The main characters in this historical novel are two sisters: Traditionalist, Sabiha, the eldest, who follows the precepts mandated by their Muslim faith as well as their father. She marries, Macit, an educated, distinguished man, accepted by her family.
Clever and sensible Selva, the younger sister, is her father Fazil’s favorite. She and her father often execute healthy debates.
Fazil often spoke of the liberality of Turkey being a safe haven for Jews. During the 1400s, the Sultan issued a formal invitation to Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal.
Fazil appeared a freethinker concerning tolerance and loving thy neighbor until Selva wanted to marry a Jew, Rafael (Rafo) Alfandari. The controversy of an interfaith marriage reared its ugly head in both their families’ minds. Selva is shocked at her father’s bigotry and bitterness.
However, Selva followed the dictates of her heart. She and Rafo quit college and were married. In 1937, ostracized by their families and her parents’ emotional blackmail, Selva suggested they move to Paris.
In early spring 1940, Germany invaded France. Selva and Rafo fled to the south of France—the ‘free zone.’
A year later, Turkey wanted to remain neutral during World War II. It worried concerning war with the Bulgarian army, the shadow of Germany who had already flexed its muscles into the Balkans, skepticism of Britain being their ally, and the hand extended by iron-fisted Russia, known to be intolerant of opposing views.
Turkey had received a letter from Hitler of his good intentions toward the Turkish people, promising not to put German soldiers on Turkish soil. However, in actuality, Germany wanted Turkey to choose sides.
While residing in Marseille, Rafo and Selva had a son. They named him Fazil.
In 1942, Selva taught piano in their Marseille home. Later, she decided to teach Turkish to Jews desiring citizenship in Turkey. Meanwhile, Rafo partnered in a pharmacy establishment across the road from their home.
That fall, the Germans had advanced into the southern region of France. They had begun to deport Jews and what they considered other undesirables to Auschwitz. However, French police were already hard at work the summer of 1942 rounding up Jews.
A watchful Selva telephoned Rafo and his partner when French police or Germans canvassed the area near their pharmacy. She also telephoned residents.
The novelist leaves you in suspense at what happens next when Rafo is captured by the Germans, and placed in a cattle car heading for Paris and then to Auschwitz. Selva undaunted and unashamedly pleaded on her knees for her husband’s life to the late, real-life Turkish diplomat Consult General to Marseille, Necdet Kent, while he dined in an affluent restaurant with an Italian diplomat and his wife.
Of note, Necdet Kent risked his life to save Jews during World War II. To spare them from deportation, he provided citizenship to Turkish Jews and non-Turkish Jews living in France. I won’t discuss Kent’s tremendous courage and heroics in Marseille at that time. I suggest you read the book.
In addition, the novel captures the lives of a depressed, guilt-ridden, but self-indulgent Sabiha, who appears disinterested in her eight-year-old daughter, Hulya, who wasn’t born a male child. Sensitive Hulya realizes her mother’s indifference. She finds solace in her maternal-grandparents.
Macit, Sabiha’s husband, was overloaded with work, assisting Turkey’s President Inonu, during the war. Although he appeared insensitive to Sabiha’s needs, maybe because of their lack of communication, he does grasp her apparent apathy toward their daughter.
Macit suggests Sabiha seek professional help. However, their marriage is almost compromised because of a competent, but unethical psychiatrist’s desire for Sabiha.
Outstanding is Selva Alfandari, an altruistic, principled, young woman who believed it her philanthropic duty, from a civic standpoint, to assist Jews escape France during the Second World War. But Selva’s kindheartedness almost risk the lives of fellow passengers during her assistance of a fellow-traveler.
Other remarkable characters in the novel are Turkish, Assistant Secretary, Tarik Aricet, assigned to Paris, and Ferit, a Turkish socialist that worked for the Resistance.
The theme encapsulated the grief, fear, and hope of the Jews leaving France, traveling on a Turkish coach, supervised by two Turkish citizens with their best interest at heart.
The story abridged a female passenger being dehumanized on the darkened train by possibly a German soldier. I thought the women should have been alerted for safety reasons, and, that Constance, who suffered this atrocity should have had the love and support of the women she travelled with. Instead, the incident was kept secret. Constance became silent and detached. Her husband, Marcel, appeared undeniably angry. He didn’t seem to have the capability, which is not unusual, to comfort his wife after her ordeal.
I enjoyed reading this novel. The plot is believable. There are likable characters. The author captures your concern and imagination. Before passengers reach their desired destination, you anticipate and expect danger at every depot or sudden stop where documents are scrutinized by German soldiers.
Turkey signed the German-Turkish Non-Aggression Pact, June 18, 1941. I believe this pact might have saved lives. If Turkey had not signed this pact I doubt they would have had the latitude to return Turkish Jews to Istanbul during the war.
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Reviews with images
This is a well written (and translated) novel - the tale of what few people are even aware of.
World War 2 was a terrible period in history--the Nazi's were causing havoc and fear through out Europe. There were few countries that attempted to stay neutral. Although I never realized this--Turkey was one of them. The lengths they went to to protect Turkish people-no matter their religion-who were currently living in occupied countries was nothing short of heroic and amazing. I am not sure how much of this is fiction and how much truth but the author has cited references she used at the end of the book.It is the story of a Turkish Muslim family whose daughter married a Turkish Jew. They were disowned by both their families and moved to Paris and ultimately were saved by the Turkish government who sent a train into Paris and with subterfuge managed to get a lot of people back to Turkey--no matter their religion.This is a well written (and translated) novel which tells the tale of what few people are even aware of.I encourage everyone to read this novel--it is an eye opener!
Top reviews from other countries
Anita Coulson
A nail-biting escape from Nazi persecution
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2024
Anusree
A delightful read from Turkey
Reviewed in India on January 3, 2018
Anusree
Reviewed in India on January 3, 2018
Last Train to Istanbul is a historical fiction written by Ayşe Kulin. This is my first encounter with the author and she has brilliantly delivered the readers a perfect bittersweet symphony. The story has an array of characters and several subplots which Kulin has penned down quite craftily.
The plot
Selva and Sabiha, two Turkish Muslim sisters are the central characters of the story. Selva’s father disowns her as she falls in love with her Jew classmate and marries him. Selva migrates to France with her husband while Sabiha marries a Turkish diplomat much to the delight of her parents.
But as Hitler’s army invades France, Selva’s family, along with countless other Jews are left with no choice but to flee or be taken away to concentration camps. They turn to the Turkish embassy for help. The rest of the story revolves around Turkey’s attempts to evacuate both Turkish and non-Turkish Jews to safety.
The Review
Kulin has undoubtedly put together a delightful read. She, by using real life characters in the story asserts the fact that reality could be more dramatic and strange than fiction. While the ending felt a little uneventful compared to the rest of the story, I am certainly willing to overlook that. As the book was translated to English, some elements might have got lost in the process, but it was hard to tell with the gripping story line. The language was simple yet flawless.
What I loved the most about this book is how Kulin has masterfully juggled with the subplots and gave life to each character with grave attention to detail. Everything and everyone falls into their place perfectly, like the unique pieces of a jigsaw.
I picked this book up for my love to this faraway land. Kulin has made me move Turkey up several places in my travel bucket list, as she has stressed on the rich history and traditions of Turkey along with the country’s warm heart. I am definitely looking forward to read more from the author
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