Madonna in a Fur Coat: A Novel Kindle Edition

I gave this an enthusiastic 5 stars. This is not a happy fluffy novel, it is more akin to a great Shakespearean tragedy. Love against great odds, love lost and true love that conquers all. I can see why this is has been a classic for so many decades.The characters are all seriously flawed but they find love, respect and salvation at least for a time.I read an article in the BBC magazine which prompted me to read this book [...]... In the article they confirm that the story may be autobiographical to some extent. The author did meet a woman for whom he had a great passion while he was in Germany. The letters he wrote to her from prison were discovered amongst his effects.I have to say the characters and their story have stayed with me. I come back to the story over and over through out my day even several days later after having finished reading the book.

This is a novel about a woman, as the title makes clear - but even more: about her affect on a man, who then wrote about it. It does not have a happy ending.It is about Turkey and Berlin after WWI - when both had been destroyed and were trying to put themselves back together - unsuccessfully, as it later turned out.The writer asks a lot of fundamental questions - not the kind most people want to think about. It will never be made into a movie - although it certainly would make a good one.

One of the best books of Sabahattin Ali who unfortunately was shot by the police when he was escaping from Turkey into Bulgaria. The psychological effect of the self portrait of the Madonna in the fur coat in the museum in Berlin describes the character of its constant observer and his relation with the painter herself.

Total revelation. Transporting, transcendental. You won't be able to put it down. If you want to understand how a Turkish man feels, if you have some literary aspirations, if you are a romantic. You will LOVE IT

Everyone has their own reading style and appreciation for a story. This is a well respected writer in Turkish literature that has stood the test of time.I enjoyed the book. I understand some may not share my tastes, but thankfully we are all different and free to choose.

This is my favorite book of all times! I have already read it 4 times in Turkish and I am glad I can find it here so that I can introduce my friends to a great piece of literature!

This novella reads like a diary of the soul. It is beautiful and thought provoking. Deep and melancholy. Never before have I read such an exquisite description of a painting.

A beautiful take on a character study of a man, a woman, and young love. This book will have you nostalgic, entranced, and intrigued by the complexity of relationships of the past.

Wonderful read, and reminiscent of the relationship between Christopher Isherwood and Sally Bowles. It will linger with me for a while.

I have no idea why this hasn't been translated before. A very thought provoking book. Beautifully written.

the story conveyns the depth and complexity of human mind and feelings, mystery of love, doubts and loneliness.Wonderful description of life in Berlin at that time and also of what Turkey was like at that period. Still the reader .left with many questions: Why Raif Efendi, a clever man, is so indecisive and shy? Why his eyes filled with tears every time he is unhappy or somebody is kind to him?

Beautifully written book showing great compassion and sincerity . A superb love story with a tragic end.I very much recommended this book.

assigned it to my students and unsurprisingly they liked it as much.

Lesson in love and life. Great story telling that made a slow reader like me finish this book over this weekend. Vivid characters and having lived in both Germany and Turkey, the people seem so authentic.

the book arrived earlier than expected and was in great condition. It's an interesting story of a man who dedicates himself entirely to the addictive and masochistic side of 'love'.

If you like tragic romantic stories then this is for you. Beautifully written.

More than just a love story

Good book

A very articulated read depicting the emotional tormoil of first love. Pain and suffering associated with unrequited passion. Loss and sadness runs throughout. I wanted to close it down on many occasions but felt compelled to finish it.

Loved the story, so Melancholic.

a masterpiece...

Beautiful story and beautifully written

sad story - interesting