Alain Raimbault, contributor of the group reading
20 minutes Books, recommend you Mrs Hayat of
Ahmet Altan, published on September 1, 2021 by Éditions Actes Sud.
Her favorite quote:
On the other hand, Madame Nermin’s words were making their way into my mind. I realized that I had never thought about the question of freedom. “Am I free? I suddenly wondered. The question seemed to pop up before my eyes like a giant billboard on a street corner. I was taken by surprise. Was the question so scary? “Am I free? It was the answer, more than the question, that scared me: “No, I’m not free.” Another question, even more cruel, then arose: “Will I ever be free?” “
Why this book?
- Because the total freedom of Madame Hayat, her irresistible charm, the mystery surrounding her past and her deliberate optimism make her a fascinating being. It looks like a character from a Zweig short story or a Kundera novel.
- Because Fazil lives a very complex and tormented sentimental education. The confusion of feelings is total with him, especially since he is not a model of fidelity.
- Because the author describes a country that is closing in from a religious and political point of view: Turkey. Lack of freedom of expression, haphazard justice, state corruption, arbitrary kidnappings. People are more and more afraid, they seek to flee the country or to make themselves invisible.
The essentials in 2 minutes
The plot. Fazil is a literature student. He finds a small job as a TV show. There, he meets Madame Hayat, an absolutely free and surprising woman with whom he will live an overwhelming relationship.
Characters. Fazil, the narrator, studying literature. Madame Hayat, Fazil’s lover. Sila, literature student, friend of Fazil.
Places. A city which is not named but which is Istanbul, in Turkey.
The time. Current era, beginning of the 21st century.
The author. Ahmet Altan is a well-known journalist in Turkey. He has published novels translated into several languages. Above all, he spent long years in prison, prison in which he wrote this novel and from which he finally came out last April.
This book was read with admiration for the great poetry that emanates from it, coupled with a scent of sadness.
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