The Bastard of Istanbul
by Elif Shafak
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak holds a well received rating of 3.79 out of 5, based on 14.2K reader ratings. First published in 2006. The book spans 368 pages.
About The Bastard of Istanbul
From one of Turkey’s most acclaimed and outspoken writers, a novel about the tangled histories of two families.In her second novel written in English, Elif Shafak confronts her country’s violent past in a vivid and colorful tale set in both Turkey and the United States. At its center is the “bastard” of the title, Asya, a nineteen-year-old woman who loves Johnny Cash and the French Existentialists, and the four sisters of the Kazanci family who all live together in an extended household in Istanbul: Zehila, the zestful, headstrong youngest sister who runs a tattoo parlor and is Asya’s mother; Banu, who has newly discovered herself as a clairvoyant; Cevriye, a widowed high school teacher; and Feride, a hypochondriac obsessed with impending disaster. Their one estranged brother lives in Arizona with his wife and her Armenian daughter, Armanoush. When Armanoush secretly flies to Istanbul in search of her identity, she finds the Kazanci sisters and becomes fast friends with Asya. A secret is uncovered that links the two families and ties them to the 1915 Armenian deportations and massacres. Full of vigorous, unforgettable female characters, The Bastard of Istanbul is a bold, powerful tale that will confirm Shafak as a rising star of international fiction.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Elif Shafak |
| Published | 2006 |
| Pages | 368 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.79 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 14,215 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Bastard of Istanbul?
The Bastard of Istanbul is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Bastard of Istanbul worth reading?
Based on 14.2K reader ratings, The Bastard of Istanbul has an average score of 3.79 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Bastard of Istanbul?
The Bastard of Istanbul has 368 pages.
Who wrote The Bastard of Istanbul?
The Bastard of Istanbul was written by Elif Shafak. It was first published in 2006.
What is the ISBN for The Bastard of Istanbul?
The ISBN-13 for The Bastard of Istanbul is 9780670038340.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
