Falling Leaves [Yaprak Dökümü]

Synopsis

Resat Nuri Guntekin (1889-1956) published Yaprak Dokumu in 1930. It's a tragicomic novel of bourgeois life in a rapidly changing Istanbul. The novel magnificently and richly depicts Turkish family and work life under stresses caused by the rapid introduction of modern and European norms. The hero, Master Ali Riza, an idealistic ex civil servant who translates business documents for the firm of Goldleaf Limited, leaves the firm out of profound moral scruples, and this leads to extreme financial stresses on his family.