Book reviews
All topics-
The animals of Istanbul – a literary homageA dog barks, a seagull mews
Istanbul's kings and queens are its seagulls, the cats and dogs in its alleyways, the pigeons on Taksim Square. The city's animals are also an essential component of its literature. A new anthology of short stories by Turkish-language authors offers up a narrative tribute to the city's non-human inhabitants
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Africans in PakistanMagical Karachi
Juergen Wasim Frembgen's new book, "Bambasa Street", is a fascinating account of the traditions of the African diaspora in Pakistan's largest metropolis
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Kuzey Topuz and "Der Freund"
The human as board game
In her debut novel, "Der Freund" (The Friend), Kuzey Topuz has created a complex weave of fragments and perspectives. The book is all about power and influence in interpersonal relations and at a societal level. It's a masterstroke
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Book review: Joseph Croitoru on HamasThe dark power of the "liberators"
How did Hamas come to rule over the Gaza Strip? And what developments led to 7 October? Historian Joseph Croitoru has the answers. His level-headed assessment of the facts lends this book a particular importance.
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Iranian protest literatureEhtesham-Zadeh and the inner revolution
"Zan", Suzi Ehtesham-Zadeh's short story collection, tells of Iranian women during the uprising in Iran, and of women in exile grappling in diverse ways with their identity and roots. A book about women, life and freedom that has arrived at exactly the right moment
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Daniel Marwecki on German–Israeli relationsBehind the façade of "atonement"
Historian Daniel Marwecki's 2020 book on the early years of German–Israeli relations has now been published in German under the title "Absolution? Israel und die deutsche Staatsräson". In it, the author describes these relations as a history of mutual interest-led politics
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Sherko Fatah's Great WishA daughter estranged
In his new novel "Der große Wunsch", award-winning author Sherko Fatah tells the story of a father whose daughter meets a supporter of IS and follows him to the Syrian war zone
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The discourse about Islam in German politicsFrom open to latent Islamophobia
Sociologist and Islamic studies expert Imad Mustafa was commissioned by the Group of Independent Experts on Islamophobia (UEM) to conduct the first academic study of the discourse around Islam in Germany's political parties. His findings have recently been published in book form
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Arabian PeninsulaDawn of a new era in the Gulf
Political scientist Sebastian Sons describes in his new book how societies on the Arabian Peninsula are undergoing multiple changes simultaneously as they search for a new identity
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Migrants in the UKThe world of London's others
In "Auf dem Null Meridian", Shady Lewis tells the story of an immigrant in London who works in social services and whose life is turned upside down. With a light touch and black humour, he describes the tragic consequences of racism and Eurocentric thinking. Lisa Neal read the book for Qantara.de
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The refugee's struggle for identityHomeless with three homes
In "Heimatlos mit drei Heimaten" – literally, 'homeless with three homes' – the historian and political scientist Aref Hajjaj illustrates his personal experiences from a life led between Palestine, Switzerland and Germany. Volker Kaminski read the book
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The last SyrianDreaming of freedom
In his debut novel – "Le dernier Syrien" – Syrian journalist and author Omar Youssef Souleimane looks back on the protest movement of 2011, a time when many in Syria hoped for societal change and democratic structures. Volker Kaminski read the German-language version of the book for Qantara.de