Mediterranean

Panait Istrati is perhaps one of the most neglected authors in the World Classics series. Today, when everyone can name at least a few books from Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy and Balzac, unfortunately Panait Istrati is not known to the same extent compared to his sincerity, trust in humanity and hope. See what Istrati herself says about Belma Aksun's Mediterranean novel, which we brought to our readers in exquisite Turkish: Why are we so sensitive about goodness triumphing over evil? Why do we rejoice in the defeat of the dishonorable? Because we are born good. But this victory and this defeat should be proven to people in real life, not in novels, theater and screens. This is what is done very rarely, once in a thousand. There are two reasons why it is rarely done: Although man is primarily born good, he is also a conceited, arrogant, selfish creature. Because it is so difficult to act generously in life, the vast majority of people do exactly the opposite. However, throughout my life - it was a very painful life - the only action I did as completely as I could was to overcome this difficulty, that is, to act generously. Yes, today, when my life is at the mercy of the slightest cold, yes, in front of everyone, I can say this openly: Search my life, you will find everything you want against me, but that flaw that brings disaster to humanity; You cannot find selfishness. That's my Adrien Zograffi. Adrien, for example, proves that one does not necessarily have to be reckless or virtuous in order to be able or have to live generously and manfully. Because generosity and bravery satisfy and give pleasure to the soul more than selfishness. Life is not beautiful when it is only safe from misery in the midst of universal suffering, or when it is lived in a magnificent villa, surrounded by beautiful women, sycophantic friends, super limousines, beautiful dogs, like most of the artists and moralists in today's apocalyptic environment. Perhaps life is better when, as almost everyone does, after having had all the opportunities and even pleasure, you die on dry wood with a conscience free from any burden of shame. Because it is possible to live without roads, electricity and even hygiene, but it is not possible to live without clean souls.

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

First Print Year: 2015

Language: Turkish