Bliss (2002)
A bestseller in Turkey in 2002, Bliss has been published in more than 11 countries including by St. Martin’s Press in USA, Gallimard in France, Klett-Cotta in Germany, and Gramese in Italy.
The novel was turned into a movie in 2007, directed by the acclaimed Turkish director, Abdullah Oguz.
Praise for “Bliss”
“Bliss is fresh, original, and warm-hearted, the work of a cosmopolitan insider and multi-talented artist.” – Louis de Bernieres
“Bliss is eye-opening and deeply moving” – Kirkus Review (Starred)
“A gripping, contemporary story that gets behind stereotypes of exotic Islam to reveal the diversity in individual people and the secrets and lies, cruelty and love, in family, friendship, and public life. This will make a terrific book club selection.” – American Library Association’s Booklist Journal (USA)
“An excellent novel!” – Theo Angelopoulos
“A lyrical novel by Livaneli” – Hugh Pope (Wall Street Journal)
“The intersecting destinies of the three heroes in Bliss present a portrait of Turkey, both tender and compassionate. I’m sure that (these characters) will have a deep- influence on the French readers just as they have conquered more than a hundred thousand Turks.” – Former President Jacques Chirac of France
‘BLISS’, THE MOVIE in 2007
“Critic’s Pick! Breathtaking! Beautifully acted, visually intoxicating.” – New York Times
“Daring and powerful! Riveting… Mesmerizing.” – Los Angeles Times
“A lyrical, Artful film” – Chicago Sun-Times
“Critic’s pick! Gripping and supremely engaging.” – New York Magazine
Winner of the Barnes & Noble ‘Discovery of Great New Writers Awar
SYNOPSIS:
MERYEM, a young girl sentenced to death because she is believed to have dishonoured her family; Cemal, a soldier who returns from fighting the PKK in the Ghabar Mountains to find that he’s been given the task of killing his cousin, Meryem; and Professor Irfan, a well-known intellectual in the midst of an existential crisis, all brought together by fate, embark on a turbulent journey to the depths of themselves, of each other, and of the soul of the country.