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A review by caitthebookworm
Istanbul Crossing by Timothy Jay Smith
5.0
This was such a compelling and hard hitting read. My heart absolutely ached for Ahdaf and all the other refugees and gay men in this story. Even in a fictional story I know so many of the horrors they faced are based off of real events.
I loved the whole premise of a refugee helping others cross into Europe and hopefully start a new life. Reading about all the scenes in Leyla's cafe just took me back to my own time in the Middle East.
The fact that this book takes place over such a short period of time that feels like months but is not even two weeks is so interesting to me. It really emphasizes the quick turn arounds and how rapidly lives can be changes and disrupted.
I loved seeing the similarities and differences of Ahdaf's relationships between Kalam and Selim. I think in the end he made the right decision. His heart is so kind I truly think he did his best to always help everyone he could.
I loved the whole premise of a refugee helping others cross into Europe and hopefully start a new life. Reading about all the scenes in Leyla's cafe just took me back to my own time in the Middle East.
The fact that this book takes place over such a short period of time that feels like months but is not even two weeks is so interesting to me. It really emphasizes the quick turn arounds and how rapidly lives can be changes and disrupted.
I loved seeing the similarities and differences of Ahdaf's relationships between Kalam and Selim. I think in the end he made the right decision. His heart is so kind I truly think he did his best to always help everyone he could.