Francois Angelier's novel titled "Pockets Filled with Wonder": Follow the lives of Enis Batur, Martine Desjardins, and Peng Shepherd in this captivating narrative.
"The House of Books" Unveiled: A Literary Adventure in the World of Enis Batur
Step into the captivating realm of "La Maison aux livres," a novel by Turkish author Enis Batur. Although the book doesn't explicitly bear Batur's name, it shares striking similarities with works by literary greats like Jorge Luis Borges and Umberto Eco, who are renowned for their explorations of labyrinthine libraries and the mysteries they conceal.
In this spellbinding tale, we follow the enigmatic journey of a beleaguered writer, who, after a stint in Sarajevo, inherits a peculiar "Monsieur's" legacy– a unique "house of books," nestled amidst the slopes of Dragos Hill and boasting a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus. This architectural marvelfeatures thirty thousand books meticulously arranged in a glass fortress, complete with a solitary reading retreat for self-reflection and contemplation.
The plot unfolds into a twisted maze that engulfs the protagonist, transforming him into a solitary "paper man" teetering on the brink of madness. "The House of Books" seamlessly merges a skillfully crafted narrative with an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the life of a bibliophile: one who exists amidst the towering pages like a fisherman in the sea, an opium smoker with his pipe, or an acrobat in the void – a symbiotic environment sustaining them like oxygen. Hypnotized by the allure of books, the moral of the story is clear: succumb to the intoxicating power of literature, and you might become one of its "victims."
Consider yourself warned: once you enter "The House of Books," you may never wish to leave. Dive into this enchanting literary escapade and discover the enigmatic world of a bibliophile's life.
- Colombian novelist, Jorge Luis Borges, and Italian author, Umberto Eco, share striking similarities with Turkish novelist Enis Batur, all famously exploring labyrinthine libraries and their hidden mysteries in their works.
- Manguel, the beleaguered writer in "The House of Books," inherits a unique "house of books," meticulously arranged within a glass fortress on Dragos Hill, creating an environment where he thrives like an opium smoker with his pipe, or an acrobat in the void.
- Books boast a surreal influence over Manguel's life, engaging him in a solitary existence like a fisherman in the sea or a prisoner, making him a symbol of the "victims" of literature succumbing to its intoxicating power.
- The strange slope of Dragos Hill, where the "house of books" resides, offers a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus, representing an important auxiliary character of sorts, adding to the beauty of the literary entertainment provided by the story.
