From the internationally bestselling author of Disquiet, a brilliant political allegory that vividly illustrates how capitalism and authoritarianism harm us and the environment.Having failed to hold onto power after an ironfisted first term, the former President moves to a secluded island and decides to rid it of what he sees as its “anarchic” components. The island, described by its close-knit community as a utopia, the last peaceful resort for humankind, morphs into dystopia when the President, in the hope of bringing order to island life, begins to act more and more like a dictator. The first ones to revolt against him are the seagulls.
Originally written in 2008 as a condemnation of the authoritarian Turkish regime,
The Last Island has only grown more relevant, foreshadowing the events and aftermath of Istanbul’s bloody Gezi Park/Taksim Square political protests of 2013, as well as the protest movements of our time.
"From the internationally bestselling author of Disquiet, a brilliant political allegory that vividly illustrates how capitalism and authoritarianism harm us and the environment. A retired General-the leader of the latest military takeover-moves to a peaceful island and decides to rid it of what he sees as its last remaining "anarchic" components. The island, described by its people as a utopia, the last peaceful resort for mankind, morphs into dystopia when the General, in the hope of bringing order to the island life, begins to act more and more like a dictator. The first ones to revolt against the General are the seagulls. Originally written in 2008 as a condemnation of the authoritarian Turkish regime, The Last Island has only grown more relevant, foreshadowing the events and aftermath of Istanbul's bloody Gezi Park/Taksim Square political protests of 2013, as well as the protest movements of our time"--
“This haunting fable of a President’s war against seagulls feels all the more relevant to our times in its absurdity and heartbreak. Livaneli has written a lucid account of a community’s shattering alongside natural devastation. A wise and piercing book.” —Ayşegül Savaş, author of
White on White and
Walking on the Ceiling“In this beautifully written book, Livaneli poetically recounts the story of how societies get corrupted by self-serving autocratic leaders. Livaneli’s riveting
The Last Island provides a much-needed and uplifting read for all in need of resilience and hope.” —Soner Cagaptay, author of
A Sultan in Autumn: Erdogan Faces Turkey’s Uncontainable Forces“Human nature and authority come face to face in Livaneli’s unparalleled, creative novel. The author invites us to rethink the world we live in.” —Lenore Martin, Emmanuel College and Harvard University
“With this novel Livaneli has entered through the grand gates of literature.” —Yashar Kemal, author of
Memed, My Hawk
Praise for
Disquiet:
“Entirely captivating.” —
New York Times Book Review “[An] arresting novel.” —
The New Yorker“A tale of identities colliding from a writer who’s held five passports…[
Disquiet] unfolds in a border town caught between its ancient past and tumultuous present.” —NPR,
All Things Considered “A somber, pensive novel, by one of Turkey’s greatest modern writers…Livaneli’s slender narrative contains multitudes…[An] intensely emotional, memorable story.” —
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A keenly wrought story…[whose] urgency comes through in its tight grasp on the problems of religious violence, misogyny, and the failures of compassion. The result is a memorable illumination of the Ezidi people’s rich history.” —
Publishers Weekly“A penetrating novel…indelible fiction based on real-life horror…[
Disquiet] will demand attention, provoke outrage, perhaps even inspire lifesaving change.” —
Shelf Awareness“A moving novel set entirely in the modern-day Middle East.” —
PopSugar, Best New Books of the Month
“Impactful…[a] fascinating novel about a man caught between cultures.” —
Foreword Reviews 
