Author: Ayşe Kulin
Originally Written in: Turkish
Original Title: Nefes Nefese
ISBN: 1477807616 (ISBN13: 9781477807613)
Edition Language: English
Published: 2006
Format: Kindle Edition
Ever since I read that magazine article about Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence in Istanbul, I had fallen in love with the city. That is why I didn’t bother thinking twice about buying Last Train to Istanbul when I saw the title in the Kindle store.
Last Train to Istanbul is a historical fiction written by Ayşe Kulin. This is my first encounter with the author and she has brilliantly delivered the readers a perfect bittersweet symphonyr with the author and she has brilliantly delivered the readers a perfect bittersweet symphony. The story has an array of characters and several subplots which Kulin has penned down quite craftily.
The plot
Selva and Sabiha, two Turkish Muslim sisters are the central characters of the story. Selva’s father disowns her as she falls in love with her Jew classmate and marries him. Selva migrates to France with her husband while Sabiha marries a Turkish diplomat much to the delight of her parents.
But as Hitler’s army invades France, Selva’s family, along with countless other Jews are left with no choice but to flee or be taken away to concentration camps. They turn to the Turkish embassy for help. The rest of the story revolves around Turkey’s attempts to evacuate both Turkish and non-Turkish Jews to safety.
The Review
Kulin has undoubtedly put together a delightful read. She, by using real life characters in the story asserts the fact that reality could be more dramatic and strange than fiction. While the ending felt a little uneventful compared to the rest of the story, I am certainly willing to overlook that. As the book was translated to English, some elements might have got lost in the process, but it was hard to tell with the gripping story line. The language was simple yet flawless.
What I loved the most about this book is how Kulin has masterfully juggled with the subplots and gave life to each character with grave attention to detail. Everything and everyone falls into their place perfectly, like the unique pieces of a jigsaw.
I picked this book up for my love to this faraway land. Kulin has made me move Turkey up several places in my travel bucket list, as she has stressed on the rich history and traditions of Turkey along with the country’s warm heart. I am definitely looking forward to read more from the author
My Rating
4/5
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