This book was a lot of things - a commentary on people’s lives in city apartments during Covid, an essay on gentrification, (maybe?) a love story and a historical fiction account of Turkey’s treatment of its Greek population, as well as a damning indictment of the culture that features if we let anti-immigrant xenophobia run rife in our respective countries. For that reason, it was well worth a read.

For the review: as above, the book does cover some really deeply impactful issues, and all the while, it’s a love letter to Istanbul. Now having been to Istanbul, I do think it’s one of the greatest cities on this earth, and so, a lot of the deceptions of Istanbul resonated and makes sense - but I couldn’t help but think it was so overly place based and focused on Istanbul as a location that if you didn’t know anything about it, you would be so deeply lost or skipping over pages of description.

What this book did best was talk about the history of the Greek community in Turkey, and really shine a light on the scale and scope of anti-Greek sentiment and violence in Turkey in the 50s and 60s, namely Septemvriana in 1955. This was such critical and hard reading and this is where I think it’s so important that this book is available to as many people as possible, especially in the English speaking world.

Where this book fell flat for me was the character - I found it hard to relate to a 75-year old man who was pining over 30-something year old Leyla while reminiscing over his sexual exploits of his earlier years - I did feel for Pericles, I just wasn’t that committed to his narrative. Also, I do think this story takes like 5 different directions and narratives at once, and it’s just hard to commit to some parts of the books over others - I kept wanting to skip to the chapters that talked about the past - I guess that’s why I’m a historic fiction reader!

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the early copy and opportunity to review!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222376504-the-last-apartment-in-istanbul

We follow Pericles' life from young boy to a 75 year old man, but not in chronological order. The novel jumps around between youth, middle age and old age. Pericles lives with his family in Istanbul. A Greek family living in Turkey and living through the hatred and persecution of Greeks, Pericles remembers the fear as a child when surrounding homes were ransacked with his parents eventually driven out of the country to relocate to Athens. Pericles continues living in the family apartment despite surrounding blocks being erased around him. By now he is an arrogant, self-centred young then older man, using women with little regard for their feelings. I kept reading because of the history of oppression I knew little about, but the main character was not likeable while the women around him had far more depth which was not fully explored.

This story and its setting are close to my heart, however this may equally closer inspection and attachment.
Pericles is a 75 yo who lives in one of the older districts in Istanbul.
His life changes when he meets Leyla, a newbie in the neighbourhood.
At the backdrop of this is the old souls of Istanbul with all their beauty, richness and love.
I loved this book.

Pericles, a 75 year old Greek man who has lived in Istanbul all his life, is looking back and preparing to write his story. He lives in one of the old historic beautiful buildings (but in a 'rough' area) which are being steadily bulldozed by Istanbul planners together with mafia and gangsters. There's a hugely interesting personal story here as well as an overview of historic Turkish aggression against Greek Instanbul citizens, from 1955 on.
The 'current' storyline is set in the Covid period and Pericles sells his family's (empty) apartment to a young woman, Leyla to whom he is immediately attracted. She is the daughter of a (deceased) author and is going to help Pericles organise his notes into a coherent story, for publication.
Learning about the 'September Events' and violent aggression of 1955 and the forced exile of Greek citizens in 1964 - who lost their apartments, houses, belongings and bank accounts on being forced to sign a 'confession' at the border was horrific. I'd never heard of these events - and as Leyla points out, even modern Istanbulites are often oblivious because it was never spoken about.
Wonderful characters who support each other through generations and lifetimes, despite unheavals and family trauma. An overal positive book but you do mourn for the loss of the historic areas and the old ways of life they had there. Beautifully written.

The Last Apartment in Istanbul by Defne Suman is a beautifully written exploration of memory, history, and the passage of time. The story revolves around Pericles Drakos, a seventy-five-year-old Greek man who has spent his entire life in the Circle Building, a once-glorious apartment complex in Istanbul. As the neighbourhood gentrifies and the pandemic deepens his isolation, Pericles retreats into the shadows of his home, reflecting on the changes in both the city and his own life.

When a vibrant thirty-something named Leyla moves into the building, Pericles becomes captivated by her energy and presence. As he discovers that Leyla is a writer, Pericles feels compelled to tell his own story—one shaped by the tumultuous politics and oppression he endured as a Greek man living in twentieth-century Turkey. In doing so, he seeks to preserve his memories, his identity, and the rich, complicated history of his experiences.

The book delicately balances the personal and the historical, drawing readers into Pericles' world with his poignant reflections on his past, his loves, his regrets, and his hopes. Suman's prose is elegant, capturing the sense of nostalgia, longing, and connection between generations. The relationship that blossoms between Pericles and Leyla adds a layer of warmth and human connection to the narrative, offering a reminder that even in the face of isolation, there is the potential for meaningful relationships and personal growth.

What truly stands out in The Last Apartment in Istanbul is its exploration of the intersections between individual lives and the larger political and cultural shifts that shape them. The story thoughtfully addresses themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the complexities of living in a city that is constantly evolving.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Suman’s storytelling is rich, immersive, and deeply moving. The Last Apartment in Istanbul is a book that not only captures the essence of Istanbul but also delves into the universal themes of love, loss, and memory. It’s a captivating read that stays with you long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I don't usualy read books that talk of the pandemic, I prefer to be taken away from real life, but this is a wonderful and gorgeous read.

Pericles Drakos is almost eighty and has lived his apartment for all his life.

When the pandemic hits he becomes lonely and isolated and when a new neighbour moved in it enriches his lifr

The is a book I truly enjoyed. It is beautifully written and I loved my reading time