Without a Country
Türkiye Germany

Without a Country

by Ayşe Kulin

Immigration Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Family Saga 2016

Summary

As Hitler’s persecution of Jews intensifies in 1930s Germany, medical professor Gerhard Schliemann and his wife, Elsa, face an impossible choice: remain in the country they call home or flee to protect their family. Their escape leads them to Turkey, where German Jewish academics are offered positions at universities and hospitals as the young republic works to modernise its institutions.

Although the Schliemanns find refuge and the opportunity to rebuild their lives, safety does not guarantee belonging. Across four generations, their descendants navigate political upheaval, military coups, interfaith relationships, and renewed antisemitism. As Turkey itself changes, the family must confront difficult questions about identity, loyalty, and what it means to belong to a country that may never fully accept them.

Spanning nearly a century, Without a Country is a multigenerational saga inspired by the real history of German-speaking Jewish academics who found refuge in Turkey during the Nazi era. Ayşe Kulin explores the complicated relationship between displacement and belonging, showing how the search for a safe home can shape a family’s destiny long after the original refugees are gone.

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About the author
Ayşe Kulin
Ayşe Kulin

Ayşe Kulin (born 1941) is a Turkish novelist, biographer, and screenwriter, widely regarded as one of Turkey’s most popular contemporary authors. Born in Istanbul, she studied at the American College for Girls and began her career working in journalism before moving into television, film production, and screenwriting. Her experience across different forms of storytelling has informed her vivid, character-driven novels, many of which explore the relationship between personal lives and historical events. Kulin has written numerous bestselling novels and biographies, often addressing Turkey’s complex history, social divisions, and cultural identity. Her novel Last Train to Istanbul (Nefes Nefese) was first published in Turkish in 2002 and later translated into English. The book draws on historical accounts of Turkish diplomats who helped Jewish refugees escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Her other notable works include Sevdalinka, about the Bosnian War, and Farewell, set during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Kulin has also served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in Turkey.

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Details
Published
2016
Author
Ayşe Kulin