Labyrinth

Written by Burhan Sönmez

Narrated by Brad Sanders

From a prize-winning Turkish novelist, a heady, political tale of one man’s search for identity and meaning in Istanbul after the loss of his memory.

A blues singer, Boratin, attempts suicide by jumping off the Bosphorus Bridge, but opens his eyes in the hospital. He has lost his memory, and can't recall why he wished to end his life. He remembers only things that are unrelated to himself, but confuses their timing. He knows that the Ottoman Empire fell, and that the last sultan died, but has no idea when. His mind falters when remembering civilizations, while life, like a labyrinth, leads him down different paths.

From the confusion of his social and individual memory, he is faced with two questions. Does physical recognition provide a sense of identity? Which is more liberating for a man, or a society: knowing the past, or forgetting it?

Embroidered with Borgesian micro-stories, Labyrinth flows smoothly on the surface while traversing sharp bends beneath the current.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094416458

Burhan Sönmez

Burhan Sönmez is the author of four novels, which have been published in more than thirty languages. He was born in Turkey and grew up speaking Turkish and Kurdish. He worked as a lawyer in Istanbul before moving to Britain as a political exile. Sönmez’s writing has appeared in various newspapers, such as The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, and La Repubblica. He now divides his time between Istanbul and Cambridge.

Reviews for Labyrinth

[Karen Chandler · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was OK. But I struggled to finish this book.

[Beverly Ully · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author is certainly a master of words! I never wanted it to end. I will listen to it again. I didn’t realize that prose could be poetry. Thank you to the translator. Without this translation I would have missed something beautiful. I hope there will be more.

[Elena · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful narration great book contemplating life and death, beautiful description of Istanbul

[Rachel Bretherton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have never read a book this engaging, this interesting and with such a good story! Amazing book!

[Aqua Molly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book really changes your perspective about yourself. It’s great, I recommend

[Mary Rose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a gorgeous, thoughtful, and haunting book. Loved the narration too. His voice gives the words a beautiful tone. Highly recommend!

[memechel · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The importance of a good narration can’t be understated. Who gave this dude the job?? Better yet who approved the final edit??? I couldn’t get through it.

[Hermes · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Unsuitable mix

Writing: 4/5 I will read a text version instead.

Narration: 3.5/5 or 1/5 it depends. Great voice for a Tennessee Williams anthology, but out of place here. For me, choice of narrator makes or breaks an audio book. It's not the most important factor, writing is, and lastly content are. But if the narrator's voice irritates me in any way, I cannot listen. This man is totally misplaced. I expected to hear a Turkish-accented 30-year old and instead got a 45 year-old American who sounds black. It's like listening to Shakespeare in Vietnamese

Content: ?/5 Didn't give it enough time to know