Random Things Tours: Lovers of Franz K. by Burhan Sönmez translated by Sami Hêzil

 

Lovers of Franz K., first novel written in Kurdish by the current PEN International director Burhan Sönmez, translated into English by Sami Hêzil, is a crime mystery with an entincing literary touch. I´ve recently talked about the book, featuring the unique book cover, inspired by the Andy Warhol´s vision on the famous Jewish author, but this time I had the chance to delve into its subject.

Set in the troubled years of the end 1960s, when anti-establishment protests took over the world, it uses the Cold War tensions as the setting to a mysterious crime that may lead the reader to a forgotten - for a good reason - last Kafka´s manuscript. 

I am passionate about this historical period, and I was pleased by the well-researched background, both political and emotional of those times.

There are so many books inspired by Kafka lately - as an individual, as a writer, as a creator of unique characters - and I can only wonder if the times we are living are really calling for it. In the case of Lovers of Franz K. the big question opening has to do with the ways in which the works of an author do belong to the public, even though they may not actually agree to disclose its content for various reasons. In an age of public disclosure and obsessive transparency, should one get involed in revoking decisions about one´s own work, no matter how famous and how relevant for the history of literature that person is?

So many questions and ideas that I am trying to understand right now, introduced to the reader under the disguise of a very well written political crime novel. A book that appeals very well both the crime readers and...well, the lovers of Franz K., obviously.

The book is published by Open Borders Press, an imprint of Orenda Books.  

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Cover Reveal: Lovers of Franz K. by Burhan Sönmez translated by Sami Hêzil

Set between West Berlin, Istanbul and Tel Aviv, among others, Lovers of Franz K. is a literary mystery and a postumous tribute to the one and only Franz K. Published soon by Open Borders Press, an imprint of Orenda Books, it shows that indeed, even beautiful literature can lead to crime. As usually happens with any idea that it is invested an obsessive passion. 

Until I will be able to present the book - happening soon, no worries - I am honored to be part of the special event of cover reveal of this book with such an unique, unusual topic. 

On the top cover - that it is worth to mention includes the name of the translator together with the author´s - a sepia photograph of Kafka has collage-like add-ons that combine fragments of images with sketches details. It promises some unexpected take bringing Kafka´s personality into the everyday contemporary social and political relevance. Definitely, a catch for someone like me, often buying books for the beautiful covers.

Burhan Sönmez is a Turkey-born Kurdish novelist, currently the president of PEN International. Sami Hêzil  is a translator and teacher of Kurdish language and literature from Northern Kurdistan. 

If I convinced you to purchase the book, here is the link including the bookish websites distributing it: https://geni.us/PAh7ra