The House in Smyrna by Tatiana Salem Levy

The House in Smyrna

Tatiana Salem Levy

Short narrative strands twist and turn together with unnamed characters that force you to skip back and reread to try and understand what’s going on. Yet amongst the confusion, the writing is emotionally powerful and beautiful, as it moves gracefully from moments of sexual intimacy and violence to vivid travelogues. Difficult, but well worth the effort.

Extract
I was born in exile, and that’s why I am the way I am, without a homeland, without a name. That is why I am solid, unpolished, still rough. I was born away from myself, away from my land - but, when it comes down to it, who am I? What land is mine?
Parallels
  • The Other Side of the Mountain by Erendiz Atasu
  • Nine Nights by Bernardo Carvalho
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Violence
Explicit sexual Content