The Flea Palace Paperback – 1 June 2005
by
Elif Shafak
(Author),
Muge Gocek
(Translator)
The Flea Palace, a dilapidated block of flats in the center of Istanbul, is home to ten very different inhabitants. From flamboyant Ethel, the hairdresser twins Cemal and Celal, to the mysterious 'Blue Mistress', Shafak's world comes to life.
- Print length440 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date1 June 2005
- ISBN-100714531200
- ISBN-13978-0714531205
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Product description
About the Author
Elif Shafak, born 1971 in Strasbourg, spent her teenage years in Spain before returning to Turkey. She is an outstanding name amongst young Turkish authors, and has written four novels and won the Mevlana Prize for the best work in mystical and transcendental literature. She holds a masters degree in Women's Studies and is currently an Assistant professor at Tuscan University, Arizona.
Product details
- Language : English
- Paperback : 440 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0714531200
- ISBN-13 : 978-0714531205
- Customer reviews:
Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
98 global ratings
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Top reviews from other countries
Anita
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great writer.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 July 2023Verified Purchase
This is Elif Shafak's second book I've started, (I'm not letting myself finish off The Bastard of Istanbul TOO quickly) and I loved it. It started off a LITTLE slow, but then it picked up and I finished it in a day. Well worth it.
Anita
Reviewed in the United States on 25 July 2023
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Ms. Riane Revah
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent introduction to Turkish big city life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2011Verified Purchase
In search of an 'exotic' holiday destination not too far from the Europe with which I was familiar, I encouraged my husband to book a few days in Istanbul. We both wanted an insight into the people and culture before travelling: he started on Orhan Pamuk, whereas I began reading the Flea Palace. Shafak is a Turkish writer with a background in psychology, who has lived in the USA and Europe. She writes fluidly, with lyrical descriptions of the characters who live in the Flea Palace (Bonbon palace, an apartment block in the giant, overcrowded city that is modern-day Istanbul). The characters are introduced flat by flat; their personalities, hang-ups, frustrations and idiosyncracies examined with a fond, forgiving and sympathetic eye. The novel digresses into numerous story strands, knitted expertly together as the residents interact daily; in the 'palace' there is a pervasive, mystifying stench, a symbol of the decay all around. Just as you imagine this microcosm of a city will unravel, the pace increases, and I found I could not put the novel down, I wanted so much to find out what happened to all the residents. Our visit to Istanbul was enriched by our prior reading, so much so that I went once again last summer, taking my daughters with me. I ahve since read several novels by Shafak, and enjoyed them all.
23 people found this helpful
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Claudia Korn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mehrfamilienhaus in Istanbul
Reviewed in Germany on 14 April 2021Verified Purchase
Eine spannende Geschichte über ein Mehrfamilienhaus, in der viel über die vielen Mieter erzählt wird. Anfangs etwas langatmig, nimmt die Erzählung eine erstaunliche Wendung und ist zum Ende spannend.
E. Green
4.0 out of 5 stars
Translation PLEASE
Reviewed in the United States on 26 January 2010Verified Purchase
I really wish I could read this book in the original language. The lines and large phrases of thought are incredibly broad stroked and give a wonderful third dimension to the flow of the book. But there is a problem - the language (and perhaps the author would chide me on the use of the word here) is often grammatical stilted. Can someone get this woman a better translator? A jewel of a thinker and a brilliant intellect.
2 people found this helpful
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