At the Breakfast Table

A vivid, evocative work of historical fiction, I thought this was a beautifully written book. (Some credit must surely also go here to the deft work of the translator.) The sense of place was so strong and the characters fully rounded, with particular favourites of mine being Sadik, Shirin and Nur. The arc of the story worked very well, played out across a short period of a couple of days but with echoes and memories of events going back decades. I found the slow pace and shifting narrative voices difficult at the start but I am very glad that I stayed with this book, as it is a cumulative experience; an intricate and memorable piece of writing.
Thank you for giving our group a chance to read and discuss this book.
V Ryrie, Hunstanworth Village Hall Book Club

At The Breakfast Table is a moving, reflective, read. It is a story of loyalty yet betrayal, love yet abandonment, intimacy yet detachment and the elegant stoic manner in which ‘the oldies’, the main focus of the story, present themselves throughout only serves to enhance these themes. The physical environment is also beautifully described, igniting all the senses. I felt immersed within it. The family history is so affecting I found myself wanting to understand more and researched the actual events.

I did find it difficult to get started as I found it confusing when characters were referred to with different titles and wondered if they were indeed the same person. ‘Shirin Saka’ and ‘Shirin Hanim’ being an example of this. By the time I got to grips with who was who however, the story had gathered momentum and I was hooked. Totally hooked.

The story is told through the perspectives of four different individuals. The way in which the view of someone looking in on a situation can be so distorted from the fact was captured so skilfully that I was left in no doubt as to how painful misjudged situations can be.

The idea of trauma being passed on through subsequent generations is explored and manifests itself in the characters behaviours and helps explain why they perceive situations the way they do. I couldn’t but help feel frustrated, and even go as far as to dislike, Celine and Nur for their behaviours when I should perhaps have been feeling empathy as a result. I also struggled with the fact that such an elderly man was still fulfilling the role of a servant. It didn’t feel realistic that a man potentially his 90’s could still carry out this role.

Despite these quibbles, it truly is a stunning and cleverly interwoven story. There are even sprinklings of humorous banter between siblings, and playful youthful naivety to lift the mood. It is an absolute gem for reading groups with so many facets to explore and a clear winner for lovers of historical fiction.

With thanks to Head of Zeus for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.