Birds Without Wings is the story of a small town in Anatolia in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire told in the richly varied voices of the men and women (Armenians, Christians, and Muslims) whose lives are intertwined and rooted there: Iskander, the potter and local fount of wisdom; Philotei, the Christian girl of legendary beauty, courted almost from infancy by Ibrahim the goatherd, a great love that culminates in tragedy and madness; and many more. When jihad is declared against the Franks and the young men of the town are conscripted, we follow Iskander's son, Karatavuk, to Gallipoli, where the intimate brutality of battle robs him of all innocence, just as the town he left behind is robbed of its centuries-old peace by the twin scourges of fanatical religion and nationalism that the war unleashed.
Download and start listening now!
"Awesome story, interwoven with historical facts and speculation. I only give it four stars because I found it to be, at times, unwieldy with its multiple characters/plots, and its complex storyline. You needn't be a scholar of the Ottoman Empire, a Greek or a Turk for this novel to touch you and to resonate." — Mae (4 out of 5 stars)
"Awesome story, interwoven with historical facts and speculation. I only give it four stars because I found it to be, at times, unwieldy with its multiple characters/plots, and its complex storyline. You needn't be a scholar of the Ottoman Empire, a Greek or a Turk for this novel to touch you and to resonate."
" tough read, but insightful to the way of life pre WW1 "
" Historical/fictional account of the birth of Modern Turkey and it's hero, Kemel Ataturk. Fascinating characters, epic-style. "
" really interesting look into another lifestyle - interesting character development - easy read - i liked it a lot "
" This is a novel of epic proportions, to take on such a complicated era of history mix it with complex story lines and characters and bring it together into one narrative is nothing short of genius. The fact that there are about 5 epilogues speaks wonders! "
" I am finding it difficult to articulate a review. This book is beautifully written and peopled with wonderful characters. I felt as if I were a guest in the village and the villagers stopped by each day and told me stories. "
" Fantastic book for anyone interested in WWI Turkey. I really liked the mix of fiction and non-fiction chapters. It gave me a real sense of how the war affected individuals of different ethinic and religious backgrounds in Turkey. "
" Read this book a few years ago but it still stands out as one of the best books I've read. "
" This book is amazing. It may be more challenging/less interesting to people without any interest or knowledge of Turkey. However it also teaches a lot of the history of the country and the region from early in the 20th century. "
" I love Louis de Bernieres. His writing captures beauty in the grittiest moments. I would read this again. "
" Just finishing rereading it. This book did not loose one ounce of its sweeping grandeur, its beauty, its horror, its heavy-set emotion, its devastation. One of my favorite novels. "
" This is an excellent book! "
" I cried.....I absolutely cried my eyes out from beginning to end. What a heartbreaking and beautifully written account on the dehumanizing conditions of war and displacement. "
" I very much enjoyed the pithy wit with which the folly of governments is portrayed as well as the story of the peoples lives. "
" Since reading it I've read up on a lot of the history behind the book and disagree with de Bernieres slant on it, but a lovely book dealing with large historical themes and the tragedy which swept through Anatolia at the turn of the last century. "
" A little too much military information. Otherwise very good story. Includes the rise of Ataturk of Turkey whose history I did not know at all. "
" This is a book that engages every step of the way. Savour every page. "
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.