Without a Country

by Ayşe Kulin

I shall save my tears, for I fear the worst is yet to come.

I don’t know when it will happen, but Hitler will be gone one day, and only then will sociologists be able to analyze what has happened, and why. What I mean to say, son,

is that evil, too, can be instructive.”

Obedience is unquestioning submission to authority; discipline requires adherence to certain essential rules and duties, yes, but one is permitted—nay, encouraged—to question those very rules and duties.’

“She’ll have to find her own path and her own happiness. Just don’t expect her to be like you. That would be asking for far too much.”

My parents have always thought only of themselves and have lived only for their own pleasure.

They couldn’t care less about stepping on toes, about hurting feelings, about breaking hearts. When my mother chose to shack up with her lover in a small seaside town, she didn’t stop to think about what the consequences might be for her family. Nor did she spare a thought for my father

the day she suddenly walked ...

“I want a baby,” my mother had told Korhan. “Don’t let me get in the way,” he’d said. In short, my father is as self-centered as my mother.

I had the double misfortune of being the product of this selfish couple and of coming into this world during what are euphemistically known

as “interesting...

Unlike my mother and father, Demdem and Su believed they could make a difference, whether by planting a tree or leaving a bowl of water in the street for the stray cats. They were so full of love and a sense of purpose. Grandma Su retreated from the world a bit after she lost Grandpa

Demir, but she’s still always there for me.

You can think of faith simply as a kind of path from your heart to God.”

I never felt as though I

needed to tell my granddaughter about her mother. And you never asked. You’re old enough now to understand that things aren’t always what they seem. People are complicated. I hope you’re able to get to know your mother one day. It’s time you forgave her. You’ve never understood how difficult it was for

her to let you come and live in Istanbul. It was our...

Sometimes we get caught in a snare, and sometimes we’re too weak to resist. Our mistakes can carry a heavy price. They thought I was too young to understand.

There are two things I ask of you. One is to learn to forgive those you love. Be prepared. You will be called on one day to forgive.”

“I’d never forgive anyone for cheating on me.” “You might be the one doing the cheating. How do you know? You’re only hum...