At the Breakfast Table

At the Breakfast Table is a story of hidden histories and family secrets, told from four different perspectives, and is written by the author of The Silence of Scheherazade. It is about a famous artist Shirin Saka's 100th birthday, where her grandchildren, Nur, Fikret, and Celine invite family friend and investigative journalist Burak to interview her in celebration of her centenary and in the hope of persuading her to open up. Shirin begins to express her pain by painting a story onto her dining room wall, revealing a history wiped from public consciousness and generations of her family's history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

At the Breakfast Table is a captivating story that delves into the depths of hidden histories and family secrets, penned by the acclaimed author of The Silence of Scheherazade. Set in Buyukada, Turkey, in the enchanting glow of a late summer morning, the family gathers to celebrate the 100th birthday of the renowned artist Shirin Saka. It is a moment meant to be filled with fond reminiscence, reflecting on a long and illustrious artistic career that spans nearly a century. However, beneath the surface of this celebratory occasion lies a deep secret that Shirin has spent a lifetime carefully concealing. Her grandchildren, Nur and Fikret, as well as her great-grandchild, Celine, are all aware of the psychological consequences of this secret, yet they remain in the dark about its true nature. In an effort to unravel the mysteries and shed light on the past, the siblings invite their family friend and investigative journalist Burak to join them for an interview. Their intention is to celebrate Shirin's centenary and to persuade her to open up, hoping that through this conversation, they can gain a deeper understanding of her and the family's history. As the interview progresses, Shirin begins to express her pain in a unique and powerful way. She paints a captivating story onto her dining room wall, revealing a history that has been wiped from public consciousness and generations of her family's history. The narrative is fierce, intelligent, finely textured, and achingly beautiful, drawing the reader into a world of hidden truths and untold stories. Through the four distinct perspectives offered in this novel, Elif Shafak weaves a intricate tapestry that explores the complexities of family relationships, the power of storytelling, and the enduring impact of secrets. At the Breakfast Table is a testament to Shafak's talent as a writer, offering a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800247024