Doubra Ari’s Reviews > The Bastard of Istanbul > Status Update

“We are all born into continuity in time and the past continues to live within the present.”

So there’s a connection between the families. Riza Selim is Asya great- grandfather and Yervant is Armanoush great- granduncle

“Nationalism was no more than a replenishment of oppressors.”

“Memories are too much of a burden.”

The Armenians and the Turks lived in different time frames. For the Armenians, time was a cycle in which the past incarnated in the present, and the present birthed the future. For the Turks, time was a multihypenated line, where the past ended at some definite point and the present started anew from scratch, and there was nothing but rupture in between.”

“It’s no good to be in between. International politics does not approve ambiguity.”

“When you didn’t tell anyone the extraordinary, everyone assumed the normal.”

The Copper Rule of Prudence for an Instabulite Woman: When harassed on the street, you’d better forget about the incident as soon as you are on your again, since to recall the incident all day long will only further wreck your nerves “

“The Silver Rule of Prudence for an Instabulite Woman: When harassed on the street, do not lose nerve, since a woman who lose her nerve in the face of harassment, and thus reacts excessively, will only make matters worse for herself!”

“Never cuss at your harasser.

The Golden Rule of Prudence for an Instabulite Woman: When harassed on the street, never respond, since a woman who responds, let alone swears back at her harasser, shall only fire up the enthusiasm of the latter!”