Summer Heat

Summer Heat is a novel set in 1974 and 2003, exploring family secrets, tangled identities, and one woman's place in her country's devastating history.

Format: Paperback
Publication date: 09 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)

Vivid, evocative, and tender, Elif Shafak's novel Summer Heat delves into the depths of family secrets and the impact of political turmoil on one woman's life. Set against the backdrop of the Turkish army's occupation of Cyprus in 1974, the story follows Melike, a young woman who is forced to confront her family's hidden pasts and her own identity. Melike's family has always been secretive, burying their secrets deep like treasure. But when her father disappears, Melike is left to navigate a changing Istanbul and a new village in the south. She hopes that this new life will bring happiness, but her parents' urgent whispers about prison, invasion, and military coups hint at a darker reality. As Melike grows up, she becomes an art historian and marries a man who loves her. But despite her success, she feels a lingering discontent. When she meets Petro, a mysterious and handsome stranger, she feels her fortunes changing. But Petro is not who he says he is, and when Melike uncovers his true identity, she also lays bare a lifetime of hidden pasts. Summer Heat explores the complexities of family relationships, the tangled identities of individuals, and the impact of political turmoil on one woman's life. Through Melike's journey, Shafak highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Turkish army's occupation of Cyprus in 1974, a period of great turmoil and upheaval. The occupation left a lasting impact on the people of Cyprus, and Shafak's novel captures the emotional and psychological toll of this event. Melike's family is deeply affected by the occupation, and her father's disappearance leaves her feeling lost and alone. She is forced to confront her family's secrets and her own identity, and she struggles to find a place in her country's devastating history. Melike's journey takes her to different parts of Turkey, including Istanbul and the south. She meets a variety of characters, each with their own unique story and perspective on the occupation. Through her interactions with these characters, Melike begins to understand the complexities of the conflict and the different ways in which people have been affected. Summer Heat is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the impact of political turmoil on one woman's life. Shafak's writing is vivid and evocative, and her characters are deeply relatable. The novel is a reminder of the importance of family, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. In conclusion, Summer Heat is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the impact of political turmoil on one woman's life. Set against the backdrop of the Turkish army's occupation of Cyprus in 1974, the story follows Melike as she confronts her family's hidden pasts and her own identity. Through her journey, Shafak highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, and the human experience.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 228 x 149 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781035902309