by Elif Şafak
First published 2007
In the heart of Istanbul, Asya's sheltered world is upended when an American named Armanoush arrives, seeking to uncover a long-buried family secret. As the two women's lives become intertwined, they must confront the complex ties that bind them, from the legacy of a tragic past to the reverberating effects of Turkey's political turmoil. With vivid prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, this novel explores the power of identity, the burden of history, and the universal need for belonging.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, identity
Setting: Istanbul, Turkey
Period: 21st-century
368 pages · Paperback · PENGUIN