιόμουν από τη Νουρ» (σελ. 19). Εκείνη με νάζια τον διεκδικεί από κάθε νέα του ερωτική αφετηρία, εκείνος το δέχεται αλλά δεν παρασύρεται, η συμπεριφορά της τον πληγώνει, ο χαρακτήρας της όμως δε δείχνει ελαφρόμυαλος ή αδιάφορος. Μέρα τη μέρα κι όσο κοντεύουμε στο τέλος του βιβλίου έχει ξυθεί για τα καλά η επιφάνεια της κοπέλας, έχει φωτιστεί κάθε σκεπτικισμός και κίνητρό της, με τον γάμο της να αποτελεί άλλο ένα εμπόδιο ανάμεσά τους. Οι δυο τους εκπροσωπούν την «τυχερή γενιά», την ενδιάμεση γενιά, είναι μάρτυρες μιας επανάστασης που αλλάζει ριζικά τα πρότυπα επικοινωνίας: «Αρκετά μεγάλοι ώστε να ξέρουμε τα παλιά πρότυπα αλλά και τόσο νέοι ώστε να εξοικειωθούμε με τα καινούρια» (σελ. 61). Ο Μπουράκ αγαπάει να ερευνά τις μορφές επικοινωνίας πριν από το διαδίκτυο, από τα έξυπνα τηλέφωνα και από τα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης και να ζωντανεύει ιστορίες μιας γενιάς που δεν πέρασε κι ούτε θα μπορέσει να περάσει στην καινούρια χιλιετία. «Η παρουσία του ισοδυναμεί με πρόσκληση στη σοβαρότητα» (σελ. 256). Η Νουρ είναι συγγραφέας μυθιστορημάτων που της αναθέτουν άλλοι να γράψει (συγγραφέας-φάντασμα): «Έχει μια σιγουριά που την αποκτάς όταν ξέρεις ότι σ’ αγαπάνε» (σελ. 125). Είναι αδελφή του Φικρέτ Μπουλούτ κι οι δυο τους είναι παιδιά της αλκοολικής Σουχεϊλά Μπουλούτ -μοναχοπαίδι της Σιρίν Σακά- που πέθανε νωρίς. Η Νουρ πλέον είναι παντρεμένη με τον εκδότη Ουφούκ, που την καθοδηγεί στις επιλογές της και σε όλα τα στάδια συγγραφής που τους αναθέτουν, σύντομα όμως κάτι θα αλλάξει ανάμεσά τους.
Ο Φικρέτ είναι παντρεμένος με τη Φρέγια κι έχουν αποκτήσει τη Σελίν και τον Ουγούζ, με τον τελευταίο να ζει μόνιμα στην Αμερική. Ο Φικρέτ είναι αυτός που καλεί τον Μπουράκ στη γιορτή της γιαγιάς του, Σιρίν, γιατί έχει αρχίσει να τον απασχολεί το παρελθόν της, για το οποίο δεν έχει μιλήσει ποτέ, αφού πάντα έλεγε ότι ήρθε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη όταν ήταν στο λύκειο, με ποιους όμως, πότε και γιατί; Το μυθιστόρημα ξεκινάει με την εξαφάνιση του Φικρέτ και την αγωνία της κόρης του να τον εντοπίσει, ζητώντας τη βοήθεια του Μπουράκ, κάτι που θα τη φέρει πιο κοντά του. Η έφηβη Σελίν είναι κρυφά ερωτευμένη, παραμένει παιδί, είναι αυθόρμητη, χρησιμοποιεί νεανικό λεξιλόγιο αλλά το πείσμα της και ο πόθος της θα πυροδοτήσουν απρόβλεπτες εξελίξεις που θα οδηγήσουν την ιστορία κοντά στην τραγική αλήθεια που είναι απαραίτητη να βγει στο φως για να την αντιμετωπίσουν τα μέλη της οικογένειας και να προχωρήσουν στη ζωή τους. Έτσι φτάνουμε στη γιαγιά, η οποία, αν και ουσιαστική πρωταγωνίστρια του μυθιστορήματος, εμφανίζεται μετά την 100ή σελίδα ενώ ως χαρακτήρας, λόγω της άνοιας, συμμετέχει ελάχιστα στα γεγονότα. Κι όμως, αυτή η σιωπηλή παρουσία, μια γυναίκα που κάποτε ήταν περιζήτητη κι είχε ζήσει μεγαλειώδεις έρωτες, τώρα, βυθισμένη στη λήθη, ενώ φαίνεται απούσα, το παρελθόν της είναι ο καταλύτης που θα ανατρέψει τα πάντα και το κέντρο βάρους γύρω από το οποίο κινούνται χωρίς να το καταλαβαίνουν οι πρωταγωνιστές του βιβλίου. Δεν επιστρέφουμε στο χτες, δεν έχουμε αναλυτικές ή διεξοδικές περιγραφές γεγονότων, αντίθετα, το χτες έρχεται και μας βρίσκει με τις συνέπειες και τις εξελίξεις που ακολούθησαν την αλλαγή στις ζωές κάποιων ηρώων του μυθιστορήματος. Στο πλάι της Σιρίν Σακά είναι ο κηπουρός Σαντίκ ουστάς, που αναπολεί τις όμορφες βεγγέρες του παρελθόντος, θεωρεί τιμή του να βρίσκεται στο πλάι της κυράς του, ενώ χάρη σ’ εκείνον αναβιώνει η παλιά, κοσμοπολίτικη Πρίγκηπος, μια αλλοτινή εποχή, κομψή και γελαστή, τόσο μακρινή! Πώς άλλαξε η κοινωνία του νησιού από τότε, πώς γιόρταζαν το μπαϊράμι, πώς μεταμορφώθηκε η πραγματική ομορφιά του μέρους από την εκμετάλλευση του τουρισμού με τα άλογα και τον Μεγάλο Γύρο και πώς συμβιώνει με τον εσωτερισμό και την ταπείνωση της διαδρομής ως τον Άγιο Γεώργιο για τάμα;
Η συγγραφέας καταφέρνει με ��ξυπνο και αξιέπαινο τρόπο όχι μόνο να καταγράψει το χρονικό της οικογένειας της Σιρίν Σακά αναμιγνύοντας σωστά και χωρίς να χαθούμε στιγμή το παρελθόν με το παρόν αλλά και να αναφερθεί σε πολλά γεγονότα με αφορμή τους χαρακτήρες της: το «χάσμα γενεών», τις αναμνήσεις ενός ένδοξου χτες που συνοδεύεται πάντα από γλυκόπικρους καημούς για τη διαφορά του με το παρόν, τους διαφορετικούς τρόπους σκέψης γηγενών και επισκεπτών του νησιού, τις αλλαγές στην καθημερινή ζωή μιας κοσμοπολίτικης πόλης, ακόμη και να στηλιτευτούν τα κακώς κείμενα μιας πολιτικής και των διπλωματικών χειρισμών ενός κράτους που αλλάζει χωρίς να ρωτάει τους υπηκόους του («-Ξεχνάς ότι ζούμε σε μια χώρα τόσο εύθραυστη, που απ’ όπου κι αν την πιάσεις θα σου μείνει στο χέρι, σε μια χώρα που τρέφεται από το αίμα των παιδιών της;», σελ. 115). Η πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση εναλλάσσεται μεταξύ Σαντίκ, Νουρ, Μπουράκ και Σελίν, δίνοντας κάθε φορά και διαφορετική οπτική γωνία, με τη συγγραφέα να καταγράφει σωστά και με προσοχή την ιδιοσυγκρασία, το λεξιλόγιο, τη συμπεριφορά του καθενός, κάνοντας το μυθιστόρημα ένα πολυπρισματικό παζλ. Ακόμη και το ποιος μιλάει κάθε φορά είναι ένα μικρό παιχνίδι ανάμεσα στον αναγνώστη και τον αφηγητή, μιας και τον καταλαβαίνουμε από τα συμφραζόμενα.
Υπέροχη αφήγηση, έξυπνες εναλλακτικές πλοκής, λιτοί και στακάτοι διάλογοι, ανατροπές, καλολογικά στοιχεία, μεταφορές και παρομοιώσεις («Αχάριστα τα καλοκαιρινά πρωινά. Ακράτητος ο ήλιος. Η έγνοια του είναι να σκαρφαλώσει αμέσως στον ουρανό, λες και δεν θα μείνει κρεμασμένος εκεί δεκαοχτώ ώρες», σελ. 13-14), λυρικές και διεισδυτικές περιγραφές της φύσης («Το ανοιξιάτικο αεράκι της Ιστανμπούλ πάντα μου μυρίζει ελπίδα», σελ. 247), της πόλης, του σπιτιού, της ανθρώπινης ψυχοσύνθεσης είναι μερικά μόνο από τα θετικά χαρακτηριστικά ενός κειμένου που αγάπησα ως την τελευταία του σελίδα. Η Πρίγκηπος περιγράφεται ακριβοδίκαια, μιας και οι φασαριόζικες ορδές των τουριστών εναλλάσσονται με το εσωτερικό του νησιού, που είναι γεμάτο αρχοντικά σπίτια, γειτονιές, ηρεμία, ανθισμένους κήπους με γλισίνες.
«Πρωινά στα Πριγκηπόνησα» μας χαρίζει η Defne Suman στο νέο της μυθιστόρημα. Ηλιόλουστα μα και σκοτεινά, με το λαμπερό σερβίτσιο να εναλλάσσεται με τους μαστραπάδες που κουβαλούν τα απόνερα της μοίρας, με τους ήρωες να αλλάζουν, να ωριμάζουν, να ολοκληρώνονται μέσα από μια σειρά γεγονότων που έρχονται και τους παρασύρουν. Η ενδιαφέρουσα πλοκή, οι μελετημένες διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις των χαρακτήρων, το ολοζώντανο φυσικό τοπίο, οι διεισδυτικές παρατηρήσεις πάνω στις αλλαγές των καιρών και των ανθρώπων, οι ανατροπές είναι συστατικά που με κέρδισαν από την αρχή και μου χάρισαν μια ιστορία αγάπης, έρωτα και αποκαλύψεων με τέτοιο τρόπο που ξεφεύγει αρκετά από τα κλισέ μιας ρομαντικής πλοκής.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: www.vivliokritikes.com/%cf%80%cf%81%c...
Η Defne Suman έγραψε ένα δυνατό, πολυεπίπεδο, λυρικό, ανατρεπτικό, καλοσχεδιασμένο μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο με προτερήματα γραφής και έκφρασης που με ταξίδεψε στο νησί της Πριγκήπου και στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, μου σύστησε ολοκληρωμένους και τρισδιάστατους χαρακτήρες, μου χάρισε ποικίλες οπτικές γωνίες μιας ιστορίας που έχει τις ρίζες της στο παρελθόν και απλώνει τα δίχτυα της μέχρι σήμερα. Το νέο της μυθιστόρημα είναι προϊόν συγγραφικής ωρίμανσης και χειρίζεται την πλοκή υποδειγματικά. Τα μέλη της οικογένειας, φίλοι και γείτονες, έρχονται και παρέρχονται, μας γυρνάνε στο παρελθόν και μας ξαναφέρνουν στο σήμερα, αλληλοεπιδρούν, ωριμάζουν, ξαφνιάζονται, απελπίζονται, ερωτεύονται, μελαγχολούν, θυμώνουν, πεισμώνουν, ξεδιπλώνουν τις ζωές τους αγνοώντας την έκπληξη που τους περιμένει και που θα ανατρέψει τα πάντα. «…πάνω απ’ αυτήν την οικογένεια πλανιέται μια κατάρα. Μια δυσάρεστη σκοτεινή ενέργεια. Η έντονη σκιά ενός άλυτου προβλήματος που προκαλεί σε όλα τα μέλη της ένα αίσθημα ανεπάρκειας» (σελ. 113).
Ο Μπουράκ Γκιοκτσέ είναι δημοσιογράφος, φιλοξενούμενος στο σπίτι της ηλικιωμένης Σιρίν Σακά στην Πρίγκηπο. Οικογενειακός φίλος που κάποτε κυνηγούσε τη δυσπρόσιτη διάσημη καλλιτέχνιδα Σιρίν Σακά για συνέντευξη ενώ η ερωτική του σχέση με την εγγονή της, Νουρ, περνάει κυριολεκτικά από τα σαράντα κύματα. Είναι ένα ζευγάρι που ξεφεύγει από την πεπατημένη, με τα αισθήματα εκείνου να είναι πιο στέρεα: «Η Κυριακή έσμιγε με τη Δευτέρα. Οι διακοπές έσμιγαν με τη ζωή, το όνειρο με την πραγματικότητα. Για να μη χωρίσουν, κρατιόμουν από τη Νουρ» (σελ. 19). Εκείνη με νάζια τον διεκδικεί από κάθε νέα του ερωτική αφετηρία, εκείνος το δέχεται αλλά δεν παρασύρεται, η συμπεριφορά της τον πληγώνει, ο χαρακτήρας της όμως δε δείχνει ελαφρόμυαλος ή αδιάφορος. Μέρα τη μέρα κι όσο κοντεύουμε στο τέλος του βιβλίου έχει ξυθεί για τα καλά η επιφάνεια της κοπέλας, έχει φωτιστεί κάθε σκεπτικισμός και κίνητρό της, με τον γάμο της να αποτελεί άλλο ένα εμπόδιο ανάμεσά τους. Οι δυο τους εκπροσωπούν την «τυχερή γενιά», την ενδιάμεση γενιά, είναι μάρτυρες μιας επανάστασης που αλλάζει ριζικά τα πρότυπα επικοινωνίας: «Αρκετά μεγάλοι ώστε να ξέρουμε τα παλιά πρότυπα αλλά και τόσο νέοι ώστε να εξοικειωθούμε με τα καινούρια» (σελ. 61). Ο Μπουράκ αγαπάει να ερευνά τις μορφές επικοινωνίας πριν από το διαδίκτυο, από τα έξυπνα τηλέφωνα και από τα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης και να ζωντανεύει ιστορίες μιας γενιάς που δεν πέρασε κι ούτε θα μπορέσει να περάσει στην καινούρια χιλιετία. «Η παρουσία του ισοδυναμεί με πρόσκληση στη σοβαρότητα» (σελ. 256). Η Νουρ είναι συγγραφέας μυθιστορημάτων που της αναθέτουν άλλοι να γράψει (συγγραφέας-φάντασμα): «Έχει μια σιγουριά που την αποκτάς όταν ξέρεις ότι σ’ αγαπάνε» (σελ. 125). Είναι αδελφή του Φικρέτ Μπουλούτ κι οι δυο τους είναι παιδιά της αλκοολικής Σουχεϊλά Μπουλούτ -μοναχοπαίδι της Σιρίν Σακά- που πέθανε νωρίς. Η Νουρ πλέον είναι παντρεμένη με τον εκδότη Ουφούκ, που την καθοδηγεί στις επιλογές της και σε όλα τα στάδια συγγραφής που τους αναθέτουν, σύντομα όμως κάτι θα αλλάξει ανάμεσά τους.
Ο Φικρέτ είναι παντρεμένος με τη Φρέγια κι έχουν αποκτήσει τη Σελίν και τον Ουγούζ, με τον τελευταίο να ζει μόνιμα στην Αμερική. Ο Φικρέτ είναι αυτός που καλεί τον Μπουράκ στη γιορτή της γιαγιάς του, Σιρίν, γιατί έχει αρχίσει να τον απασχολεί το παρελθόν της, για το οποίο δεν έχει μιλήσει ποτέ, αφού πάντα έλεγε ότι ήρθε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη όταν ήταν στο λύκειο, με ποιους όμως, πότε και γιατί; Το μυθιστόρημα ξεκινάει με την εξαφάνιση του Φικρέτ και την αγωνία της κόρης του να τον εντοπίσει, ζητώντας τη βοήθεια του Μπουράκ, κάτι που θα τη φέρει πιο κοντά του. Η έφηβη Σελίν είναι κρυφά ερωτευμένη, παραμένει παιδί, είναι αυθόρμητη, χρησιμοποιεί νεανικό λεξιλόγιο αλλά το πείσμα της και ο πόθος της θα πυροδοτήσουν απρόβλεπτες εξελίξεις που θα οδηγήσουν την ιστορία κοντά στην τραγική αλήθεια που είναι απαραίτητη να βγει στο φως για να την αντιμετωπίσουν τα μέλη της οικογένειας και να προχωρήσουν στη ζωή τους. Έτσι φτάνουμε στη γιαγιά, η οποία, αν και ουσιαστική πρωταγωνίστρια του μυθιστορήματος, εμφανίζεται μετά την 100ή σελίδα ενώ ως χαρακτήρας, λόγω της άνοιας, συμμετέχει ελάχιστα στα γεγονότα. Κι όμως, αυτή η σιωπηλή παρουσία, μια γυναίκα που κάποτε ήταν περιζήτητη κι είχε ζήσει μεγαλειώδεις έρωτες, τώρα, βυθισμένη στη λήθη, ενώ φαίνεται απούσα, το παρελθόν της είναι ο καταλύτης που θα ανατρέψει τα πάντα και το κέντρο βάρους γύρω από το οποίο κινούνται χωρίς να το καταλαβαίνουν οι πρωταγωνιστές του βιβλίου. Δεν επιστρέφουμε στο χτες, δεν έχουμε αναλυτικές ή διεξοδικές περιγραφές γεγονότων, αντίθετα, το χτες έρχεται και μας βρίσκει με τις συνέπειες και τις εξελίξεις που ακολούθησαν την αλλαγή στις ζωές κάποιων ηρώων του μυθιστορήματος. Στο πλάι της Σιρίν Σακά είναι ο κηπουρός Σαντίκ ουστάς, που αναπολεί τις όμορφες βεγγέρες του παρελθόντος, θεωρεί τιμή του να βρίσκεται στο πλάι της κυράς του, ενώ χάρη σ’ εκείνον αναβιώνει η παλιά, κοσμοπολίτικη Πρίγκηπος, μια αλλοτινή εποχή, κομψή και γελαστή, τόσο μακρινή! Πώς άλλαξε η κοινωνία του νησιού από τότε, πώς γιόρταζαν το μπαϊράμι, πώς μεταμορφώθηκε η πραγματική ομορφιά του μέρους από την εκμετάλλευση του τουρισμού με τα άλογα και τον Μεγάλο Γύρο και πώς συμβιώνει με τον εσωτερισμό και την ταπείνωση της διαδρομής ως τον Άγιο Γεώργιο για τάμα;
Η συγγραφέας καταφέρνει με ��ξυπνο και αξιέπαινο τρόπο όχι μόνο να καταγράψει το χρονικό της οικογένειας της Σιρίν Σακά αναμιγνύοντας σωστά και χωρίς να χαθούμε στιγμή το παρελθόν με το παρόν αλλά και να αναφερθεί σε πολλά γεγονότα με αφορμή τους χαρακτήρες της: το «χάσμα γενεών», τις αναμνήσεις ενός ένδοξου χτες που συνοδεύεται πάντα από γλυκόπικρους καημούς για τη διαφορά του με το παρόν, τους διαφορετικούς τρόπους σκέψης γηγενών και επισκεπτών του νησιού, τις αλλαγές στην καθημερινή ζωή μιας κοσμοπολίτικης πόλης, ακόμη και να στηλιτευτούν τα κακώς κείμενα μιας πολιτικής και των διπλωματικών χειρισμών ενός κράτους που αλλάζει χωρίς να ρωτάει τους υπηκόους του («-Ξεχνάς ότι ζούμε σε μια χώρα τόσο εύθραυστη, που απ’ όπου κι αν την πιάσεις θα σου μείνει στο χέρι, σε μια χώρα που τρέφεται από το αίμα των παιδιών της;», σελ. 115). Η πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση εναλλάσσεται μεταξύ Σαντίκ, Νουρ, Μπουράκ και Σελίν, δίνοντας κάθε φορά και διαφορετική οπτική γωνία, με τη συγγραφέα να καταγράφει σωστά και με προσοχή την ιδιοσυγκρασία, το λεξιλόγιο, τη συμπεριφορά του καθενός, κάνοντας το μυθιστόρημα ένα πολυπρισματικό παζλ. Ακόμη και το ποιος μιλάει κάθε φορά είναι ένα μικρό παιχνίδι ανάμεσα στον αναγνώστη και τον αφηγητή, μιας και τον καταλαβαίνουμε από τα συμφραζόμενα.
Υπέροχη αφήγηση, έξυπνες εναλλακτικές πλοκής, λιτοί και στακάτοι διάλογοι, ανατροπές, καλολογικά στοιχεία, μεταφορές και παρομοιώσεις («Αχάριστα τα καλοκαιρινά πρωινά. Ακράτητος ο ήλιος. Η έγνοια του είναι να σκαρφαλώσει αμέσως στον ουρανό, λες και δεν θα μείνει κρεμασμένος εκεί δεκαοχτώ ώρες», σελ. 13-14), λυρικές και διεισδυτικές περιγραφές της φύσης («Το ανοιξιάτικο αεράκι της Ιστανμπούλ πάντα μου μυρίζει ελπίδα», σελ. 247), της πόλης, του σπιτιού, της ανθρώπινης ψυχοσύνθεσης είναι μερικά μόνο από τα θετικά χαρακτηριστικά ενός κειμένου που αγάπησα ως την τελευταία του σελίδα. Η Πρίγκηπος περιγράφεται ακριβοδίκαια, μιας και οι φασαριόζικες ορδές των τουριστών εναλλάσσονται με το εσωτερικό του νησιού, που είναι γεμάτο αρχοντικά σπίτια, γειτονιές, ηρεμία, ανθισμένους κήπους με γλισίνες.
«Πρωινά στα Πριγκηπόνησα» μας χαρίζει η Defne Suman στο νέο της μυθιστόρημα. Ηλιόλουστα μα και σκοτεινά, με το λαμπερό σερβίτσιο να εναλλάσσεται με τους μαστραπάδες που κουβαλούν τα απόνερα της μοίρας, με τους ήρωες να αλλάζουν, να ωριμάζουν, να ολοκληρώνονται μέσα από μια σειρά γεγονότων που έρχονται και τους παρασύρουν. Η ενδιαφέρουσα πλοκή, οι μελετημένες διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις των χαρακτήρων, το ολοζώντανο φυσικό τοπίο, οι διεισδυτικές παρατηρήσεις πάνω στις αλλαγές των καιρών και των ανθρώπων, οι ανατροπές είναι συστατικά που με κέρδισαν από την αρχή και μου χάρισαν μια ιστορία αγάπης, έρωτα και αποκαλύψεων με τέτοιο τρόπο που ξεφεύγει αρκετά από τα κλισέ μιας ρομαντικής πλοκής.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: www.vivliokritikes.com/%cf%80%cf%81%c...
September 8, 2022
As with her previous book, The Silence of Scheherazade (which is still on my Kindle waiting to be read), the location of At the Breakfast Table is the author’s native Turkey. Although set in the present day it involves events dating back to the 1920s.
The story is told from four different points of view: journalist, Burak; Shirin Saka’s grandchild, Nur; Celine, Nur’s niece; and Sadik Usta, Shirin Saka’s faithful servant and companion. Although the unfolding of Shirin Saka’s story forms a key element of the book, we never hear from her directly but through the narratives of others. The same is (largely) true of Suheyla, Nur’s dead mother. I confess it took me a little time to get the family relationships straight in my head partly because, although the book does contain a family tree, this wasn’t included in my digital copy. (I was also confused by Shirin Saka sometimes being referred to as Shirin Hanim until I got to the glossary at the end of the book and learned Hanim means Mrs.)
The author creates distinctive narrative voices for each of the four characters. Celine is all breathless excitement at the prospect of discovering her great-grandmother’s story, although she felt rather immature for the age she is supposed to be. Burak is more matter of fact and thoughtful but exudes a real sense of melancholy, mainly because of his complicated relationship with Nur. Sadik Usta tells his story in a restrained way, often referring to himself as ‘I, your humble servant’. His protectiveness towards Shirin Saka (which extends to a reluctance to delve into the past) and his quiet devotion to her, and the family in general, made him my favourite character. Nur was a character I really struggled with. I found her self-obsessed and her treatment of Burak, toying with his affections when it suited her and discarding him at other times, difficult to forgive.
There is a lot of moving back and forth in time, with present day events being described alongside memories of (sometimes quite incidental) past events and the transition between the two not always entirely clear. This is especially the case in the sections told from the point of view of Nur and Burak. One minute they’ve just met, then they’ve broken up because Nur has married someone else, then they’re back in the early days of their relationship.
Between the four different narrators – and through the art made by Shirin Saka – we gradually learn about the early lives of Shirin Saka and Sadik Usta, and the source of their unique bond. It also provides a lesson in a period of Turkish history about which I knew very little and during which shocking events took place. Many of these, sadly, are echoed in events taking place in the world today: cultural and religious persecution, forced migration, extreme nationalism. Look, for instance, at what is taking place with the Uyghurs in China.
At the Breakfast Table is an interesting story of family relationships and exploration of the concept of intergenerational trauma. I also enjoyed the insight into Turkish culture (especially its cuisine) and history. However, the disjointed way in which the story was told and its slow pace meant it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The story is told from four different points of view: journalist, Burak; Shirin Saka’s grandchild, Nur; Celine, Nur’s niece; and Sadik Usta, Shirin Saka’s faithful servant and companion. Although the unfolding of Shirin Saka’s story forms a key element of the book, we never hear from her directly but through the narratives of others. The same is (largely) true of Suheyla, Nur’s dead mother. I confess it took me a little time to get the family relationships straight in my head partly because, although the book does contain a family tree, this wasn’t included in my digital copy. (I was also confused by Shirin Saka sometimes being referred to as Shirin Hanim until I got to the glossary at the end of the book and learned Hanim means Mrs.)
The author creates distinctive narrative voices for each of the four characters. Celine is all breathless excitement at the prospect of discovering her great-grandmother’s story, although she felt rather immature for the age she is supposed to be. Burak is more matter of fact and thoughtful but exudes a real sense of melancholy, mainly because of his complicated relationship with Nur. Sadik Usta tells his story in a restrained way, often referring to himself as ‘I, your humble servant’. His protectiveness towards Shirin Saka (which extends to a reluctance to delve into the past) and his quiet devotion to her, and the family in general, made him my favourite character. Nur was a character I really struggled with. I found her self-obsessed and her treatment of Burak, toying with his affections when it suited her and discarding him at other times, difficult to forgive.
There is a lot of moving back and forth in time, with present day events being described alongside memories of (sometimes quite incidental) past events and the transition between the two not always entirely clear. This is especially the case in the sections told from the point of view of Nur and Burak. One minute they’ve just met, then they’ve broken up because Nur has married someone else, then they’re back in the early days of their relationship.
Between the four different narrators – and through the art made by Shirin Saka – we gradually learn about the early lives of Shirin Saka and Sadik Usta, and the source of their unique bond. It also provides a lesson in a period of Turkish history about which I knew very little and during which shocking events took place. Many of these, sadly, are echoed in events taking place in the world today: cultural and religious persecution, forced migration, extreme nationalism. Look, for instance, at what is taking place with the Uyghurs in China.
At the Breakfast Table is an interesting story of family relationships and exploration of the concept of intergenerational trauma. I also enjoyed the insight into Turkish culture (especially its cuisine) and history. However, the disjointed way in which the story was told and its slow pace meant it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
September 23, 2019
Sırlarla dolu aile hikayelerine bayılırım. Hem de bu seferki daha önce okumadığım bir konuydu. Karadeniz Rumlarının asimile edilmesi, göçe zorlanması , yaşadıkları bütün olumsuzluklar geldi içime oturdu. Üstelik aynı ailenin eski-yeni kuşak farkları, ilişkileri, anne-kız çatışmaları ve sevgileri çok güzel aktarılmıştı. Karakter tahlilleri çok yerindeydi. Ada’nın sokaklarında gezmiş kadar oldum, tasvirler çok gerçekçiydi. İlk kez defne suman okudum ama okur okumaz da diğer kitaplarını sipariş ettim.
December 16, 2018
Her kitabını bir öncekinden iyi olacak şekilde yazmak istermiş ya yazarlar, bu gerçekten okuduğum en iyi Defne Suman romanıydı. Çok akıcı, farklı kişilerin ağızlarından okuduğumuz roman biraz kişisel gelişime bulaştıysanız sizi oldukça tatmin edecektir. Geçmişin psikolojilerimizde yarattığı hasarlar vs güzel bir hikayeyle aktarılıyor.
Mavi Orman’da yazarın yolculuğunu okuduktan sonra, kalemini daha net hissettiğim yazarı keşfetmekten oldukça mutluyum.
Mavi Orman’da yazarın yolculuğunu okuduktan sonra, kalemini daha net hissettiğim yazarı keşfetmekten oldukça mutluyum.
June 2, 2020
30 yaşıma mektupta not almıştım bu yazarımızı ve bir kitabını okumak isterim demiştim. Çok iyi bir kurgusu var, 4 karakteri konuşturuyor herkesin farklı ağızdan hikayesini dinliyorsun ( kolay bir yazım değil takdir ediyorum yazarı) ama her hikayede biraz faZla ortak noktadan uzaklaşan bireysellik var gibi geldi. Sonuç çok da büyük bir olay değil sonuca bakmamak lazim okurken yapilan yolculugu sevmek lazim.
July 6, 2021
Okudugum ilk Defne Suman kitabi. Kahvalti sofrasinda basliyan ailenin gecmisi ile yuzlesmesini sirlarla dolu yasamini dort ana karakterin agzindan dun ve bugun harmanlasi ile satir aralarinda ipucunu birlestirerek ulasiyoruz. Dili duru ve akici. Hikaye ve kurgu guzel fakat keske biraz daha Sirin ile Sadik Usta arasindaki o ozel iliskiye deginilseydi o kisim biraz havada kalmis gibi oldu.
July 17, 2019
Çarpıcı gerçekleri yumuşacık sunan çok başarılı bir hikaye. Uzun zamandır ilk defa bitecek diye hüzünlendiğim bir kitap. Kutluyorum
July 27, 2022
Oh, this one is a gem! This is precisely the kind of book that I adore and love: slow, thoughtful, and yet gripping prose where the story unfolds piece by piece like a puzzle. And even though you know from the very beginning what the picture is, you still keep uncovering every single puzzle, because what is essential is the process of putting them all together.
The beginning of the book is a bit misleading because we jump into the story right next morning after a party and it feels like this is going to be another melancholic romance. Well, wrong and thank god for that.
The oldest member of the family is about to celebrate her hundredth birthday and that is why the family gathers together on the small island. Each chapter is told by some of the characters of the story and quickly it becomes obvious that nobody in this family is happy, they would very much like to be, they all have tried in the past, but still, they don´t know how to be happy. Every now and again someone says that feel incomplete and inside them, they feel that something is weighing them down and they have no idea what to do about it. Also, there is this theory, mentioned a few times in the book, about genetic trauma. Basically, it´s down to the fact that a person who suffered a traumatic experience does carry its burden to future generations. Personally, I totally agree.
So why is this family so unhappy? We can see four generations deeply wounded, how arent able to form a healthy bond with people around, and there seems to be no answer as to why is that so.
MAYBE A SPOILER BUT IMPORTANT
If you know a bit of history it´s easy to figure out right away the source of trauma. Shirin Saka is a hundred years old now and a Turk. A hundred years ago the Turks committed genocide, in order to establish Islam in a newly independent Turkey they decided to get rid of all Christians, of whom the majority were greek-catholic Pontians. Many people have died, many hid underground, some were forced to convert to Islam, and some people were lucky enough to escape into Greece or Russia. The Turks destroyed almost all religious places of worship and artifacts. They have never apologized for it, you won´t read about it in Turkish school books and they keep their effort to wipe out Christianity off their territory, they even turned the Hagia Sophia into a mosque recently despite international protests.
Did you know that a little over a hundred years ago there was quite a big Christian community around the Middle East from Iraq, Iran, mostly in Syria up to Turkey? Almost none are left now. Almost all have been murdered and the world keeps silent. So here is a big thank you to the author for bringing up such an important topic to light. This is the first book I have ever come across about this matter in western literature. There have been few published non-fiction documentaries in Poland within the last two decades about the Pontian genocide, but that´s all I know about.
So please read and enjoy this incredible book, because it´s not only excellent but also tells you about what the president of today's Turkey, Mr. Erdogan does not want you to know.
The beginning of the book is a bit misleading because we jump into the story right next morning after a party and it feels like this is going to be another melancholic romance. Well, wrong and thank god for that.
The oldest member of the family is about to celebrate her hundredth birthday and that is why the family gathers together on the small island. Each chapter is told by some of the characters of the story and quickly it becomes obvious that nobody in this family is happy, they would very much like to be, they all have tried in the past, but still, they don´t know how to be happy. Every now and again someone says that feel incomplete and inside them, they feel that something is weighing them down and they have no idea what to do about it. Also, there is this theory, mentioned a few times in the book, about genetic trauma. Basically, it´s down to the fact that a person who suffered a traumatic experience does carry its burden to future generations. Personally, I totally agree.
So why is this family so unhappy? We can see four generations deeply wounded, how arent able to form a healthy bond with people around, and there seems to be no answer as to why is that so.
MAYBE A SPOILER BUT IMPORTANT
If you know a bit of history it´s easy to figure out right away the source of trauma. Shirin Saka is a hundred years old now and a Turk. A hundred years ago the Turks committed genocide, in order to establish Islam in a newly independent Turkey they decided to get rid of all Christians, of whom the majority were greek-catholic Pontians. Many people have died, many hid underground, some were forced to convert to Islam, and some people were lucky enough to escape into Greece or Russia. The Turks destroyed almost all religious places of worship and artifacts. They have never apologized for it, you won´t read about it in Turkish school books and they keep their effort to wipe out Christianity off their territory, they even turned the Hagia Sophia into a mosque recently despite international protests.
Did you know that a little over a hundred years ago there was quite a big Christian community around the Middle East from Iraq, Iran, mostly in Syria up to Turkey? Almost none are left now. Almost all have been murdered and the world keeps silent. So here is a big thank you to the author for bringing up such an important topic to light. This is the first book I have ever come across about this matter in western literature. There have been few published non-fiction documentaries in Poland within the last two decades about the Pontian genocide, but that´s all I know about.
So please read and enjoy this incredible book, because it´s not only excellent but also tells you about what the president of today's Turkey, Mr. Erdogan does not want you to know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews