I'd actually give this book a 2.5. I liked the idea for the story. It was interesting to read about WW2 from the point of view of a country that wasn't an axis or ally. It was a little strange to read about how the Turkish government so adamantly protected their Jewish expats when just a generation earlier the Ottoman rule perpetrated the Armenian genocide (which Turkey has yet to officially recognize as such). Anyway,there wasn't a lot of drama or action in this book. There were several characters who served no purpose in the story. There also wasn't much that really attached you to the characters so it was impossible to be emotionally invested in what they were going through. While I can’t say I enjoyed every minute of this book, I’m glad I read it. The reasons I tend to not watch movies or read books about WWII and the persecution of Jews is because it makes me angry. Angry over what happen to millions of people and that for most of the war the world turned a blind eye to Germany and their attempt to erase an entire people from the earth. I have very strong opinions about Germany and how I feel they should be regarded, I will try to rope them in for this review.This book is simply a beautifully told story the chronicles the actions that several Turkish diplomats took to save not only Jewish Turks, but Jews of many nationalities from the grasp of Hitler. The brave actions of these men are not well-known in the world and I hope with stories like this one, these brave souls can get the recognition they are due. They stood up and did what they could to save lives. They did this without the support of their government and to the risk of not only their lives but those of their families. In retrospect they couldn’t save many, only 35,000 lives from what I can find on the internet, but they did something when so many would do nothing.From what I can tell the author did quite a bit of research and incorporated many of the actual events that took place into her book. Sure she tweaked them a bit to fit her plot, but one of the scenes involving Turks being rounded up and put on cattle cars and a brave diplomat boarding and refusing to leave the train without those passengers really happen. It was such a moving chapter for me and to know someone really did that makes me proud to be married to a Turk.The story moves at a good pace, moved back and forth in time in the beginning which was a little confusing, but that stops once you get into the story. The translation leaves some Turkish words in the text, but it isn’t too distracting or difficult to figure out what they mean. The characters are believable and good examples of different types of Turkish personalities I’ve known. It was an interesting portrayal of the country at this time period. Turkey was a young country, having just rebuilt herself from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. She did not want to risk anything by entering WWII, and we get to see how they worked so very hard to keep Turkey a neutral country. We also get a glimpse of what life was life at home for well to do families in Turkey during WWII. I imagine they were very much like those of Western families of influence. But like Turkey herself, even the main family this story revolves around, is stubborn on both sides. They are willing to cut their noses off to spite their face and in this case it not only cost one family precious time together it almost cost them their lives.My only complaint is that the end felt rushed. There was this whole build up of getting the Turks out of Paris and the reunion of families I would have liked to see more of what happen after their arrival in Turkey. The story made me cry and get angry at time, it also made me cheer and smile. Like I said it is a beautiful story and I hope you give it a try to learn a little about what these Turkish heroes did to save the lives they could.
What do You think about Nefes Nefese (2002)?
Disappointing read for a book set in WW2. One of the very few books I could not bear to finish.
—Roshana
Wow. That was an intense book. Fascinating and hard to put down.
—Brian
It took me some time to get started with the book but worth it.
—adanlucatero_1
