Without a Country

By: Ayşe Kulin, Kenneth Dakan - translator

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati

From the international bestselling author of Last Train to Istanbul comes a novel based on true events that explores the depths of pride, devotion, and persistence as four generations of a family struggle to forge their destinies.

As Hitler’s reign of terror begins to loom large over Germany, Gerhard and Elsa Schliemann - like other German Jews - must flee with their children in search of sanctuary. But life elsewhere in Europe offers few opportunities for medical professor Gerhard and his fellow scientists. Then they discover an unexpected haven in Turkey, where universities and hospitals welcome them as valuable assets.

But despite embracing their adopted land, personal and political troubles persist. Military coups bring unrest and uncertainty to the country, intermarriage challenges the cultural identity of Gerhard and Elsa’s descendants, and anti-Semitism once again threatens their future in the place they call home.

From World War II to the age of social media, one family’s generations find their way through love and loss, sacrifice and salvation, tragedy and triumph - with knowledge hard won and passion heartfelt.

©2018 Ayse Kulin (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation ©2018 by Kenneth Dakan.

Beautiful, touching and real

How she brought to life generation after generation and captured the heart of every character is a literary success. I feel part ot their family. Beautiful!

New information

Well written, new information. I always like learning from a book. The genre is historical fiction. The only thing I found structurally weak was towards the end, when time periods kept jumping around.

Thought provoking, warm,

The story brings to light the social and political issues that still continue. The strong family thread is well defined. I enjoyed this book.

Learned a lot about Turkey after WW2

Good historical fiction. Interesting characters. A lot of Turkish culture and what the people were like Highly recommend this book The narrator had the accents down perfect. I will read more from this author

History with a touch of Love

This book was wonderful. I learned about the history of Turkey while hearing a wonderful love story through many generations.

Wonderful story of living in a different coutry

A well written and sensitive story of settling in a new country and having to deal with prejudices and discrimination for which you can't be responsible.

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this generational story and all of the history as well. Great choice of narrator. also.

"colour and flavor get lost"

this quote from a review by Carlo Pizzati that explains my pov precisely. it seemed promising- the premise interesting, but after 24 chapters, I gave up. performance: disappointing. terrible contrived voice mimicking the child voice of main character Suzi, which unfortunately continues into Suzi's adulthood. Listen only if you are ultra-interested in poorly related history, or are easily entertained.

Should have been better

The only part that was entertaining was the escape from Germany. After that it was hours of boredom.