Serenade for Nadia
Türkiye

Serenade for Nadia

by Zülfü Livaneli

Love & Passion Historical Fiction Romance Fiction 2020

Summary

Serenade for Nadia follows Maya Duran, a single mother working at Istanbul University who is asked to assist an elderly German-born professor, Maximilian Wagner, during his visit to Turkey. Initially puzzled by his unusual behaviour, Maya gradually discovers that his connection to Istanbul reaches back to the Second World War. Through his memories, she learns about a forbidden love story and the fate of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution aboard the ship Struma, which sank in 1942. As the past emerges, Maya confronts painful aspects of Turkish history and the human consequences of political decisions. Livaneli weaves together romance, historical tragedy, and contemporary social tensions, exploring how love can endure across decades while examining the responsibilities of remembering those whose lives were lost through war, prejudice, and indifference.

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About the author
Zülfü Livaneli
Zülfü Livaneli

Zülfü Livaneli is a celebrated Turkish novelist, musician, filmmaker, and political figure whose work often explores exile, identity, political oppression, and the complexities of Turkish history. His internationally acclaimed novels include Serenade for Nadia, My Brother’s Story, and The Disquiet. His writing combines intimate human stories with broader questions of memory, justice, and cultural conflict.

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Details
Published
2020
Author
Zülfü Livaneli