One of those books that slows you right down, not only to savour the writing and language and to appreciate the poignant and humorous twists, but also to think about the meanings of the stories. Breathtaking and heartbreaking, you can't stop reading.
The book is composed of numerous chapters representing strains of several men and women of various religions and stations in life, living in what is now Fethiye in southern Turkey. The book spans Turkey's history from the rise of Ataturk, Gallipolli, and various exchanges of Greeks and Turks people between Greece and Turkey until the final wholesale expulsion of these peoples. It describes the impact of ridding the population of Armenians and Greeks, leaving the remaining population without doctors, most trades and merchants, and anyone who can read or write.
No dates are mentioned, which gives you the feel of the events from the point of view of the mostly illiterate characters. Interspersed is a terse biography of Ataturk himself as forms his views on modernization of Turkey and positions himself to take control of the country. A vague knowledge of history is helpful for orientation.
A must read from every point of view.
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