Madonna in a Fur Coat Paperback – 4 March 2021

In the realm of books, there are some that I'd shout from the rooftops for everyone to read, and then there are the ones I clutch close to my heart, gatekeep them selfishly, just for myself. Am I odd to feel this way?A few days ago, I saw a post about this book on Instagram. It felt like theft, as though someone ate my favourite piece of chocolate. I know that is irrational of me, it's been ages the book released and many people have read it. Yet, I wanted to keep the experience of reading it within me for a little longer, cocooned in the notion that it was meant just to be mine.It is a story of love and yearning, pure and unadulterated, with the ache of missed opportunities. It's about this quiet guy, Raif, a quiet dreamer who favored the realms of his imagination over the concrete world, falling in love with a woman in a painting. And eventually, with the woman who painted it.I don't know what exactly made me feel so deeply about this one. Was it Raif's peculiarities that made me feel seen, or Maria's reluctance to believe in the possibility of companionship? Perhaps it was Ali's lyrical and introspective prose, each word carefully woven like work of an artisan, that lingered and gave a glimpse of the innermost thoughts and desires of his characters. Maybe it's the surprising shift in gender roles for that time which caught me off-guard. And yes, there's also my affinity towards tragic romances. It's probably all these elements that left me so moved.This book is as special as they come. It makes you yearn for the kind of love and devotion Raif and Maria had. The desire for someone to hold your hand with that kind of tenderness, gazing into your eyes as though they hold the universe's greatest secrets. (I know, that's a bit much, but you get my point)Asking you to share this book would again go against my attempt to gatekeep it but I would ask you to share it with that one person you know who feels the matters of heart a little extra, that one Heer bin Ranjha or Juliet without Romeo. If you happen to fall in that category, please make space for Raif and Maria in your heart❤️

in sabahattin ali's "madonna in the fur coat," readers are transported into a world of profound emotion and unfulfilled love. the novel, originally published in 1943, tells the story of raif efendi, a turkish man who moves to berlin and becomes entangled in a poignant and tragic romance with a mysterious woman.the narrative unfolds as raif efendi reflects on his past, revealing a tale of passion, cultural clashes, and the enduring impact of love. sabahattin ali's exquisite prose captures the complexities of human emotions, painting a vivid portrait of characters grappling with societal expectations and personal desires."in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." this line resonates with the overarching theme of missed connections and the silent, unexpressed feelings that shape the characters' destinies."madonna in the fur coat" stands as a timeless classic, celebrated for its exploration of love's transformative power and the lasting impressions it leaves on the human soul. sabahattin ali's evocative storytelling invites readers to reflect on the intricate dance between love and loss, making this novel an enduring and poignant work of literature.

Easy to read and beautifully written

If you're looking for a typical romance novel then it ain't your cup of tea.

When i was reading Madonna in a fur coat i had a thousand other things prying over my thoughts. But as i flipped through the pages, say after the author is smitten with this surreal, quiet, mysterious man Effendi, it is like i couldn't think or hear anything outside of the beautiful prose of Sabhatin Ali (and imagine, this is translated!). The author cripples all deviating thoughts, emotions. A story of loss, and contemplation, this book is perhaps the finest books i have ever read in any genre. And its not just the story that remains with you, forever, but the two central characters, and the terrifying, tiring, splendid journey of life.This is the shortest piece of paradise, go for it!

SIMPLY "AMAZING"

Slightly damaged cover. Packages should be handled nicely.

couldn't go beyond a few pages