Book 14 Portrait of a Turkish Family*** by Irfan Orga

Published in 1950, this is a memoir of life in Turkey from about 1908 to 1940.  It chronicles the downfall of an upper class family into poverty and starvation during WWI, the incredible survival of the women and children after the men have disappeared into the army.  Orga portrays the characters of himself, his mother, other relatives with clarity and insight.  A short, powerful, easy read.   The city version of Louis de Bernieres 'Birds Without Wings.