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WINNER OF THE 2021 PRIX FEMINA FOR BEST FOREIGN NOVEL
The third volume of the internationally acclaimed Ottoman Quartet, written by Ahmet Altan while he was imprisoned by the Turkish regime
This masterly constructed, sweeping novel centers on the story of Nizam’s tormented love affair with a Russian pianist, Anya, and is told against the backdrop of the Ottoman Empire’s tumultuous history in the years leading up to WWI.
Underlying the novel’s tale of war and love and Altan’s absorbing exploration of the inner lives of a vast cast of characters, is a fierce criticism of masculinity and of its degeneration into violence against women, nationalism, and authoritarianism.
Once again, Altan confirms to be an elegant, powerful, and courageous writer, who is not afraid to denounce an arrogant and undemocratic government that, today as a century ago, relies on bigotry, censorship, and intimidation to cling to power and control the lives of its people.
Praise for Love in the Days of Rebellion
“Altan’s lush swirl of intrigue and speculation is filtered through the consciousness of a reclusive modern-day citizen of Istanbul, holed up in his grandfather’s decaying mansion, channeling the stories of his ancestors and those who surrounded them.”—The New York Times
“In Altan’s world, love comes with loss, happiness is the cause of unhappiness, divorce can yield friendship, honor and conviction are conjoined with infidelity, error and uncertainty; there are always choices to be made [ . . . ] Love in the Days of Rebellion is atmospheric, hypnotic, inevitable, and sad, or perhaps triste, as Hikmet Bey would undoubtedly have put it.”—The Asian Review of Books
“This book is just as piercing as the first in the series and readers would be well served by reading that one first. An ambitious and intelligent thriller about love and war.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Sweeping and superbly written, Love in the Days of Rebellion sheds light on one of the most painful and overlooked chapters of Ottoman history, perfectly combining literature and historiography.”—Medioriente e dintorni
“The entire novel radiates with extreme beauty.”—Critica Letteraria
Praise for Ahmet Altan
“Ahmet Altan is one of the foremost voices in Turkish literature and has much to say to the world.”—Elif Shafak, author of The Bastard of Istanbul and Three Daughters of Eve
“The period details are abundant and accurate; [...] and turn-of-the-century Istanbul, both beautiful and corrupt, comes vividly to life.”—Wendy Smith, Publishers Weekly on Like a Sword Wound
★ “Existential questions perfectly blended with atmosphere and rat-a-tat prose; highly recommended.”—Library Journal (Starred Review) on Endgame
“Although it offers an implicit critique of Turkey’s corrupt justice system, Endgame is also comic and charmingly absurd, largely due to the reckless efforts of its characters to get even.”—The Washington Post on Endgame