The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

🌸 The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak – Paperback Edition

A richly layered tale of memory, identity, and the secrets that shape us.

In this internationally acclaimed novel, Elif Shafak explores the silences and wounds of a nation through the lives of unforgettable women. Set between Istanbul and Arizona, The Bastard of Istanbul tells the story of Asya Kazancı, a rebellious 19-year-old who lives with her eccentric aunts in a multigenerational household in Istanbul. Asya is a philosophy lover who worships Johnny Cash — and harbors questions about her own identity.

Her life collides with Armanoush, a young Armenian-American who secretly travels to Istanbul to uncover her family’s past — a past haunted by the Armenian genocide of 1915. When Armanoush enters the chaotic, colorful Kazancı home, old secrets rise to the surface, linking both families in unexpected and heart-wrenching ways.

Shafak weaves a mesmerizing narrative that bravely confronts Turkey’s turbulent history, combining humor, mysticism, and deep emotional insight. A story of womanhood, cultural legacy, intergenerational trauma, and the power of storytelling itself.

📘 What You’ll Experience:

• A bold confrontation with historical silence

• Istanbul’s culture through the lens of vibrant female characters

• The intersection of East and West, tradition and rebellion

• A moving exploration of Armenian-Turkish history

📖 Product Details:

• Format: Paperback

• Language: English
  

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Cultural Identity

• Perfect for: Lovers of international literature, family sagas, and literary fiction

🔖 “A book that gives voice to generations of women — and the histories they carry in silence.” — The Guardian