Bliss: A Novel

By O.Z. Livaneli and Zülfü Livaneli

Book Overview

Meryem, a fifteen-year-old girl, lives in a rural village on the shores of Lake Van in Eastern Turkey. Her simple life changes dramatically after her uncle, a sheikh in a dervish order, rapes her. She is considered an outcast for shaming her family. When she is locked in a shed and left alone for days, she comes to the painful realization that her family expects her to hang herself with a length of rope left on the dirt floor. But she is defiant. As tradition still has it, a judgment must be made in the name of honor. She is told she is to be taken to Istanbul, a shining city she envisions being just over the nearest mountain. Many girls from her village have "gone to Istanbul," and she assumes it must be a wonderful place since not one has returned. In fact, those girls have been the victims of "honor-killings." Cemal, Meryem's cousin, a commando in the army, has been fighting in the mountains against the rebels. On his return home, he is welcomed as a hero though he has been severely traumatized by his war experiences. His father, who had violated Meryem, charges Cemal with the task of executing his cousin's punishment. As he and Mereym begin their journey, they proceed through the marketplace where the townspeople have gathered, some weeping and others mocking her. In Istanbul, a Harvard-educated professor named Irfan lives an elite existence. He has published many books, hosts a radio show, and seems to enjoy success and jet-set freedom. He revolts against the routine of his soulless life, deciding to leave his wealthy wife and Istanbul. He charters a boat to sail the Aegean . By coincidence, his path crosses with that of Meryem and Cemal. They embark on a journey together that fills their hearts with hope and sets them free. Already an international bestseller, this lyrical and moving tale juxtaposes the traditional and modern and draws attention to human rights violations against women in the Middle East.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312360533
• ISBN13: 9780312360535
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.1" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

An important and accurate portrait of Turkey

I am currently an expat living in Turkey with my Turkish husband and his family. For many years I have been interested in Turkish literature and this book is not only a great example of Turkish literary style, it is also the most accurate depiction of the strong social divide between city and village, educated and uneducated, rich and poor, available to the English speaking world. Livaneli offers a photorealistic portrait that is incredibly important for the world to see. Most importantly, the translation is exceptional. Turkish and English are at opposite ends of the language spectrum and therefore it is incredibly difficult to get an accurate translation. However, this translation has been brilliantly done and the lyrical style of the original has held true. I recommend this book highly.

The Guilts

You may have great faults when you are born: If you are a girl, if you are born in eastern Anatolia and if you are beautiful, you are guilty... The traditions mostly unfamiliar to even many of the Turkish people are reflected in a novel, unfortunately true for some people. Also the contraversies of the lives of different people are reflected. On the other hand the end of the novel is the real "story". It is not possible for Meryem to start an acceptable life under these circumstances. I think the author preferred to give at least some hope to Meryem and to the reader...

A glimpse into a changing world..

With his genius Livaneli has opened a window to the world that is becoming more and more puzzling for the West. He created three strong characters representing the three layers of Turkish society, the innocent, the ignorant and the intellectual, all lost and confused in their own way, looking to find happiness and self-acceptance. I highly recommend it.

An unforgetable book!

I read "Bliss" first in 2002 from the original language it's written, Turkish. I was mesmerized by it, touched my heart, my soul. Ever since, I read it over and over again and I have been waiting for it to be translated into English so I can share this wonderful book with my friends, and everybody I know and do not know. An excellent translation! If you read a book a year, this should be your "only" one. BLISS is a deeper look into human soul. A universal search for happiness. The characters are so vivid, you can see them, feel them, be them. Universal in the sense of soul searching, but also gives an accurate and great overall picture of Turkey today.

Nick Porcaro

This is a book that has many layers of associations and messages. The subject of honor killing is certainly important enough and Livaneli has the courage to expose this albeit remote disgraceful practice in eastern Turkey for what it is. However, the liberation of women, the complex head covering issue and the loss of values so prevalent in burgeoning upper middle class of the big cities of Turkey is brought together through authors' artistry and skillful character development and juxtaposition. Unfortunately this painfully misunderstood country may suffer even more in the eyes of its western readers by this subject matter but that in itself is a testamony of its accelerating progress.