Last Letter from Istanbul: Escape with this epic holiday read of secrets and forbidden love

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The house has been transformed into an army hospital, it is a prize of war in the hands of the British. And as Nur weaves through the streets carrying the embroideries that have become her livelihood, Constantinople swarms with Allied soldiers – a reminder of how far she and her city have fallen.

Book Review: Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley

An unassuming, kind, Scottish doctor has volunteered to serve at the local military hospital. This is the basis for a love story and dance of keeping within decorous rules which are constantly changing. Nur had never worn a veil, but it is now considered a sign of respectability in a woman who encounters the occupying enemy – even when he does her less harm than her own family. Also look out for Lucy Foley’s Sunday Times bestselling crime debut, THE HUNTING PARTY, available to buy now.* Pg 25 'Sometimes, now, the old life seems as remote as one read about in a book. But this afternoon it seems very close at hand, an assault of memory.'I really LOVE this author's stories. The plots can be confusing at first, but the stories are solid, especially the endings. It's nearer to literature than just a light read, I would say, but accessible enough for anyone to dive in and discover more of the world we are living in.

Last Letter from Istanbul: Escape with This Epic Holiday Read Last Letter from Istanbul: Escape with This Epic Holiday Read

In terms of characters, I didn’t really feel like any of them were very fleshed out. I didn’t feel invested in their lives and found them all to be forgettable. I felt totally apathetic towards them all. From beginning to end, this story had captured my heart. I felt broken at its end. This book will leave its mark on you: it's brave, heartbreakingly ordinary, and yet altogether timeless in its delicate exploration of a history that is not as lovely as you first think. Enjoy this: let yourself be swept away. I also found the tone of the book a little pretentious at times. I don’t know what it was exactly that bothered me; I think it was just trying too hard to be this piece of great literary fiction but it did not succeed. The writing got quite convoluted and irritating at times. History Makers: Female Writers Dominate the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Shortlist Occasionally it’s the author’s writing style that sweeps the reader to a particular time and place. Such is the case with Last Letter from Istanbul where Lucy Foley’s lyrical, evocative imaginings of life in 1921 in Istanbul (renamed Constantinople by the hated allied occupiers) whisks the reader to dusty streets, to the peaceful shade of quiet gardens, to a life changed forever by war. Nur is a resourceful young widow who, having been ousted from her life of luxury and still grieving for her beloved brother who is missing in action, now finds herself caring not only for her mother and grandmother, but also for an orphaned Armenian boy.Being a fan of Victoria Hislop’s books I was looking forward to reading Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley. Don’t miss Lucy Foley’s Sunday Times bestselling crime debut, THE HUNTING PARTY, available to buy now.* Lucy Foley's gorgeous elegant prose and the way she conjures up post war Constantinople makes this a beautiful, evocative and memorable read’ Lucinda Riley I did like how you were not really sure of who some of the characters were.........” the traveller”, “the prisoner”.....and I liked the reveal near the end. Now the shadow of war hangs over the city, and Nur lives for the protection of a young boy with a terrible secret. Stumbling through the streets, carrying the embroideries that have become her livelihood, she avoids the gazes of the Allied soldiers. Survival is everything.

Last Letter from Istanbul: Escape with this epic holiday read

The ending in particular I found quite poignant and the book itself left me feeling quite melancholy and pondering about what I’d just read. Lucy Foley is a very effective writer and it’s definately worth reading through until the end , until you see the bigger picture. Es una lectura algo fuerte, está escrita muy bonito y tiene descripciones muy bellas de cosas comunes, pero eso no le quita el ambiente triste que inunda la historia. Te presentan las múltiples interrogantes de un conflicto: ¿Existen soldados buenos y malos dependiendo del lado en que luchen? ¿Quién la tiene más difícil,los soldados o los civiles? ¿Es mejor para los prisioneros de guerra volver a casa y vivir con lo que pasó o morir? ¿Alguien alguna vez se recupera realmente de la guerra? It is a slow read and builds up a dramatic picture of war and humanity by the end. I liked the way it was written from the perspective of four people as this story of love amidst a landscape of conflicting cultures and how it tries to survive. The most precious thing in Nur’s new life is the orphan in her care – a boy with a terrible secret. When he falls dangerously ill Nur’s world becomes entwined with the enemy’s. She must return to where she grew up, and plead for help from Medical Officer George Monroe. I thought it was well written. I will look out for more books by this author as I have never read any of her books before now.As the pace increased the book became a very good read. I loved this book and found it really thought provoking.