FICTION

Honor

by Elif Shafak
Viking. 2013. 352p. ISBN 9780670784837. $26.95. F
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When a murder among a family of Turkish immigrants is committed in London, it is clear from the outset that Iskender Toprak has killed his mother; it soon becomes apparent that he did so for reasons of "honor," as Pembe was believed to be having an extramarital affair. Utilizing multiple narrators and a nonchronological structure, Shafak creates a mosaic of three generations of a family and reveals the history of abuse that led to the murder. Culture clashes—Turkish versus Kurdish, rural versus urban, Eastern versus Western cultural norms and expectations—are ongoing themes in this novel set against a backdrop of the political and cultural turmoil of 1970s London.
VERDICT The nonlinear structure and lack of a central character create a somewhat disjointed reading experience, especially at first. But as the characters and their stories become more familiar, Shafak's unconventional style offers moments of surprise. A major plot twist toward the end pushes the limits of plausibility, but overall this is a worthy addition to a growing body of literature from authors with Middle Eastern roots. [See Prepub Alert, 9/24/12.]
Reviewed by Christine DeZelar-Tiedman, Univ. of Minnesota Libs, Minneapolis , Apr 15, 2013
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