The Last Train to Istandbul by Ayşe Kulin. Translated by John W. Baker

Genres: Historical fiction, family relationships, Turkey, France, WWII, based on a true story

Edition language: English

Kindle edition: 442 pages Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) - uncorrected proof, from NetGalley.

Other formats: Hard cover, paperback, audiobook
ISBN-13:  9781477807613, 
ISBN-10: 1477807616
Original title: Nefes Nefese

First publish - 2002 in Turkish; 

Translated and published in English - 2006 by John W.Baker.(Everest Yayınları publishers)
Kindle edition published by: AmazonCrossing

Published date: 2013 October, 8th

Purchase link: Amazon

Last Train to Instanbul has been translated into 16 languages.

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Amazon book blurb:

International bestseller by one of Turkey’s most beloved authors. As the daughter of one of Turkey’s last Ottoman pashas, Selva could win the heart of any man in Ankara. Yet the spirited young beauty only has eyes for Rafael Alfandari, the handsome Jewish son of an esteemed court physician. In defiance of their families, they marry, fleeing to Paris to build a new life.

But when the Nazis invade France and begin rounding up Jews, the exiled lovers will learn that nothing—not war, not politics, not even religion—can break the bonds of family. For after they learn that Selva is but one of their fellow citizens trapped in France, a handful of brave Turkish diplomats hatch a plan to spirit the Alfandaris and hundreds of innocents, many of whom are Jewish, to safety. Together, they must traverse a war-torn continent, crossing enemy lines and risking everything in a desperate bid for freedom. From Ankara to Paris, Cairo, and Berlin, Last Train to Istanbul is an uplifting tale of love and adventure from Turkey’s beloved bestselling novelist Ayşe Kulin.

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REVIEW: 

Istandbul, Ankara, Paris, Germany, Egypt 1941.

"Spring arrived hand-in-hand with sorrow". Turkey was between a rock and a hard place. Britain demanded them to become an ally; Germany was threatening; Russia wanted Kars, Ardahan, the Bosphorus, and the Dardanelles. Choosing the losing side would have had dire consequences for Turkey. They learnt their lesson well after the first world war.

It was not only a unsettling time for Turkey, but also for Macit Bey. His wife, Sabiha, a girl who loved picnics and watching horse racing, suddenly turned away from life, as well as her motherly - and marriage duties.  Their daughter, Hülya, did not receive any attentions from her anymore. She was obviously heading for a nervous breakdown, Macit thought. 

CHARACTERS: 

Fazil Resat Pasa, and his wife Leman Hanim, had two daughters: 

Sabiha, married to Macit Bey

Selva, married to Rafael Alfandari(Rafo).

Sabiha and Macit had a daughter, Hülya.

Selva and Rafo had a son, Fazil, named after his grandfather, Fazil.

However, grandfather Fazil did not care. Rafo was Jewish, and his marriage to Selva ripped both families apart.  Fazil, the Muslim patriarch,  rejected his daughter, and Rafo's Jewish family refused to accept Selva.

The couple fled to France where they hoped to start a new life - both as exiles of their families.

Hitler's rise brought fear to all the countries. Turkey's idea of remaining neutral still did not guarantee the inhabitants piece of mind. What it did offer to the citizens though, was a last train out of France for Turkish citizens, especially the Jewish ones. Selva and her baby were compromised by Rafo when all the Jews were rounded up to concentration camps. When in doubt, men were forced to drop their pants in public to identify Jews. Escape was hardly possible. 

The incredible courage of the Turkish embassy staff, especially the actions of Macit and his friend, Taril, originally from Makatya in eastern Anatolia, lead to the evacuation of a large number of people out of harms way. A nine-day train ride back to Istandbul would become a journey through madness and mayhem and a discovery of true courage and intentions. 

Freedom and love had to survive incredible odds in the ensuing challenges brought forward by the German's occupation of France. It becomes a tale of hardship, friendship, loyalty, and love between spouses, sisters, parents and children. Most of all it is a test for religious hypocrisy and the true meaning of forgiveness.

The involvement of Turkey, and the important role the country played in the war, have not been spotlighted in any popular renditions of the events and certainly makes this book a valuable contribution to history. The historical facts are detailed; the characters, complex - but endearing; the narrative, easy. The tale is multilayered, supported by a well-developed plot, underscored by a wealth of different emotions, and based on a true story. Everything in the book is intense and actually beautiful!

I recommend this book to anyone who values the principles of honor, integrity, and innocence in both the story as well as the writing style.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ayşe Kulin graduated in literature from the American College for Girls in Arnavutköy. She released a collection of short stories titled Güneşe Dön Yüzünü in 1984. A short story from this called Gülizar was made into a film titled Kırık Bebek in 1986, for which she won a screenplay award from the Turkish culture ministry. Kulin worked as a screen writer, cinematographer and producer for many films, television series and advertisements. In 1986, she won the Best Cinematographer Award from the Theatre Writers association for her work in the television series Ayaşlı ve Kiracıları.

In 1996, she wrote a biography of Münir Nureddin Selçuk titled Bir Tatlı Huzur. With a short story 

called Foto Sabah Resimleri she won the Haldun Taner Short Story Award the same year and the Sait Faik Story Prize the next year. In 1997, she was chosen as the "Writer of the year" by the İstanbul Communication Faculty for her biographical novel Adı Aylin, She won the same award the next year for her short story Geniş Zamanlar. In November 1999, she wrote a novel called Sevdalinka about the Bosnian War and in 2000, a biographical novel called Füreyya. In June 2001, she put out a novel titled Köprü about drama in Turkey's eastern provinces and how they shaped the republic's early history.

In May 2002, Kulin wrote a novel titled Nefes Nefes'e about the Turkish diplomats who saved in the lives of Jews during the holocaust in World War 2.

She has married twice, her latest novels Hayat and Huzun describe her life with her spouses, Mehmet Sarper and Eren Kemahli. Both ended in divorce but she bore 4 sons from the marriages.

(Information source:Wikipedia)

Visit Istandbul with Ayşe Kulin

Seacliff, a Regular Boy Within by Susan Tarr

Seacliff, a Regular Boy Within - by Susan Tarr

Genres: Based on a true story, history, family, New Zeeland, Susan Tarr
Format: Paperback, 330 pages
Publishing date: March 22nd 2013 by Ocean books
ISBN 9781272159 
Edition language: English
Purchase link: Ocean books, Wheelers 

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Wheeler book blurb: 
1926-54. When his mother died, Malcolm, at 6 years old, became one of the 'lost' children, those forgotten or abandoned by their families. He grew up mirroring many of the mannerisms of the other children, while knowing he was different from them. His young life was spent in SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Malcolm's story is of immeasurable sadness, when considering the tragedy and abuse of his wasted earlier life, and yet, with an admirable strength, courage and innate resilience, he ultimately rose above it all, and was able to 'free the regular boy within' as he had always wanted

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REVIEW: Malcolm lost everything in life when his mom died and his dad abandoned him at the train station. As trauma after trauma manifested in this young boy's life, his brain closed off this section when his memories became too much to handle. As a result he became more quiet and eventually stopped speaking altogether. He had to endure terrible odds to survive, but had the presence of mind to know what was actually happening with - and around him. He was admitted to the Seacliff Mental Hospital. It was also known as the Loony Bin or Booby Hatch, where "Malcolm gleaned that mad people shouldn’t speak. It only caused trouble and more work. They should sit and be quiet. Quietly mad. They lived in a world full of silent people in The Building – that’s what the hospital was called.

He suffered and witnessed the aftermath of experimental treatments, including the embarrassing concept of Eugenics, on people and at one point decided to take control of his own destiny by hiding his pills in his pocket seams and not drinking his medicines, in the hope of improving his memory, which was constantly destroyed by The Treatment. With all The Treatments they had to endure through the years, and all the medicines fed to them to calm them all down, some of the 'inmates' lost their mind altogether. A little voice in him encouraged him to fight back in his own silent way.

Seacliff Mental Hospital

The book is not only a commemoration of the historical building, Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in New Zealand, but also a detailed description of the lives and characters who graced it with their presence as either the 'rejects' of society, or the staff who worked there for many years. The characters are so endearing, I almost felt like going to them and saying "I am so sorry society treated you this way".

The story winds through the historical facts with ease and a gripping tale is introduced to the reader. The tale is very well written.

This book reminds me of the movie "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest", which also had me laughing and crying like this book. Eventually Malcolm's spirit would triumph and in his case it became a celebration, after confirmation, of hope which never died:

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." --(Movie quote from: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Andy Defresne (Tim Robbins)

What an amazing story!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Visit Susan Tarr's Facebook page 

Susan Tarr has been writing for 25 years. The author started writing when she lived in Kenya, far away from home, writing letters to her mom about her daily life and adventurous experiences in this African mileu. She decided to turn it into a book.

The stories in "SEACLIFF: A Regular Boy Within" have been blended from recollections of what probably did happen during the book's setting. She worked in Mental Health, Govenrnment Printing, Education Board and Social Welfare before sailing to Kenya, where she raised her family. While she always has a book or two on the go, she is also busy proofreading for others. Her favorite genres for writing are historical fiction and romantic comedies.

She draws her characters and inspiration from personal experience and other peoples’ anecdotal stories. Her characters take on a life of their own, becoming larger than life. Various stories in this historical fictional taleSeacliff , have been blended from recollections of what probably did happen during the book’s setting. To protect those people still living, changes were made where necessary, but the the dates, places, and names are otherwise correct.

FROM THE AUTHOR: "As a child, I knew Malcolm, who was a gentle, intelligent man. Dad often invited him to our home. We followed his compelling journey from childhood to adulthood, and even after he was discharged back into the community, where he married his sweetheart. This is Malcolm’s story! "

More info on Susan Tarr and her personal relationship to the book: Susan Tarr was raised in the community of Seacliff Village during the 50s. Young patients from the Seacliff Psychiatric Hospital often attended her little primary school. Once they turned fifteen the children worked up at the hospital helping in the canteen, laundry, wards or Occupational Therapy. Most of her family worked at the hospital at some time. From a young age, they absorbed stories; it was difficult to know where the truth ended and fiction took over. 

To separate the two at this stage would be an impossible task as many have died, so Tarr has blended various stories in this narrative based on her family's and friends' combined belief of what probably did happen during the period this narrative covers. Where possible she has used correct dates, places and names. Where there is doubt, in her mind, she has changed the names and details to protect those still living.

As a child, she knew Malcolm, who was a young man by then, since her father often invited him home for meals. He was one of the 'lost' children, those forgotten or abandoned by their families. Tarr followed his story from childhood to adulthood even after he was discharged back into the community. Malcolm's story is of immeasurable sadness, when considering the tragedy and abuse of his wasted earlier life, and yet, with an admirable strength, courage and innate resilience, he ultimately rose above it all, and was able to free the regular boy within.