Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature 'One of the greatest and most prophetic of political novelists.' Guardian Books of the Year 'Inspired and impassioned' New York Times 'Powerful, assured and engaging.' Irish Times A family gathers in the shadow of a revolution, until an outsider brings the action to their door As the political tension from Turkey's tumultuous struggle for modernity builds, an old widow Fatma waits with her faithful servant Recep for her grandchildren to descend for their annual visit. Faruk, a failed historian; his sensitive leftist sister, Nilgun; and Metin, a high school student who lives the fast life of the nouveaux riches while dreaming of escape. The arrival of Recep's nephew Hassan, who has recently fallen in with right-wing extremists, draws the family into the growing political cataclysm. As the country wavers towards tragedy, the family are forced to confront their past and decide where they stand.