Staff Picks Blog
UPDATE: This book has been selected as the 2010 One Community One Book: Johnson County Reads title. Watch for more information about book discussions and other events at the UI Center for Human Right’s webpage or on the Library’s OCOB website.
Alan Drew’s first novel is a story of two families (one Kurdish and one American), two faiths, and two cultures. The story is set in Istanbul, Turkey and begins four days before a massive earthquake destroys many parts of the City. The story is an excellent modern-day Romeo and Juliet story with good character and story development.
Alan Drew is a 2004 graduate of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and currently lives in Philadelphia where he teaches fiction writing. He has first-hand experience living and working in Turkey. He moved to Istanbul in 1999 and arrived just four days before the devastating Marmara earthquake.
My teenage daughter and I listened to the story together and we both enjoyed it. Mark Bramhall’s narration is excellent and adds depth to the story. ~Enjoy~
