Writer Reclaims Voice in Canada After Turkish Book Ban

After facing a ban on his works in Turkey, a writer has successfully reclaimed his voice in Canada, where he has published a novel in English. Upon arriving in Canada in 2016, he transitioned from a celebrated author with nine novels to a laborer navigating a new life filled with challenges. His journey highlights the resilience of creativity in the face of oppression.

From Silence to Survival

Once a prolific writer in Turkey, he experienced a sudden silencing after a coup attempt led to the closure of his publisher. His books were removed from shelves, and his name vanished from the literary scene. Upon landing in North America, he faced a harsh reality: the focus shifted to basic survival needs such as rent and groceries.

His initial jobs included tile helper and factory cleaner, as he adapted to a new environment. He recalls trading his pen for a hammer and his writing desk for construction scaffolding. Despite the hardships, he found meaning in carpentry, remarking, “Wood has its own language: joints that fit perfectly, doors that close with a soft click.” This honest work not only provided for his family but also became a means of coping with the silence left by his lost literary career.

A New Beginning Through Words

Years later, in a moment of quiet reflection, he returned to writing. Sitting at his desk, he faced a blank page, this time choosing to write in English. Each word felt like a struggle, but he persevered, transforming his calloused hands back into instruments of storytelling. His new novel, “When the Devil Loves,” emerged from this effort, blending mythic fantasy with themes of exile and love. While the story carries universal elements, it also serves as a personal narrative, exploring the complexities of his experiences.

Now, at the age of forty, he balances his time between running a small finish carpentry business in Ontario and nurturing his passion for writing. He reflects on the absurdity of his journey, noting the contrast between signing carpentry invoices and his former life signing books. This evolution signifies not just a survival story but a reclamation of identity.

When he first held his English novel in print, he thought of his younger self, who left Turkey with a suitcase and unexpressed stories. “Silence tried to bury me. But stories, like flowers, find cracks in the concrete. They push through. They survive,” he states, emphasizing the enduring nature of creativity.

His experience illustrates how art can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances, reminding us that voices silenced can find new platforms and audiences. In Canada, he has not only secured safety for his family but also carved out a space to write, merging the worlds of bread and books once more.