Turkish writer born in southern Bulgaria, not too far from Smolyan during the last years of the Ottoman Empire. This book was published shortly before his death/murder in '48. Interesting in the same way that Tanpınar is interesting. It is interesting to the see the early writers of the new Turkish literature confronting and working with the genres and styles of Western literature. This novel reminds me of some of the romantic work published in France and Germany in the late 18th and early 19th century - tortured souls who feel alone and alienated, doomed romantic love. In this particular novel, with what is almost a reversal of traditional male and female roles, also represents some kind of a social revolution or challenge to traditional Turkish society of the time. Ali had some seminal experiences in Berlin apparently, some time before the war, that shaped his politics and social views. Seems he was a socialist and must have had very liberated social views around men's and women's roles in society.
Not a particularly enjoyable read for me, as I don't really like that "tortured soul" Western tradition or genre, but a very interesting read when place in its historical and social context.
Also found an article about him in the Guardian - seems this book is one of the most popular in Turkey right now. Interesting discussion of why.
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