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366
Novel • Fiction
Istanbul, Turkey • 2000s
2006
Adult
18+ years
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak intricately links the lives of the Turkish Kazanci family and the Armenian-American Tchakhmakchian family through a series of historical and contemporary events, highlighting their complex and intertwined histories. The story revolves around Asya Kazanci and Armanoush Tchakhmakchian as they navigate their family secrets and cultural identities, ultimately confronting the painful legacy of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Topics include rape and genocide.
Emotional
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Contemplative
61,453 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak is praised for its rich, multi-generational storytelling, cultural depth, and vibrant character portrayals. Readers appreciate its exploration of identity and heritage. However, some find the narrative occasionally convoluted and feel that it grapples with too many themes at once. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and evocative read.
Readers who enjoy multigenerational family sagas, cultural exploration, and rich storytelling will be captivated by Elif Shafak’s The Bastard of Istanbul. Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner or Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits will appreciate its intricate plot and deep dive into themes of identity and heritage.
61,453 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Auntie Banu Kazanci
The eldest Kazanci sister, a soothsayer who leads a regimented life and is dedicated to her clairvoyant abilities, accepting only female clients. She has an enigmatic charm and is known for consulting with spirits, maintaining a maternal sensitivity towards her family.
Mustafa Kazanci
The only son in the Kazanci family, often doted upon, who moved to Tucson, Arizona to study. He is characterized by his sense of entitlement and struggles with his past and relations with his family.
Rose Tchakhmakchian Kazanci
An attractive woman with gold blond hair living in Tucson, recently divorced and remarried to Mustafa. She is protective of her daughter, Armanoush, and struggles with cultural and familial differences.
Armanoush Tchakhmakchian
A beautiful, intelligent young woman with a passion for fiction, who navigates the complexities of her Armenian-American heritage. She forms a significant friendship with Asya during her journey to Istanbul.
Asya Kazanci
A nineteen-year-old known for her frizzy sable hair, existentialist interests, and distaste for vulnerability, often referred to as "a bastard" due to her unknown father. She is close to her Armenian-American cousin, Armanoush, acting as a translator during her visit.
Grandma Shushan Kazanci Tchakhmakchian
Born Shushan Stamboulian, she survived the Armenian exile and became a matriarch in San Francisco. She maintained dignified authority within her extended family despite past hardships.
Petite-Ma
Asya Kazanci's great-grandmother, originally from Thessaloniki, who moved to Istanbul at a young age and married Riza Selim Kazanci. She was a talented pianist who lived with the Kazancis and suffered from dementia in her later years.
Grandma Gülsüm
The wife of Levent Kazanci, who doted on her only son, Mustafa, and experienced deep pain over his absence in Istanbul. She has a difficult relationship with her youngest daughter, Zeliha, due to their differing values.
366
Novel • Fiction
Istanbul, Turkey • 2000s
2006
Adult
18+ years
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