- Paperback: 640 pages
- Publisher: Secker & Warburg; Airside Ed edition (1 July 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0436205513
- ISBN-13: 978-0436205514
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.4 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 178,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Birds Without Wings
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Product Description
Review
"'Captivating and compelling...A masterpiece' Independent on Sunday"
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
A glorious new novel from the author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, set at a time when the modern world was just beginning to define itself.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a truly great novel. It is set in Western Turkey in the early 20th century and concerns the events surrounding the first world war, the break-up and eventual dissolution of the Ottoman empire, and the effect that this has on the everyday inhabitants of a small town.
The story opens in Eskibahce and we are drawn into daily life through a series of anecdotes and tales told through the eyes of its various inhabitants. As the book progresses, the scene is cut more frequently to the historical events that are taking place, and as the book reaches its climax, we find ourselves totally engrossed in the war: the geopolitical struggles, the nationalist politics, the struggle between Greeks and Turks, and life in the trenches at Gallipoli.
The book achieves a superb balance between its gripping description of the history and politics of the time, and its equally gripping personal dramas being played out in this context. It explains the great tragedy that results ultimately in the deportation of the Turkish Greeks, with its attendant destruction of whole communities, the terrible consequences to individuals, and even the break-up of individual families.
To call this an "historical novel" is to understate the quality of the story-telling. There is some wonderful narrative here: the book creates its own folklore, marvellous tales, funny stories, sad stories, shocking stories, all embedded in this steam-rollering march of historical inevitability. We also meet some marvelous characters, who become like old friends as they come back time and again to contribute their little piece of the story. And here is another beautifully-executed technique - the stories overlap, as told by different people and seen from different points of view. In the mind of the reader is built a much richer experience of events when seen from so many different angles.
It's one of those books that is satisfying and interesting right from the outset. You know you are not going to be disappointed. It's just as well because it is 625 pages long! However, it's original, it's intelligent, it's informative, and it's one of those books that you must not miss.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Birds Without Wings explores further many of the themes of Captain Corelli's Mandolin: the many interwinding lives of a small town in peace and war; the frustration of love; the meshing and conflict of different races and cultures. These de Bernieres draws out with the same fluid empathy that characterised CCM, but chooses here to speak through many of the inhabitants - both Christian and Muslim - of the town of Eskibahce, rather than focussing on the destiny of a single family.
Intimate portrayal of the villagers is intermeshed with the events of the wider world - events that the birds without wings cannot fly away and escape. If anything, these are the parts that could have been sacrified to (yet) more character examination, since they're essentially a retelling of history.
De Bernieres is masterfully skillful at both drawing characters and telling their stories with endless variety. Each character is unforgetably detailed and multi-faceted, from the Dog, who lives in tombs on the outskirts of the town and terrifies children by smiling, to the 'Circassian' mistress of the local landowner, who yearns to speak her native Greek, to Abdulhamid Hodja, the wise local imam, and his horse. De Bernieres' mosaic of life is constantly sparkling and enthralling.
If you liked Captain Corelli, this is the extra large helping with chocolate sprinkles.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book. Hard going at times, but ultimately rewarding. If you loved Captain Corelli, this has many of the same ingredients: engrossing characters, minutely-observed village life, and a war that shatters everything. As ever with Louis de Bernieres, you have the sense that the entire book is painstakingly researched. Which makes it fascinating at times and treacle-ish at others. But, give it time. After 100 pages you won't be able to put it down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fascinating insights
I am really enjoying learning more about the way of life, a hundred years ago, in what was then Turkey. Read more
Published 8 days ago by TD
A very good read....
We bought this book on recommendation having recently visited the abandoned village of Kayakoy in Turkey around which the author based this story. Read more
Published 9 months ago by chris campbell
A superb book
Not so well known as Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but an excellent read and an eye-opener to the history of the time
Published 10 months ago by Harriet Lear
Superbly written
Having visited the ruins of Kayakoy in Turkey a few weeks ago, this book brings life back to the "Ghost Town". Read more
Published 10 months ago by Harryschofield
Amazing book!
As de Bernieres says himself, you need to have good concentration and determination to read his books... and this one is definately worth it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Miss R. Greaves
Moving
Having spent 2 weeks on holiday in this region last year I bought the book to read whilst on holiday there again this June. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Janeb
Excellent
I really enjoyed the book. Very interesting, captivating, rich in details, historical facts and very well written. I cannot recommend it enough.
Published 11 months ago by Anju
Fascinating read, a great story and brush up on your history...
A great read and you can learn more about an often forgotten bit of history. Especially good to read if you're visiting the area around Fethiye in Turkey.
Published 11 months ago by E. Edgington
Sex, love, history it's all in here... go buy it
Brilliant. Go buy it! I was given this book by a great friend as I left for Turkey. I read it while over there. Read more
Published 12 months ago by The Dragonfly
Birds without Wings
Am a fan of Louis de Berniere's writing and was particularly keen to read this book as my father was a British soldier in Gallipoli during the First World War and I was interested... Read more
Published 20 months ago by JeanB
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