Love in the Days of Rebellion

The Ottoman Quartet's second installment, Like A Sword Wound, follows the characters introduced in the first volume as they navigate the crisis of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The novel explores tortured love affairs, political intrigue, power struggles, and social upheavals, leading up to the countercoup of 1909. Through vivid storytelling, Altan evokes the traumas and upheavals of Ottoman history, resonating in the tensions and contradictions of modern-day Turkey.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

The Ottoman Quartet, a remarkable saga of Turkish history penned by Ahmet Altan, continues its captivating journey with the second installment, aptly titled Like A Sword Wound. Building upon the rich and diverse cast of characters introduced in the first volume, the novel intricately weaves together a tapestry of tortured love affairs, political intrigue, power struggles, and social upheavals, creating a powerful and vivid portrayal of the crisis that engulfed the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.

The second installment of the Ottoman Quartet begins with the attempted suicide of Hikmet Bey, the son of the sultans personal physician. Driven by an overwhelming desire to forget the beautiful and proud Mehpare Hanım, his wife, and the source of his enduring suffering, Hikmet takes drastic measures to end his life. As he recovers in a hospital in Thessaloniki, slowly regaining his strength and will to live, profound changes unfold in the Ottoman capital. The power of the sultan is eroding, a rebellion is brewing, and violence erupts on the streets of Istanbul. It is the eve of one of the pivotal events that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Empire: the countercoup of 1909.

In his masterful storytelling, Altan vividly evokes the traumas and upheavals of Ottoman history, showcasing how, over a hundred years later, the events and wounds of that time continue to resonate in the tensions and contradictions of todays Turkey. Through his vivid prose and imaginative power, the author paints a profound portrait of a society grappling with its past while navigating the challenges of the present. The Ottoman Quartet is a testament to Altans exceptional talent as a historian and storyteller, offering readers a captivating and insightful journey into the rich tapestry of Turkish history.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 210 x 135 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787702479