Djinns

Fatma Aydemir was born in Karlsruhe in 1986. She lives in Berlin and is a columnist and editor for the taz newspaper.Her debut novel, Ellbogen, was published by Hanser in 2017, and won the Klaus Michael Kühne Prize and the Franz Hessel Prize. In 2019 she published the anthology Your Homeland is our Nightmare together with Hengameh Yaghoobifarah. Djinns was awarded the Robert Gernhardt Prize, and shortlisted for the German Book Prize.

A GUARDIAN BEST NEW NOVEL 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE GERMAN BOOK PRIZE 2022WINNER OF THE ROBERT GERNHARDT PRIZE 2022‘Sensational. . . . Sometimes you just want a big old family saga to lose yourself in – and there’s none more engrossing this autumn than Djinns.’ – The Guardian'I read this book last year and have been pressing it into everyone’s hands since. A patriarch finally fulfils his dream of building a home in Turkey for his family in Germany to return to and dies on receipt of keys. What unravels is the story of a family, with characters to love (I’ve taught a lot of Peri’s), and the ghosts of Kurdish history. I am a sucker for family drama that revolves around global politics, driven by a multi-character narrative (Aydemir is up there with Marian Keyes, the Queen of the compulsive multi-character narrative – I challenge anyone who disagrees to a thumb war).'– Sophie Harman, LRB Bookshop Blog'I always get suspicious when I see this word on a book cover. How many, really, can there be? But in the case of Djinns – a magnificent, sprawling, gorgeous, many-headed beast, inhabited by a family who, to a soul, feel real and true and frighteningly persuasive – a creation of great beauty, compassion, wisdom and grief – I do not hesitate for a second to use it. Masterpiece.’ – Mia Gallagher, author of Shift'A majestic novel about the migrant experience in Germany that speaks to us all.' – Ellen Peirson-Hagger, The Financial Times'In the hands of bestselling German-Turkish novelist Fatma Aydemir, the family novel is a framework for a heartbreaking, formally experimental examination of identity in which a six-part structure mirrors the divisions diaspora makes between generations. . . .  Djinns is the work of a writer who has hit her artistic stride ... [it] Chronicles an important transitional moment in Germany’s self-definition with intelligence and nuance.'– The Baffler‘Aydemir has a gift for empathising with almost every single one of her characters – it’s hard to tear yourself away.’ ‘A profoundly moving journey through grief toward freedom.’– Musa Okwonga– Spiegel Bestseller supplement‘How I miss Hüseyin, Emine and their children… I laughed when they laughed, I cried as they cried, and my heart shattered at each new tragic turn. Fatma Aydemir’s beautiful language and devotion to her characters shine throughout and ensure that their voices echo, long after the final chapter ends.' – Sharon Dodua Otoo, author of Ada’s Realm‘Fatma Ayedmir’s voice has a power that goes straight to your heart one minute and straight to the pit of your stomach the next.’– Alena Schröder‘A stunningly intense and multi-layered novel – a brilliant family epic.’ – Stern