BOTM April The Tale of Aypi by Ak Welsapar

[Celia]

Set in the Soviet Republic of Turkmenistan during the final years of the USSR, The Tale of Aypi by Ak Welsapar focuses on the lives of the inhabitants of a small Turkmen village on the banks of the Caspian Sea. As the story begins, the sleepy fishing village has recently been informed by the central government that everyone is to be relocated to a nearby urban center so that their land can be used for the construction of a new hospice.

A ban has been placed on fishing, the village’s main livelihood, and preparations have already begun for the imminent desertion of the village. However, while most of the villagers have accepted their fate, one man—stubborn local fishermen Araz—is not so willing to give up his home and heritage.

From: https://asianreviewofbooks.com/conten...

[Gail]

The story of Aypi is a mythic tale of a young women who gave up too much information to outsiders and was punished for it by having her own husband kill her and throw her into the sea. She subsequently comes back to haunt the people of her small village in Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union is planning to move the whole fishing village to make way for a spa/hospital. These two threads come together as the people of the village discuss the relocation, the loss of livelihood, but most importantly the loss of home. The gender politics in this little book is quite interesting as Aypi voices loudly her disdain for men while the men themselves have lost their voice at the national level, being removed without anyone offering to hear their fears.
Overall a unique look at local versus national politics in a small village.

[Celia]

I have found this review of the book:

https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/20...

Note that it comes from the following website which lists at least one book for every country:

https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/th...

[Gail]

Great review and very useful reading the world link. Thank you

[Amanda]

I read this one last night and I also gave it 3 stars for overall quality but there was something quite fascinating about it.

I liked the point Gail brought up about the complexity of the gender politics.

I also quite liked how the threat of the strangers that is integral to Aypi's story could be reflected into the Soviet occupation of Turkmenistan.

As far as cultural understanding and this book go, it was interesting to read about some of the local traditions, especially in the context of weddings. I also particularly love the part where an uncle asks his nephew at the wedding if he is doing traditional Turkmen dancing and he says "no I'm doing break dancing, which is better and is not just for Turkmen", I thought that cultural exchange was funny.