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The event with Berlin-based, award-winning author Fatma Aydemir, in conversation with Anna Metcalfe about her novel Djinns, took place in association with Peirene Press.
Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights into Fatma's writing process, participate in a lively Q&A, and hear excerpts from her book, Djinns.
The event was held at Cheltenham Library on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It was a fantastic evening, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Fatma Aydemir’s work.
A special thank you to Anna Metcalfe, whose thoughtful conversation with Fatma provided a deeper understanding of the novel. We also extend our thanks to Peirene Press for their collaboration in making this event possible.
About Anna Metcalfe
Anna Metcalfe, born in Germany, has garnered recognition for her short fiction, which has been featured in The Best of British Short Stories, The Dublin Review, and Lighthouse Journal, among others. Her work has been shortlisted for the Bridport Short Story Prize and the Sunday Times Short Story Award.
Anna's debut novel, Chrysalis, was published in 2023 by Granta, and she was selected for the Granta Best of Young British Novelists list in the same year. She is currently a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.
About Djinns
Djinns tells the story of Hüseyin, who has worked for thirty years in Germany, taking every extra shift and carefully saving his earnings to provide for his wife and four children. At long last, he has enough to buy an apartment in Istanbul – a new home for his family and a place where he plans to retire.
But just as this future is within his grasp, Hüseyin’s tired heart fails him. His family rushes to his side, each of his children traveling from Germany by plane and car, each of them processing their relationship with their parents and each other. Djinns is a poignant portrait of a family at the close of the 20th century, rich with secrets, questions, silence, and love. It draws comparisons to the works of Bernardine Evaristo and Zadie Smith in its exploration of family dynamics and identity.
We thank Fatma Aydemir for sharing her brilliant novel with us and for providing such an insightful evening.
Reserve the book - https://gloucestershire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=1526300
Reserve the eBook - https://gloucestershire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=1665456
