The Dervish House - Historical Fiction Novel by Elif Shafak | Perfect for Book Clubs & Literary Enthusiasts

"The Dervish House" is a book about many things. It is a book about technology and the way that it can change a society. It is about religious belief. But more than anything, it is a book about Istanbul, and the deep connection that its inhabitants share with it.The book follows several different characters along several different plotlines. In the beginning, the only thing they have in common is the setting: an old building, the titular Dervish House, where most of the characters work or live. The connection between these different plotlines is almost nonexistent until 3/4 of the way through the book, but it never feels as if the novel is unfocused. The characters are sufficiently engaging that their stories are a pleasure to read, even if the reader spends a long time wondering the reason these characters are important.The science fiction elements of the story are well written and thought provoking. The future Istanbul that the author has concocted for this novel is fleshed-out, and the science fictional elements are presented realistically. New forms of technology are presented, yes, but the real-life implications of their implementation are just as important as their scientific justification, something many author fail to see, and in this sense the author does not disappoint. The Istanbul of "The Dervish House" feels feasible and real because the way the future affects Istanbul is specific to that city.However, inspired though the science fiction may be, the most important part of this novel is the way it recalls the Istanbul of the past. Istanbul is an old city, and it pulses with ancient wisdom and culture. The author has dutifully (and marvelously) captured the essence of this city in his novel. The citizens of Istanbul don't just live there; they are deeply connected to its every nook and cranny. One of the characters states that she would evaporate outside of Istanbul, and this can be taken as the mantra of most of the characters in the book. They need Istanbul almost as much as Istanbul needs them. The city is alive, and the characters are alive for being there. They ache for Istanbul, and by the end of the book, the reader does to.In fact, this feeling of yearning is so pervasive that at some points, the science fiction elements disappear altogether, or at least fade into the background. The author could remove them and still have a great, robust story to tell. This isn't to say that the sci-fi elements are bad (they're not), but this serves as a testament to the fact that the novel's setting, a character in and of itself, is well put together.This book is highly recommended, even to people who normally don't read Science Fiction. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to start looking up flights to Turkey,,,