A novel from Turkey that won't leave me cold
Here's a bit from the second chapter of Selçuk Altun's Songs My Mother Never Taught Me:"Today your humble servant Bedirhan Öztürk is thirty-seven years old! Instead of buying myself a birthday present I've come to a crucial decision. God willing, I'm going to break away from the business I've undertaken so patiently for the last twelve years.I think I'll enjoy this novel's amiable tone. As a bonus, my alma mater gets a prominent mention in the third chapter.
"Please don't let the fact that I'm a hired killer alarm you. ...
"But retirement will come to pass, by the grace of God! Listening reverently to the evening ezan and eating my blessed pomegranate, I'll say my prayers and go to sleep, if you'll allow me. I'm sure that you've already begun to realize that your humble servant is no ordinary gun-toting operator."
© Peter Rozovsky 2009
Labels: Istanbul, Selçuk Altun, Turkey
posted by Peter Rozovsky at 3:07 AM
4 Comments:
A good beginning. I, too, am tempted by it. Can someone who speaks so politely and reverently be a hired killer? We'll see.
It transpires that he has taken an unusual path to his calling, as has his fellow narrator. I may have more to say on this book.
Yes, that's a great opening. And of course, there would have to be extenuating circumstances...
It's one of several fine openings in the novel. The chapters alternate between two narrators, each telling his own story, and the stories draw gradually together. All sorts of social and family and metaphysical issues pile up, but that genial tone predominates even the subject is not always pleasant.
It's a pleasure listening to these people talk, reading what they have to say.
Post a Comment
<< Home