The bastard of Istanbul

Beneath the veneer of a quirky family novel lies a very daring and important political statement which placed the author of  "The Bastard of Istanbul" at loggerheads with a wide range of dogmatic voices in her native Turkey. "The Bastard of Istanbul" is a refreshing comedy that can be enjoyed on diverse levels, whether or not one is interested in the crossroads city of Istanbul. Shafak's mastery of the English language is matched by her deftness as a caricaturist to put into proper perspective the targets of her political satire.