## Dschinns: A Novel of Family Secrets and Uneasy Returns
**By Fatma Aydemir**
**A sweeping family saga, shortlisted for the 2022 German Book Prize, "Dschinns" explores the complexities of family ties, the weight of unspoken truths, and the ghosts that haunt us across generations.**
Hüseyin, a Turkish immigrant who spent decades toiling in Germany, finally achieves his lifelong dream: owning an apartment in Istanbul. But tragedy strikes on the very day he moves in, as he succumbs to a fatal heart attack. His sudden death becomes the catalyst that draws his estranged family from Germany to Istanbul for his funeral.
The novel delves into the lives of six family members, each grappling with their own burdens, secrets, and desires:
* **Peri**, Hüseyin’s wife, now widowed and left alone to face the consequences of their strained relationship.
* **Ümit**, their son, who carries the weight of his father’s expectations and wrestles with his sexuality in a culture that shuns it.
* **Sevda**, their daughter, yearning for her father's love and struggling to reconcile her aspirations with her family's traditions.
* **Hakan**, the eldest son, estranged from the family and haunted by a painful past he cannot escape.
* **Gül**, Hakan's wife, caught in the crossfire of her husband's inner turmoil and the family's judgment.
* **Can**, the youngest, searching for belonging in a family he barely knows, grappling with his identity as a German-born Turk.
As they converge in the Istanbul apartment, a palpable tension grips them. A shared sense of unease, a feeling of being watched, permeates the air. Is it the weight of their collective grief, the secrets they harbor, or something more sinister, like the mythical "Dschinns," supernatural beings from Middle Eastern lore, lurking in the shadows?
"Dschinns" masterfully weaves a tapestry of individual stories, exploring themes of immigration, identity, family dynamics, and the lingering effects of intergenerational trauma. Through evocative prose and raw emotional depth, Aydemir paints a poignant portrait of a family fractured by time, distance, and unspoken truths. Their journey becomes a search for understanding, forgiveness, and ultimately, a place to belong.
**FAQs:**
**Q: What is the significance of the title "Dschinns"?**
A: The title alludes to supernatural beings from Middle Eastern folklore, often associated with unseen forces and unsettling occurrences. In the novel, the "Dschinns" represent the characters' anxieties, secrets, and the weight of their past, creating a palpable tension within the family and a sense of being haunted by the unseen.
**Q: Is this book suitable for readers unfamiliar with Turkish culture?**
A: Absolutely. While the novel delves into the nuances of Turkish culture and the immigrant experience in Germany, Aydemir’s skillful storytelling transcends cultural boundaries, offering universal themes of family, identity, and belonging that resonate with a wide audience.
**Q: What is the writing style of the book?**
A: "Dschinns" is characterized by its evocative prose, switching seamlessly between different characters' perspectives. The writing is emotionally raw and honest, drawing readers into the complexities of each character's inner world.
**Q: Does the book offer a resolution for the family's conflicts?**
A: Rather than offering neat resolutions, "Dschinns" embraces the messiness of family dynamics. While the characters confront their past and strive for understanding, the ending leaves room for interpretation, prompting reflection on the enduring nature of family ties and the complexities of forgiveness.
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