Plot Summary

Honor

Elif Shafak
Guide cover image

Honor

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012

Book Brief

Elif Shafak

Honor

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, UK • 1970s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Honor by Elif Shafak traces the Toprak family across three generations, uncovering the roots of Iskender's tragic act of killing his mother, Pembe, in what is deemed an "honor killing." The novel, narrated by Esma, explores themes of patriarchy, cultural identity, and familial duty within Turkish Kurdish communities, balancing between tradition and modernity as family members navigate through life in Istanbul and London.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Emotional

Dark

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

23,205 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Elif Shafak's Honor is widely praised for its rich, evocative storytelling and complex, multi-dimensional characters. Readers appreciate the exploration of cultural identity and family dynamics. However, some find the intricate narrative structure and pacing challenging. Overall, it's a thought-provoking examination of honor and tradition, though it may demand careful reading.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Honor?

Readers who would enjoy Elif Shafak’s Honor are typically drawn to intricate familial dynamics, cultural conflicts, and feminist themes. Comparable to Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, they appreciate deep, emotional storytelling with rich character development and cultural introspection.

4.3

23,205 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, UK • 1970s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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