Şehribanu TuranThe June edition of Turkish Bookshelf brought together an engaged and thoughtful audience at Yunus Emre Institute – London to explore Ayfer Tunç’s striking novel The Highly Unreliable Account of the History of a Madhouse, translated into English by Feyza Howell and published by Istros Books.
Set within a provincial psychiatric hospital on 14 February 2007, the novel begins as a seemingly contained narrative but rapidly expands beyond the physical and temporal limits of its setting. Through fragmented memories, historical asides, and richly drawn characters, Tunç constructs a literary landscape that stretches across centuries — from the late Ottoman era to Republican Türkiye, through wars, reforms, and ideological ruptures. In doing so, the novel becomes a kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation’s collective memory, told through the lens of a single, surreal day.
We were honoured to host the novel’s translator, Feyza Howell, whose presence added immeasurable depth to the evening. She shared not only the technical and emotional intricacies of rendering Tunç’s layered prose into English, but also her own experiences as a translator navigating ambiguity, satire, and cultural specificity. Her candid reflections sparked meaningful discussion among attendees, ranging from questions of linguistic rhythm to the politics of voice in translation.
The Institute was also delighted to welcome representatives from Istros Books, the UK publisher of the novel, whose contributions highlighted the importance of independent publishing in building bridges between languages and literary traditions. The collaborative nature of bringing such a complex and stylistically daring work to an English-speaking readership was made tangible through this rare gathering of translator, publisher, and readers in one room.
As with every Turkish Bookshelf event, the evening moved between formal discussion and informal exchange. Following the talk, participants enjoyed refreshments including traditional Turkish treats, continuing their conversations in a more relaxed setting — many lingering well beyond the scheduled time, a testament to the book’s impact and the openness of the space created.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Feyza Howell, Istros Books, and all who attended and engaged with the conversation. Events like this demonstrate how literature — especially in translation — can serve as a meeting ground for layered perspectives, emotional resonance, and intercultural dialogue.
Turkish Bookshelf will return next month with another title that brings the richness of Turkish literature to London’s diverse reading community.
