The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

A powerful and beautifully layered novel about family, identity, memory and the complicated history of Turkey. The story follows Asya, a nineteen-year-old living in an all-female household in Istanbul, and Armanoush, her Armenian-American cousin who travels to Turkey searching for her roots.

As their lives become intertwined, long-hidden family secrets begin to surface, connecting the present with a painful and turbulent past. A compelling choice for readers who enjoy literary fiction, family stories and historical themes