Çalikuşu (the Wren): The Complete English Translation

Calikusu by Resat Nuri Guntekin (The Wren) translated part five by Tugrul Zure and Angel Garcia will bring closing and peace for those who loved this story and the Lovebird Turkish movie.This classical love story is deeply moving as Guntekin seemed inspired by Sufi poetry and philosophy of love. His references to Laila and Majnun love story by Nizami Ganjavi and to Rumi through the Sufi Mevlevi music Sheikh are indices exemplified further by Faride’s qualities of heart referring to spiritual chivalry.As in all great love stories, the lover forget itself and disappears in the presence of the beloved. Feride in her journal sees Karam’s image in every moment, in everything, everywhere, just like Majnun could only see Laila. The lover dies to herself in the presence of the beloved. This symbolism is deeply mystical referring to the presence of the divine (God, Allah or whatever name) with each breath in the lover’s heart.He reminded me of many such stories like Heer & Ranjha by Warris Shah, Shah Jahan & Muntaz (Taj Mahal), Mirza & Sahiba, Sassui & Punnhun, Romeo & Juliet, etc...Feride rejects any attempt to bring any focus on herself as she only exists for her beloved Karam even if it cannot be materialized in reality. Karam is so immersed in that refined feeling of love that he fails to recognize it as one become used to the refined grass scent in the mountain and stops smelling it. It is only when he lost it that he realized it.For those who need closing, it is great to read the book. The film is well done but it is only half of the story.The second part in Anatolia is marvelous showing Feride’s attempt to be independent in 1920 Turkey. This is a very important part of the story before Ataturk bringing secularity and providing more opportunities to equality and empowerment for women, in that aspect Feride is revolutionary as a teacher in a deeply patriarcal, traditional and religious country.I loved the movie and the book touched me so deeply that I started crying waiting in line in a supermarket as I was thinking about Feride and Karam. The cashier was certainly confused to see this 70 years old in tears.

I am also a fan of the Lovebird series on Netflix. I was so disappointed that they ended the series without resolution. I had been wanting to read the ending of the story and was so happy to find this copy that Angel and Tugrul published. I enjoyed reading the book. It was interesting to see how the book differed from the series. Feride represents an even stronger feminist character in the book. Thanks again for publishing and translating this enthralling story for all the fans of the show and for all those interested in Turkish culture.

I have always wanted to read this book (I just didn’t prefer to read the Turkish version), but the English translation wasn’t available till 2018 or 2019– right when I was wishing for the English translation of the book—I saw it on here and felt elated to finally have found it. Someone commented and brought down the rating of the book which is unfortunate, it seems that person is unaware that shows are often based on books, and are subpar versions of them; the original series which was filmed in 1985 comprised of missing characters (to maintain ‘political correctness’) whereas the 2013-14 remake made up fictional characters to drag on the storyline, resorting to all sorts of frivolity; they have even ruined the actual English translation of the name Çalıkuşu (Wren) and gave it a rather cheesy title. After reading the book, you will not want to watch the 2014 remake. This book is the real deal of the main character, Feride’s dignified character and journey of life defining one’s identity and a woman’s place in a depraved society.

Just like so many CaliKusu fans( just like your dear mother Angel Garcia), I too ,fell in love with Kamaran and Feride and was so rest less after watching that abrupt ending on Netflix television series and looking for a complete translation of the book in English, to find out how it really ended?How Kamaran and Feride reconcile with each other?Did she forgive her first and only love? and so many other questions. Even though parts 1-4 translated from Turkish Novel by Sir Wyndham Deeds,it was difficult to find ,besides I wasn't that interested in it ,in which part-5 was left out ,where Feride goes back to visit her family. I was wishing and hoping somebody would think about translating part-5 of the novel to English . Often checked Wikipedia for information regarding this and got so excited to find out that it's been done in September ,2018 finally!! I immediately searched for it on Amazon ,ordered it and already finished reading it.Thanks from the Bottom Of Our Hearts to Tugrul Zure & Angel Garcia for your hard work ,long hours of research you both dedicated to translate and to edit the most important part of the novel so beautifully and most of all ,thanks for putting our Minds and souls at peace!!!

I read Çalikuşu when I was a kid, many years ago, and when I picked it up now I wasn't certain it was going to be as enthralling as I remember it to be. well, apparently, I was in for a wonderful surprise. At forty years of age I enjoyed this story as much as back when I was ten, found it truly authentic, enriching in that it offered a completely foreign different culture while entertaining with a lovely original genuine storyline, with characters I found easy to understand, sympathize, grow attached to (well, Feride mostly, she was the heart and the soul of the story, but she held it well enough without the need to have other strongly developed characters).When the novel ended I felt that I didn't have enough, not even near!

I enjoyed the book. I wanted to read the complete story of Feride’s struggles and achievements as an unmarried female school teacher in early 1900s Turkey. I watched Calikusu on Netflix and liked the character. The series ended before she left Istanbul to teach in Anatolia .

I purchased this book after watching the series. Very nice read. Thanks to the translators for all the hard work they did to put it together. It takes us back to Contantinopolis at the beginning of the 19th century.

Loved this book but I saw the TV show first and apart from the names being the same and Frerides personality being the same it is a completely different story but just as good as TV show, loved it.

la motivación de la traductora y su compañero de trabajo para regalarle a su madre el final de una serie turca que termino en su idioma original trunca, una fácil lectura encantada de leer un final completo!

Ich hatte vor Jahren die türkische Serie geguckt und wollte unbedingt den Roman dazu lesen. Die Geschichte war ganz okay. Hat mir einen Einblick in die Türkei der 20er Jahre verschafft aber der Roman ist etwas anderes als die Serie.

For all those addicted to the series and need to know what happened at that train station def a good way to get some sort of closure. Not entirely same storyline but the book was just as enjoyable and was still lovely to read of Kamran and Feride's relationship and its ups and downs. Would def recommend.

I had heard about the novel years ago but this was my first read. It was compulsive reading and I could not put the book down. It is a beautiful description of life in Istanbul in the 1920s and the difference between attitudes and education in Anatolia compared to Istanbul. It is a beautiful story about love. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in turkish literature . Shule