Townie Books: Book Club – The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

Written by Elif Shafak, a prominent Turkish-British novelist, essayist, and activist born in 1971. She writes in both English and Turkish and is recognized as “Turkey’s leading female novelist”.

The narrative centers on two families across continents: the Kazancı women, a matriarchal clan in Istanbul, and the Tchakhmakhchian family in the United States—Armenian diasporans.

At the core are Asya, a rebellious 19-year-old Turkish girl unaware of her father’s identity, and Armanoush (also called Amy), her Armenian-American namesake seeking her ancestral roots in Istanbul.

Their unexpected meeting in Istanbul brings to light long-buried secrets and explores the burden of hidden family histories.

The novel intertwines personal stories with grander historical themes—especially the Armenian Genocide of 1915—and reflects on cultural memory and identity.

The novel’s frank engagement with the Armenian Genocide provoked legal action under Turkey’s Article 301 (“insulting Turkishness”)—Shafak was tried but ultimately acquitted in 2006.