The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak- A Review

Elif Shafak is a well renown Turkish author. Her works span from politics to history to fiction to drama and much more. This book, “The Bastard of Istanbul,” is one of her older books, and the second of hers to be written in the English language.

In this book, Shafak introduces two families, an Armenian one living in diaspora in San Francisco, and a Turkish family based in Istanbul. They don’t know, but the two families are intimately intertwined through the marriage of a Turk- “Reza,” to his Armenian orphan child-wife “Shushan,” in the early 1920’s. Only Banu, through her clairvoyance and communication with her enslaved “Djinn” Jinn, has discovered the connections. Banu becomes witness to the murder and destruction of the Armenian community in the genocide of 1915 through the eyewitness account by one who has lived hundreds of years and seen the worst of humanity. The reader joins Bannu and the Jinn on this journey, visiting the past, the present, and years in between.

As I read this book, having born witness to an ongoing genocide in Palestine, and having born witness to the current demonization and terrorism of the “other” brown people to justify another “cleansing” of another society in the US, the similarities are eerie. First, there is the targeting of intellectuals by those in power. The first to be murdered in the Armenian community were the intellectuals. The writers. The doctors. The leaders of the community. Once the brains had been done away with, there was no one left to lead.

Then, came the families. Forced to march a death march, the old, the sick, the very young died off on the side of the road while the others were forced to march on. Death marches, concentration camps, unlawful imprisonment of hundreds, “disappearance,” rendition, torture… it goes on and on.

The demonization of the “other.” In the book, the Armenians are referred to as “rebels.”  They are blamed for destabilizing the nation. Blamed for being traitors. Rumored to have killed the Turks first. Thugs, terrorists, illegals, etc. Essential to be done away with for the success of the new Tukish nation. Their “removal” is somehow justified in the eyes of a power-greedy nation.

Denial. Modern Turks who describe the Armenian genocide as a “collective hysteria.” Ridiculous comments such as, “if there really was a genocide, why are there so many left?” The blame, “oh that was another government.” “That was before the modern Turkish state.” “That was the Ottomans.” Conveniently ignoring the fact that the current government continues to deny the Armenian genocide.

The book eloquently portrays the victimization of the survivors and the intergenerational trauma of the Armenian diaspora. Shushan is the matriarch, an elderly lady who holds onto her faith and culture in every corner of the home. She holds a deep secret of loss, a son she was forced to leave behind in Turkey- the ultimate price for her to be free… The diasporan family has a desire to stay together, to protect their language, beliefs. Their kids go to Armenian camps to learn the language, and Armenian food is cooked at home. Armaroush, the granddaughter, is named after the great grandmother who died during the death march. “Amy” is constantly under pressure to not read as much. It is better for her not to be so bright and educated. In their history, to survive, it is better not to be an intellectual. There is also a sense of intolerance. Amy’s mother is emotionally abused her husband’s Armenian family, as they constantly refer to her as an “oder” or outsider.  The marriage eventually ends with divorce, and resentment on both sides. In retaliation, Amy’s mother decides to date a Turk- knowing that would irk her ex’s family. The irony is that Turk will later be the reason that Amy braves a trip to Istanbul, to stay with his family and explore her history and roots in Turkey.

Elif Shafak has never been an author who minces her words or shies away from the difficult, uncomfortable realities of today and yesterday. Here, she addresses the question of retribution, “I’m sorry for what my ancestors did to your ancestors.”  Is it enough for there to be an apology from a granddaughter of one who witnessed a genocide? And how much does it mean, when the government itself refuses to acknowledge or provide any form of retribution?  Elif Shafak was prosecuted for “insulting Turkey” by publishing this book. Most importantly, for portraying the genocide as a fact rather than a questionable truth. 

Lastly, she addresses many of her usual themes. Through the characters and persona of the city, she describes the contradictions and struggles between the conservative and religious with the ultra secular and agnostic - classic for families in Istanbul. She mentiones LGBTQ in the fringes of society, violence and oppression against women. Incest, domestic violence harassment and cruelty are also protrayed. Love, in all its different forms.

This book is not an easy read, so take your time and give yourself some space to contemplate and digest. Totally recommend if you are like me, trying to make sense of all the injustices worldwide historically and through today.