Last Train to Istanbul: A Novel Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
B00FPDRPI2 | Format: PDF
Last Train to Istanbul: A Novel Description
Born into privilege to one of the last Ottoman pashas, beautiful, spirited Selva is the brightest jewel in her father?s household - until she falls in love with Rafael Alfandari. Though Turkey has long been a safe haven for Jews, marriage between a high-ranking Muslim girl and a Jewish boy is strictly forbidden. Yet young love will not be denied, and Selva and Rafael defy their parents and marry, fleeing to Paris in hopes of a better life - only to find themselves trapped in the path of the invading Nazis.
But in the midst of darkness shines a beacon of hope: A handful of courageous Turkish diplomats, protected only by the tenuous neutrality of their homeland, hatch a daring plot to spirit the exiled lovers and hundreds of innocent Jews to safety. Together, they will traverse a war-torn continent, crossing enemy lines and risking everything in one last, desperate bid for freedom.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 12 hours and 9 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: October 8, 2013
- Whispersync for Voice: Ready
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00FPDRPI2
I received this book Last Train to Istanbul from the Vine Program. I picked this book as it stated it was a story from the World War II area a time that I lived through. It also involved inter marriage of a Moslem girl and Jewish boy which was a big event that divided families. This book was written by Ayse Kulin a novel about the difficult time during the War. She is Turkish and it was published in 2002 and translated to English by John Baker in 2006, this book will be available in October 2013. My book was an advance Reader's copy and published by Amazoncrossing.
From the first pages I was engrossed and could not stop reading. There are 434 pages to this paperback book and I enjoyed every page. From the very beginning I was drawn into the lives of the two families in Turkey, the girls Sabiha and Selva were Moslem and Rafo who was Jewish. Sabiha married Macit a Moselm government worker. Selva married Rafo against her parent's wishes and the couple fled to France to start a new life. This was in 1938 the beginning of Hitler's reign over Europe.
The story covers both girls and the life they led during this time. Sabiha missed her sister and tried to keep in touch with her through her husband Macit when he was sent to France on government business. Turkey was trying to stay out of the war and stay neutral and it was a difficult for everyone. When Hitler took over France Selva and Rafo were living in Marseilles in southern France and thought they would be safe. They soon found out they had to be registered as Turkey citizens and became friends with the Turkey Consulate in Marseilles.
Then one day Rafo was picked up by the Gestopo and Selva frantically recruited the help of the Turkey Consulate in both Marseilles and Paris and he was released.
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