A Farewell To Imperial İstanbul by Ayşe Gülnev Osmanoğlu

Welcome to my stop on Rachel’s Random Resources tour! I’m excited to share a Q&A with the author with you. This is the second book in The Ottoman Dynasty Chronicles series and is available today! Many congratulations to the author on the new book! The first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful cover! I can picture it on my bookcase looking wonderful.

About the Book:

Set against the majestic backdrop of Imperial Istanbul in the aftermath of the First World War, A Farewell To Imperial Istanbul is a captivating tale of family, duty and the resilience of the human spirit.

Istanbul, 1922: As the Ottoman Empire crumbles in the wake of the Great War, the fate of the Imperial capital and the House of Osman come under threat. Emboldened following their victory in the Turkish War of Independence, the Turkish Nationalist Government in Ankara abolishes the Ottoman Sultanate, marking the end of over six centuries of Ottoman rule. The Ottoman Caliphate endures for now, but Istanbul, stripped of its Imperial mantle, mourns its lost glory. Prince Nihadfears for the nation and the fate of the Imperial family, while his son, Prince Vâsıb, envisions a hopeful future defined by peace following the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne.

As the new Republic of Türkiye emerges from the ashes of the once-mighty Ottoman Empire, Istanbul and the Ottoman Dynasty confront the crossroads of history, their destinies entwined with the shifting tides of the Bosphorus. Yet, amidst these perilous currents that separate East and West, where the deep waters threaten to engulf the city’s Imperial past and sweep away its soul embodied by the Imperial family, the Ottoman Dynasty must navigate a new and uncertain course.

The history of the Turks and their vast and powerful Empire has been intertwined with the Ottoman Dynasty for over six hundred years. But can the Imperial family survive the tempest of change as the world enters a new era?

 

Q&A:

Q. Do you have any quirky writing rituals or habits that help get you in the creative zone?

A. I do have a couple! I keep a couple of old family photographs of my main characters on my desk. When I am imagining how they might feel or think in a certain situation, I stare into their eyes for inspiration, and often it feels like they whisper back to me. I also sometimes play music composed by certain characters. This helps transport me back in time, like stepping into their world and listening to their voices.

 

Q. How do you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling when crafting your narrative?

A. I am naturally more of an historian than a storyteller, so I do find balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling a challenge. When I start a new project, I dive into conducting extensive research to fully understand the historical context, setting, and characters. This takes me months, if not years, as I always seem to get dragged down rabbit holes and wander off at tangents! Once I have a solid foundation, I try to weave a compelling narrative around these historical elements. I strive to remain true to the spirit of the era and the nature of the characters while infusing the story with life and imagination.

 

Q. In what ways does the setting of Imperial İstanbul play a character role in your story?

A. The setting of Imperial İstanbul is integral to my story, as it forms its backdrop and showcases the grandeur and power of the once-mighty Ottoman Empire. I wanted İstanbul to speak to readers as a living character, captivating them with its unique beauty – the elegance of the mosques’ domes and minarets, the majestic splendour of the Imperial Palaces and waterfront mansions, and the vibrant colours of the ancient trees and blossoming flowers. Anyone who has visited the city knows that it pulses with life through the melodious sound of the muezzin’s call to prayer, the shriek of seagulls, and the echo of street vendors, while the air is filled with the evocative scents of incense, rosewater, jasmine, and exotic spices. And flowing through its heart, ever constant, are the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus. Imperial İstanbul is very much a living, breathing entity, with an allure that I hope will capture the imagination of the readers and inspire them to visit one day.

 

Q. If you could invite one character from your book to join you for dinner, who would it be and what would you ask them?

A. I would invite my main protagonist, Prince Ali Vâsıb, my beloved grandfather. Sadly, he died before I fully understood the magnitude of what he suffered during his life in exile. If I could spend a few moments with him again, I would ask for his blessing to share his inner-most thoughts, feelings, and memories in the way that I have.

Q. What's your favourite place in İstanbul for finding inspiration for your writing?

A. My favourite place in İstanbul for finding inspiration is the Çırağan Palace. It is now a luxurious hotel with breath-taking views of the Bosphorus, but it was once my family’s home. It is where my grandfather and great-grandfather were born, so it is perhaps the place where I feel most connected to my roots. Whenever I am there, I feel transported back to the splendour of Imperial İstanbul, and it never fails to ignite my imagination.

 

Q. What's the best book-related advice you've ever received, and how has it influenced your writing journey?

A. The best book-related advice I have ever received is to stop procrastinating and just start writing! I was also encouraged to write for myself, not for others. Both these pieces of advice pushed me to overcome self-doubt and perfectionism. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or seeking validation from others, I have learnt to trust my voice and enjoy the process of recording my family’s story.

 

Q. What's the most memorable feedback or reaction you've received from a reader about your writing?

A. I am so lucky to have an incredibly supportive group of readers who loved my debut novel, The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus. Their feedback and reactions gave me the encouragement and self-belief to write this second book. One wrote a review stating, “This is, without any doubt, one of the best books I have ever read,” which still feels totally surreal to me! Another reader enjoyed the book so much that she asked for a signed copy with a Turkish dedication made out to her son, which touched me deeply. In fact, this small group of readers has become my ARC team for A Farewell To Imperial İstanbul, and they are currently reading proof copies of my book. I am eager, and I must admit also a little nervous, to see if they enjoy it as much as the last one...

 

About the Author:

Ayşe Gülnev Osmanoğlu is a member of the Ottoman Imperial family, being descended from Sultan Murad V through her grandfather, and from Sultan Mehmed V (Mehmed Reşad) through her grandmother. After reading History and Politics at the University of Exeter, she obtained an M.A. in Turkish Studies from SOAS, University of London, where she specialised in Ottoman History. Her debut novel, The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus was published in 2020.

Ayşe Osmanoğlu lives between Türkiye, France and the United Kingdom with her husband, five children and two cats. Her research and literary works concentrate on the late Ottoman period, exploring narratives embedded in her imperial heritage.

Keep in touch on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/ayseosmanogluauthor

https://www.instagram.com/aysegulnevsultan/

https://twitter.com/AyseGulnev

Author Website: www.ayseosmanoglu.com