Death in Babylon, Love in İstanbul by İskender Pala
Death in Babylon, Love in İstanbul is the first novel by İskender Pala’s to be translated into English. It originally published as Babil'de Ölüm İstanbul'da Aşk. Written in personification, this book describes the story of Layla & Majnun (L&M) in a way that is far different from the general version and traverses the history of various countries in the span of hundreds of years.
The story starts with the fact that a strawberry becomes paper on the shores of the Tigris. From there, Fuzuli buys the papers and writes his immortal work L&M. This novel bears a superficial resemblance to “The Da Vinci Code”. It depicts an ancient mystery hidden in the narrative of a book, which is passed round from hand to hand, and travels throughout the old city of Babylon, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe (Baghdad, İstanbul, Vatican, Paris, and London). During this time, Babylonian Society members, spies, scholars, thieves and treasure hunters are after the passwords that Fuzuli masterfully concealed in the couplets of the book. Members of the Babylonian Society are looking for the codes, treasure hunters are looking for the codes that will lead them to the Babylonian Deity Statues and gold, and sleuths are looking for the book itself. While reading this book, you are both trying to solve the mystery and tasting that pure ‘love’ between the lines. I really liked that this book looked so simple but actually had a deep and multi-layered structure. Somehow, there are long sentences that are unnecessarily extended in some sections.
Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini
This is the second illustrated book i’ve read. Khaled Hosseini's sentimental words and Dan Williams’ stunning illustrations are heartbreaking. Sea Prayer was inspired by the haunting image of young Alan Kurdi, a 3 years old Syrian boy who believed to have drowned during his family’s attempts to flee their country. The remembrances of better times, reflections of a country once utterly beautiful but now devastated by war and the resulting effects, words that a young boy might not understand now but might appreciate later.
The book is less than 50 pages but it can make your eyes wet. We don’t usually take the time to think about what families go through when they leave a home that is no longer welcome. We don't think about their fears, their unwilling memories, the dangers they encountered along the way.
This book is quite different from his other previous works. You should give this book a try!
The Rock of Tanios by Amin Maalouf
The Rock of Tanios originally written in French as Le Rocher de Tanios, but I read it in Indonesian version. The translations sometimes lack the original expressions honestly:( so I checked the English version while reading it. Set in the first half of the 19th century Lebanon, Tanios’ story is told against a backdrop of upheaval caused by fighting between the Egyptians and the Turks, both trying to gain control of the area, local fighting between the Druzes and the Catholics (i guess the Maronites), and interference from England and France.
In the beginning of story, it explains that Sheik Francis’ addiction of woman and Lamia (mother of Tanios). Negative events start together with Tanios’ born. This book traces the birth and journey of Tanios, as well as the horrible consequences befalling his mountainous village, Kfaryabda. Maalouf masterly weaves the story with fictional and historical element, giving it a legendary connotation. By the end of the book, you believe his journey and you relate to him. If you are aware of Lebanon’s history, then this book will be even more familiar. The whole story felt so realistic. I loved the storytelling quality of this book. It is a cross between historical fiction and a tale. Although it is the tale of Tanios, one story after another unfolds when describing the other characters. The book is quick to read yet you want to savor the story and take your time.
images source: amazon, mizan
