A review by margaret21
Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières

5.0

I was encouraged to read this book following our recent visit to Turkey. I'm so glad I did. It might be fiction, but it's strongly rooted in the early 20th century history of this region, giving an overview of the life and times of Kamal Ataturk, and the bloody, tempestuous history of the former Ottoman Empire and parts of the Balkans. The book centres on the lives of the inhabitants of Eskibahçe. We meet its Muslim and Christian inhabitants, living in neighbourly harmony together. There's Rustem Bey, their neighbourhood aristocrat; imams, priests, teachers, beggars,prostitutes, boys who grow up to be soldiers, girls who grow up to be wives, or soon-to-be-wives. We become rooted in the simple rhythms of life in this community. So when it all goes wrong, when war starts, we care. This is a disturbing but compulsively readable book which serves as a helpful and accessible introduction to 21st century Turkey, as well as being a wonderful story, with many skilfully interwoven threads.