Ikinci Yeni - The Turkish Avant-Garde

by George Messo (Editor)

In the mid-1950s a small but energetic group of young Turkish poets exploded into creative life. Their vivid, cosmopolitan experimentalism sent shock waves through the literary establishment. They became known as the Ikinci Yeni (The Second New). Inspired by surrealism and the contemporary European avant-garde, their influence was widespread and lasting-Turkish poetry would never be the same again. In this unique anthology George Messo introduces broad selections from five of the leading Ikinci Yeni Ece Ayhan, Ilhan Berk, Edip Cansever, Cemal Süreya and Turgut Uyar.

168 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2009

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five experimentalist Turkish poets from 1950s to 1970s in an excellent translation and annotations by George Messo. A little note: I do not read or speak Turkish but the translated poems were very fine. Places within Istanbul were often used as reference points, although still others were undefined by time or place but were solidified by real things/animals/persons. Ece Ayhan's poetry opened the book followed by Ilhan Berk's, whose themes of nature were pleasing. The intermingling between Britain (London) and Turkey also made some satisfying poems of Berk's. As my reading this book continued and I got into the flow, the poetry seemed to get better and better. Edip Cansever came next and Cemal Süreya reiterated the same final line in several of his poems: "I wish it were just for this I loved you." I found myself rereading the poems. Turgut Uyar's poems closed the book, his "Night with Deer" establishing a gentle haven from disequilibrium. A biography of each poet and a primary bibliography closes the book.

[Origano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poor translation

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, Ikinci Yeni - The Turkish Avant-Garde is the book I wish I'd read ten years ago. George Messo says plainly what took me a decade to figure out, no fluff, no guru energy. A few chapters repeat the same point. Perfect for anyone feeling stuck, skip if you've already done the work.