Yashar Kemal Criticism
Yashar Kemal, born Yașar Kemal Gökçeli in 1922, is a towering figure in Turkish literature, acclaimed for his vivid portrayals of rural Anatolian life and for his compassionate exploration of the human condition. His oeuvre includes novels, short stories, essays, and poetry, all deeply rooted in the landscapes and social dynamics of South Anatolia, particularly the Chukurova Plain. Kemal's debut novel, Ince Memed, known in English as Memed, My Hawk, earned him international acclaim with its epic narrative that intertwines traditional Turkish myths with the harsh realities of agrarian life. This work, along with others, reflects his leftist political stance and support for Turkish peasantry, themes highlighted by Stanley Reynolds, who discusses the oppression and poverty faced by these communities in his analysis here.
Despite facing censorship and governmental persecution due to his political views, Kemal's narratives remain unwavering in their humanity. His later work, The Lords of Akchasaz: Murder in the Ironsmiths Market, shifts focus to the wealthier classes, examining the tensions between tradition and modernity in the Chukurova region, as noted by a Kirkus Reviews critique. Kemal's psychological depth is further exemplified in Seagull, a narrative about a boy's quest to save a seagull, which Peter Lewis highlights in his review. These works underscore Kemal's epic ambition, vivid imagery, and profound social commentary that cement his status as a pivotal figure in both Turkish and global literature.
Kemal is often regarded as Turkey's most prominent novelist, with his narratives deeply ingrained in the rural life and the resilient spirit of Anatolian society. His lyrical prose style is evident in works like The Undying Grass, where Talat Sait Halman praises its epic scope. Critics such as Katha Pollitt have noted his ability to humanize the Turkish peasant experience for Western audiences, while Iron Earth, Copper Sky showcases his mastery of incorporating setting as a vital narrative element, as highlighted by Peter Prince. However, some critics, like Larry Rohter, point out that translation issues might affect the dialogue's authenticity. His works are frequently compared to those of Hardy, Tolstoy, and Faulkner, as argued by Paul Theroux, underscoring their profound insights into social and political themes, which have made Kemal a perennial candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Contents
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Kemal, Yashar (Vol. 14)
- TalâT Sait Halman
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Intramural
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In the following essay, Prince highlights Yashar Kemal's masterful use of setting in Iron Earth, Copper Sky, arguing that the landscapes and natural elements are central to the narrative, shaping events and serving as a crucial character within the story.
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Turkish Delight
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In the following essay, Paul Theroux argues that Yashar Kemal's novels, particularly "They Burn the Thistles," offer a detailed and epic depiction of Turkey, drawing comparisons to Hardy, Tolstoy, and Faulkner, and asserts that Kemal deserves greater recognition and readership, particularly in the United States.
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World Literature in Review: 'The Undying Grass'
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In the following essay, Talat Sait Halman praises Yashar Kemal's The Undying Grass for its epic narrative and profound exploration of human resilience, highlighting it as a masterwork that epitomizes Kemal's storytelling prowess and the thematic focus on the enduring spirit of Anatolians amidst adversity.
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'The Undying Grass'
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In the following essay, Larry Rohter critiques Yashar Kemal's The Undying Grass for its awkward and artificial dialogue, which detracts from the novel's exploration of social and political themes, intimating that the translation may be at fault.
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Turkish Trouble
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In the following essay, Katha Pollitt argues that Yashar Kemal's novels, particularly "The Undying Grass," compellingly depict the harsh and vibrant peasant life in Turkey's Taurus Mountains, offering American readers a richly detailed and humanized view of the Muslim world, albeit through sometimes ponderous prose akin to Faulkner's.
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World Literature in Review: 'Kușlar da Gitti'
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In the following essay, Talat Sait Halman examines "Kușlar da Gitti" as a compact yet powerful work by Yashar Kemal, highlighting its lyrical style, universal themes, and the metaphorical use of birds to symbolize societal challenges and aspirations for freedom within the Turkish context.
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Turkish Delights
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In the following essay, Anthony Thwaite explores Yashar Kemal's "Iron Earth, Copper Sky," highlighting its setting in a timeless, primitive Antalya, and its blend of fiction and legend, while critiquing the leisurely pacing and the juxtaposition of naïveté and sophistication in Kemal's narrative style.
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Kemal, Yashar (Vol. 29)
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Weirdies
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In the following essay, Stanley Reynolds explores how Yashar Kemal's Anatolian Tales conveys the harsh realities of oppression and poverty with a timeless prose style, highlighting the enduring human spirit amidst terror and misery, while contrasting these themes with the often abstract cruelty of Western avant-garde literature.
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On Czech Lines
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In the following essay, Kenneth Graham examines Yashar Kemal's Anatolian Tales, highlighting its depiction of a harsh Turkish society through vivid storytelling that balances brutality and fleeting moments of joy, revealing timeless human truths in a unique setting.
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Time-Wasting
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In the following essay, Duncan Fallowell critiques Yashar Kemal's romantic and passionate portrayal of the nomads' plight in Central Turkey, suggesting that while the themes are timeless, the narrative is marred by an overly serious tone and lacks the humor found in similar cultural narratives.
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Dwindling Tribes
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In the following essay, John Mellors critiques Yashar Kemal's use of vivid imagery in "The Legend of the Thousand Bulls," while appreciating its powerful depiction of a nomadic tribe's struggle to balance tradition and adaptation in 20th-century Turkey.
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Nomad's Land
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In the following essay, David Wilson examines Yashar Kemal's The Legend of the Thousand Bulls, highlighting its epic prose style, rich language, and irony, as it explores the struggles and cultural richness of Turcoman nomads in search of winter pasture.
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A review of "The Lords of Akchasaz: Murder in the Ironsmiths Market"
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The critic explores Yashar Kemal's novel "The Lords of Akchasaz: Murder in the Ironsmiths Market," highlighting its depiction of the clash between tradition and modernity in Turkey's Chukurova plains, emphasizing its dramatic storytelling and vivid portrayal of a mythic, blood-drenched civilization.
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A review of "The Lords of Akchasaz: Part I, Murder in the Ironsmiths Market"
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In the following essay, the critic examines Yashar Kemal's novel "The Lords of Akchasaz: Part I, Murder in the Ironsmiths Market," highlighting its depiction of the demise of traditional ways on Turkey's Chukurova Plain, where the old values clash with modernity amidst a longstanding blood feud between wealthy landowners.
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Turkish Tales
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In the following essay, A. G. Mojtabai explores Yashar Kemal's novel "Seagull," highlighting its archetypal themes of grounding and transcendence through a young boy's journey amid political and social observations, while admiring Kemal's traditional storytelling style and the fairytale elements that enrich the narrative.
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Getting the Bird in Turkey
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In the following essay, Peter Lewis examines Yashar Kemal's The Saga of a Seagull, highlighting its exploration of the symbolic relationship between a boy and a seagull to illustrate themes of innocence versus experience, the impact of societal cruelty, and the enduring strength of creativity and resilience.
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The Lords of Akchasaz: Part I, Murder in the Ironsmiths Market
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In the following essay, Talat Sait Halman compares Yashar Kemal's work to the Homeric epic, emphasizing his significant role in Turkish fiction and lauding "The Lords of Akchasaz" for its vivid portrayal of social upheaval and faith in a just society for the Anatolian peasant.
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Weirdies
(summary)