Djinns

Fatma Aydemir, Jon Cho-Polizzi

From Shelf: Best Autumn fiction to look forward to as picked by Anthony Cummins

A family at the end of the 20th century in all its complexity: full of secrets, questions, and love. Hu seyin has been working in Germany, carefully saving to buy an apartment back in Istanbul. But just as this new future is in reach, his tired heart gives up. The children rush to him, each of them conflicted as they process the news.

For thirty years, Huseyin has worked in Germany, taking every extra shift and carefully saving, even as he provides for his wife and their four children. Finally, he has set aside enough to buy an apartment back in Istanbul - a new centre for the family and a place for him to retire. But just as this future is in reach, Huseyin's tired heart gives up. His family rush to him, travelling from Germany by plane and car, each of his children conflicted as they process their relationship with their parents and each other. Reminiscent of Bernardine Evaristo or Zadie Smith, Djinns portrays a family at the end of the 20th century in all its complexity - full of secrets, questions, silence and love.