BLISS: A Novel

I loved this book so much that I sent a fan letter to the publisher, and demanded to be introduced to the author when I went to Istanbul. Bliss is fresh, original, and warm-hearted, the work of a cosmopolitan insider and multi-talented artist. Louis de Bernieres, author of Corelli's Mandolin

Livaneli is an essential force in Turkey's musical, cultural and political scene. Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize Winner and author of Snow

The intersecting destinies of the three heroes present a portrait of Turkey at once tender and compassionate. I am sure they will have a deep influence upon French readers just as they have conquered the hearts of more than a hundred thousand of your compatriots. President Jacques Chirac of France, in a letter to the author

A gripping contemporary story that gets behind stereotypes of exotic Islam to reveal the diversity in individual people and the secrets and lies, cruelty and love, in family, friendship, and public life. This will make a terrific bookclub selection when it reaches paperback. Booklist

Eye-opening and deeply moving essential for anyone looking for decency in the world today. Kirkus Reviews (starred)

A lyrical novel. The Wall Street Journal

With lush scenes of Turkish life and nuanced depictions of the [characters'] inner lives. . . .a convergence of lost, likable souls. Entertainment Weekly

Livaneli offers readers a fascinating look at the diversity of Turkey today in his American debut. Library Journal

A compelling premise, set in a part of the world that many American readers are curious about. . . hard to put down The Cleveland Plain Dealer

A brutal rape and the subsequent death sentence on the defiled girl draws one into the disparate worlds of traditional and modern Turkey. This exciting, sensitively written novel educates and illuminates not only the plight of women but also a society in conflict. Barbara Goldsmith, Author and Historian

Livaneli's novel paints a picture of contemporary Turkey and its archaic culture and shows how torn this country and its people are . . . Livaneli reveals how much collective obedience, respect, and honor mold people and keep them from their happiness. This novel is smart, honest . . . It allows us to understand Turkey and its people a little better and sympathize with them. Necla Kelek, German-Turkish sociologist and author of the bestsellers The Foreign Bride and The Lost Sons

Lyrical, poetic, and magical . . .Livaneli is an extraordinary writer and a master of language . . .I like the way he depicts the real and unknown life of the simple people who live deep in the East with their own age-old codes of life You will read this book in one breath, without a pause. Mikis Theodorakis, composer for Zorba the Greek

Teens will be drawn to the plight of a girl who has been raped and is then treated as the perpetrator of the crime. Livaneli shows village life and modern city life as two separate realities that coexist in Turkey today. Students interested in human rights and global studies will also appreciate this novel. School Library Journal

I loved this book so much that I sent a fan letter to the publisher, and demanded to be introduced to the author when I went to Istanbul. Bliss is fresh, original, and warm-hearted, the work of a cosmopolitan insider and multi-talented artist. --Louis de Bernieres, author of Corelli's Mandolin

Livaneli is an essential force in Turkey's musical, cultural and political scene. --Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize Winner and author of Snow

The intersecting destinies of the three heroes present a portrait of Turkey at once tender and compassionate. I am sure they will have a deep influence upon French readers just as they have conquered the hearts of more than a hundred thousand of your compatriots. --President Jacques Chirac of France, in a letter to the author

A gripping contemporary story that gets behind stereotypes of exotic Islam to reveal the diversity in individual people and the secrets and lies, cruelty and love, in family, friendship, and public life. This will make a terrific bookclub selection when it reaches paperback. --Booklist

Eye-opening and deeply moving--essential for anyone looking for decency in the world today. --Kirkus Reviews (starred)

A lyrical novel. --The Wall Street Journal

With lush scenes of Turkish life and nuanced depictions of the [characters'] inner lives. . . .a convergence of lost, likable souls. --Entertainment Weekly

Livaneli offers readers a fascinating look at the diversity of Turkey today in his American debut. --Library Journal

A compelling premise, set in a part of the world that many American readers are curious about. . . hard to put down --The Cleveland Plain Dealer

A brutal rape and the subsequent death sentence on the defiled girl draws one into the disparate worlds of traditional and modern Turkey. This exciting, sensitively written novel educates and illuminates not only the plight of women but also a society in conflict. --Barbara Goldsmith, Author and Historian

Livaneli's novel paints a picture of contemporary Turkey and its archaic culture and shows how torn this country and its people are . . . Livaneli reveals how much collective obedience, respect, and honor mold people and keep them from their happiness. This novel is smart, honest . . . It allows us to understand Turkey and its people a little better and sympathize with them. --Necla Kelek, German-Turkish sociologist and author of the bestsellers The Foreign Bride and The Lost Sons

Lyrical, poetic, and magical . . .Livaneli is an extraordinary writer and a master of language . . .I like the way he depicts the real and unknown life of the simple people who live deep in the East with their own age-old codes of life...You will read this book in one breath, without a pause. --Mikis Theodorakis, composer for Zorba the Greek

Teens will be drawn to the plight of a girl who has been raped and is then treated as the perpetrator of the crime. Livaneli shows village life and modern city life as two separate realities that coexist in Turkey today. Students interested in human rights and global studies will also appreciate this novel. --School Library Journal

O. Z. Livaneli, one of Turkey's most prominent authors, is also an accomplished composer, and previously served as an elected member of the Turkish Parliament.