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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just love this author, she writes such compelling stories. This novel sees the protagonist, Melike, delving into a mysterious family past she knew nothing about, travelling from Istanbul to Athens and on to Cyprus to uncover family roots she didn’t know existed. Melike is married and successful but somewhat unsatisfied with her life, when Petro shows up under the guise of being a producer scouting locations in Istanbul. Really, he was sent by the father she hasn’t seen in over 30 years, who abandoned her and her family when she was 11. The family mystery is an interesting one and beyond that, one thing I have consistently admired in Defne Sunam’s writings is the rich details evoking the Turkish background - the descriptions of food in particular are numerous and stimulate the senses in a way that give you a real feel of the time and place.
My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Head of Zeus, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Head of Zeus, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book Review: Summer Heat by Defne Suman
Rating: 3 Star
I recently finished Summer Heat by Defne Suman, and it left me with mixed feelings. The book has a stunning cover that immediately caught my eye, but unfortunately, the story itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The novel follows Melike, a seemingly content art historian living in Istanbul with a lovely home and a caring husband. However, beneath the surface, she’s been indulging in a series of affairs, seeking the excitement that her life seems to lack. As she approaches her fortieth birthday, Melike decides it’s time to put an end to her reckless behavior. But just when she thinks she can turn over a new leaf, she receives an email from a man named Petro, asking for a tour of the city’s Byzantine churches. Despite her better judgment, she agrees to meet him.
From the moment Melike encounters Petro and his charming demeanor, it’s clear that things are about to get complicated. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Petro harbors his own secrets that not only threaten Melike’s future but also challenge everything she thought she knew about her past. The story oscillates between 2003 and the backdrop of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, adding layers of historical significance to Melike's personal journey.
Now, while I appreciated the beautiful writing and the vivid setting of Istanbul, I have to admit that I struggled to get into the book. The pacing felt a bit slow for my taste, and there were moments when I found myself bored. I really wanted to connect with Melike's journey and feel the tension of her secrets unraveling, but it just didn’t grab me like I hoped it would.
I know that not every book resonates with every reader, and while Summer Heat has its merits, it simply wasn’t my cup of tea. If you're someone who enjoys lush prose and intricate character studies at a leisurely pace, you might find more joy in this story than I did. For me, though, it was a solid three-star read—beautiful on the outside but lacking a bit of excitement on the inside.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 3 Star
I recently finished Summer Heat by Defne Suman, and it left me with mixed feelings. The book has a stunning cover that immediately caught my eye, but unfortunately, the story itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The novel follows Melike, a seemingly content art historian living in Istanbul with a lovely home and a caring husband. However, beneath the surface, she’s been indulging in a series of affairs, seeking the excitement that her life seems to lack. As she approaches her fortieth birthday, Melike decides it’s time to put an end to her reckless behavior. But just when she thinks she can turn over a new leaf, she receives an email from a man named Petro, asking for a tour of the city’s Byzantine churches. Despite her better judgment, she agrees to meet him.
From the moment Melike encounters Petro and his charming demeanor, it’s clear that things are about to get complicated. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Petro harbors his own secrets that not only threaten Melike’s future but also challenge everything she thought she knew about her past. The story oscillates between 2003 and the backdrop of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, adding layers of historical significance to Melike's personal journey.
Now, while I appreciated the beautiful writing and the vivid setting of Istanbul, I have to admit that I struggled to get into the book. The pacing felt a bit slow for my taste, and there were moments when I found myself bored. I really wanted to connect with Melike's journey and feel the tension of her secrets unraveling, but it just didn’t grab me like I hoped it would.
I know that not every book resonates with every reader, and while Summer Heat has its merits, it simply wasn’t my cup of tea. If you're someone who enjoys lush prose and intricate character studies at a leisurely pace, you might find more joy in this story than I did. For me, though, it was a solid three-star read—beautiful on the outside but lacking a bit of excitement on the inside.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
As the title suggests, Summer Heat is a sultry, sun-soaked novel set in Turkey, just made for dipping between dips in the sea. It features all the typical elements of a beach read: scorched flagstones, salty skin, drowsy sunset dinners, an illicit affair (salacious references aplenty), and drama.
Our story follows Melike, a Turkish woman in her forties who seemingly has it all: a beautiful home in Istanbul, a career as an art historian, and an attentive husband. However, this just can’t satiate her craving for acknowledgement and acceptance, a craving rooted in childhood abandonment, of which we gain glimpses through her memories.
Having already had several affairs, Melike is about to embark on another, unaware that this will unearth revelations that will force her into confronting her turbulent family history and the tragic influence the 1970s Aegean dispute played in it.
As Melike delves into her past, there are flashbacks to 1974, the year of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which serves as a catalyst for the disintegration of Melike’s family.
Melike’s journey of truth takes her from Istanbul to Buyukada, Athens, and eventually Cyprus. The descriptions and vivid sense of place are a wonderful distraction from the cooler months we are headed for.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the Turkish/Cypriot socio-political backdrop and the fabulous yet flawed female characters throughout.
Melike’s wandering eye may be a symptom of a deeply embedded insecurity, but it also reflects her willingness to defy societal expectations and pursue her desires.
Summer Heat is another highly atmospheric and compelling read from Defne Suman. 4⭐
Thank you to the publishers for kindly providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley in return for an, as always, honest review.
Our story follows Melike, a Turkish woman in her forties who seemingly has it all: a beautiful home in Istanbul, a career as an art historian, and an attentive husband. However, this just can’t satiate her craving for acknowledgement and acceptance, a craving rooted in childhood abandonment, of which we gain glimpses through her memories.
Having already had several affairs, Melike is about to embark on another, unaware that this will unearth revelations that will force her into confronting her turbulent family history and the tragic influence the 1970s Aegean dispute played in it.
As Melike delves into her past, there are flashbacks to 1974, the year of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which serves as a catalyst for the disintegration of Melike’s family.
Melike’s journey of truth takes her from Istanbul to Buyukada, Athens, and eventually Cyprus. The descriptions and vivid sense of place are a wonderful distraction from the cooler months we are headed for.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the Turkish/Cypriot socio-political backdrop and the fabulous yet flawed female characters throughout.
Melike’s wandering eye may be a symptom of a deeply embedded insecurity, but it also reflects her willingness to defy societal expectations and pursue her desires.
Summer Heat is another highly atmospheric and compelling read from Defne Suman. 4⭐
Thank you to the publishers for kindly providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley in return for an, as always, honest review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Defne Suman like nobody else writes about horrible and difficult things with such warmth and care, that you don´t want to stop reading her stories.
Summer Heat is not a fun read. It´s about people unwillingly entangled in a cruel history vortex. Turkey never liked Christians or any other infidels. The last hundred and fifty years are marked by blood. The Ottoman Empire had a mission of spreading Islam far and wide. When they failed to conquer Europe, they continued their mission closer to home. They slaughtered over a million people, which is known today as the Pontic Genocide. This didn´t end there, the systematic harassment, discrimination and occasional violence keeps continuing today. Do you know why Cyprus is divided in half? How did it happen? I knew something, but not a lot. This book clarified the matter. Just remember that this is a work of fiction, not a historical account.
When history happens, when big guys quarrel between themselves (tsars, kings, sultans etc) it´s the ordinary people who suffer the most. Always. When two very different cultures clash there are no victors, only losers and victims. Defne writes about suffering. Because people in Turkey and their neighbors have been suffering for centuries. This affects generations of people who cannot overcome their trauma.
So we see the turbulent history of one particular family. They are Greek Christians, which means they´re a very unwanted part of society. Three generations of this family have been affected by the history and cultural conflict, but each in a different way. Every person seems to be having a secret, a shadowy episode in the past. Everyone loved and lost. The dynamics between family members are troublesome. Nothing is clear. There is a lot of love but it´s very difficult, broken love. It´s this type of bond, that requires a lot of care and patience to be repaired. But what if someone doesn´t care enough?
The most enjoyable part of this book is the historical aspect of the conflict. The family's story is touching and well-presented. However, Melike, the main character, and the youngest family member is somehow frustrating. Her emotional and irrational behavior and inner thoughts don´t make her very likeable. Maybe Defne has made her character this way on purpose, to show that even though Melike never experienced personally any violence, she is still affected by her family's trauma. This is why she is the way she is.
Let´s look at this story as a warning. The fighters of Islam aren´t friendly. Two years ago 50 people died in a fire of the Coptic Church in Egypt. The firefighters weren´t in a rush to come over and help despite being only two blocks away. Last year we saw another ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, a land taken from Armenia by Azerbaijan. Armenia and Georgia are the only Christian countries in the region and they don´t have any allies around. There are countless examples. Thank goodness we have Defne who tells the world about crimes committed by Turkey. This is a part of history that today's Turkiye desperately tries to erase.
Summer Heat is not a fun read. It´s about people unwillingly entangled in a cruel history vortex. Turkey never liked Christians or any other infidels. The last hundred and fifty years are marked by blood. The Ottoman Empire had a mission of spreading Islam far and wide. When they failed to conquer Europe, they continued their mission closer to home. They slaughtered over a million people, which is known today as the Pontic Genocide. This didn´t end there, the systematic harassment, discrimination and occasional violence keeps continuing today. Do you know why Cyprus is divided in half? How did it happen? I knew something, but not a lot. This book clarified the matter. Just remember that this is a work of fiction, not a historical account.
When history happens, when big guys quarrel between themselves (tsars, kings, sultans etc) it´s the ordinary people who suffer the most. Always. When two very different cultures clash there are no victors, only losers and victims. Defne writes about suffering. Because people in Turkey and their neighbors have been suffering for centuries. This affects generations of people who cannot overcome their trauma.
So we see the turbulent history of one particular family. They are Greek Christians, which means they´re a very unwanted part of society. Three generations of this family have been affected by the history and cultural conflict, but each in a different way. Every person seems to be having a secret, a shadowy episode in the past. Everyone loved and lost. The dynamics between family members are troublesome. Nothing is clear. There is a lot of love but it´s very difficult, broken love. It´s this type of bond, that requires a lot of care and patience to be repaired. But what if someone doesn´t care enough?
The most enjoyable part of this book is the historical aspect of the conflict. The family's story is touching and well-presented. However, Melike, the main character, and the youngest family member is somehow frustrating. Her emotional and irrational behavior and inner thoughts don´t make her very likeable. Maybe Defne has made her character this way on purpose, to show that even though Melike never experienced personally any violence, she is still affected by her family's trauma. This is why she is the way she is.
Let´s look at this story as a warning. The fighters of Islam aren´t friendly. Two years ago 50 people died in a fire of the Coptic Church in Egypt. The firefighters weren´t in a rush to come over and help despite being only two blocks away. Last year we saw another ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, a land taken from Armenia by Azerbaijan. Armenia and Georgia are the only Christian countries in the region and they don´t have any allies around. There are countless examples. Thank goodness we have Defne who tells the world about crimes committed by Turkey. This is a part of history that today's Turkiye desperately tries to erase.
sad
slow-paced
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕥
By Defne Suman @defnesuman
Melike is a teenager. In 1974, living in Istanbul, Melike, can sense that things are changing with whispers of prison, invasion, and military coups. The family decides to relocate to the south. Then her dad disappears.
Jump to 2003 Melike meets a stranger called Petro, whom she had a connection with.
She meets with him despite her adoring husband at home and soon realises that Petro isn't who he says he is!
Travelling to Cyprus, Melike discovers the answers to her family untruths.
This story is about a woman trying to understand who she is and seeking knowledge from an estranged father that has many sad and upsetting secrets.
Some quotes I liked and have plucked from the book!
'A woman grows into her own story. She finds her story and discovers how to spread her wings and fly.'
'Your inner reservoir is your memory, the treasure trove spiralling from one baby to the next, then uniting in another.'
'A person's existence had meaning, not in itself but in the connections they forge.'
These quotes are about connections, love, family, and discovery of one's self! I found Melike quite a selfish character, and she could have been a little warmer!
⚠️ Trigger warning
Rape, brutal bodily harm
I'm afraid this is only a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me 🤓
By Defne Suman @defnesuman
Melike is a teenager. In 1974, living in Istanbul, Melike, can sense that things are changing with whispers of prison, invasion, and military coups. The family decides to relocate to the south. Then her dad disappears.
Jump to 2003 Melike meets a stranger called Petro, whom she had a connection with.
She meets with him despite her adoring husband at home and soon realises that Petro isn't who he says he is!
Travelling to Cyprus, Melike discovers the answers to her family untruths.
This story is about a woman trying to understand who she is and seeking knowledge from an estranged father that has many sad and upsetting secrets.
Some quotes I liked and have plucked from the book!
'A woman grows into her own story. She finds her story and discovers how to spread her wings and fly.'
'Your inner reservoir is your memory, the treasure trove spiralling from one baby to the next, then uniting in another.'
'A person's existence had meaning, not in itself but in the connections they forge.'
These quotes are about connections, love, family, and discovery of one's self! I found Melike quite a selfish character, and she could have been a little warmer!
⚠️ Trigger warning
Rape, brutal bodily harm
I'm afraid this is only a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me 🤓
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes