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Birds Without Wings

By Louis de Bernières
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières is a sweeping historical novel set in a small village in Anatolia during the early 20th century, amidst the backdrop of the waning Ottoman Empire and the rise of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's new Turkey. It intricately weaves together the lives of Christians and Muslims as it explores themes of love, war, and the see-sawing transformations of identity and community. With richly detailed characters, it paints a poignant picture of lives reshaped by the forces of history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're captivated by intricately woven historical tales set against the backdrop of a small village in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire. This richly detailed narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the impact of war on everyday lives, making it a poignant choice for those who appreciate multi-layered stories with vivid characters and evocative settings.

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Birds Without Wings

Set against the backdrop of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, Birds Without Wings traces the fortunes of one small community in south-west Anatolia - a town in which Christian and Muslim lives and traditions have co-existed peacefully for centuries.

'Captivating and compelling. A masterpiece' Independent on Sunday

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Set against the backdrop of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli campaign and the subsequent bitter struggle between Greeks and Turks, Birds Without Wings traces the fortunes of one small community in south-west Anatolia—a town in which Christian and Muslim lives and traditions have co-existed peacefully for centuries.

When war is declared and the outside world intrudes, the twin scourges of religion and nationalism lead to forced marches and massacres, and the peaceful fabric of life is destroyed. Philothei, a Christian girl of legendary beauty, and Ibrahim the Goatherd, who has courted her since infancy, are but two of the many casualties.

With the end of a community that once transcended religious differences, their great love seems destined to end in tragedy and madness...

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières has been praised for its ambitious and poetic narrative, considered even more impressive than his earlier work, Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Critics laud its captivating blend of horror, humour, and human experience, with some describing it as a magnificent and sublime piece of writing. The novel is noted for its artistic achievement and imaginative depth, drawing favourable comparisons to the works of Steinbeck.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099478980

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 July 2005

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 463g

Pages: 640

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Featured Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction Louis de Bernières New Release Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

Louis de Berni res is the best-selling author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. His most recent novels are Birds Without Wings and A Partisan's Daughter.

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