Now available in English: This classic of Turkish literature about love and alienation in a changing world captures the vibrancy of interwar Berlin. “Read, loved and wept over by men and women of all ages.” —Guardian “A gorgeously melancholic romance.” —Irish Times “Has the kind of . . . powerful impact of The Great Gatsby.” —Observer A shy young man leaves his home in rural Turkey to learn a trade and discover life in 1920s Berlin. There, amidst the city’s bustling streets, elegant museums, passionate politics, and infamous cabarets, a chance meeting with a beautiful half-Jewish artist transforms him forever. Caught between his desire for freedom from tradition and his yearning to belong, he struggles to hold on to the new life he has found with the woman he loves. Emotionally powerful, intensely atmospheric, and touchingly profound, Madonna in a Fur Coat is an unforgettable novel about new beginnings, the relentless pull of family ties, and the unfathomable nature of the human soul. First published in 1943, this novel, with its quiet yet insistent defiance of social norms, has been topping best-seller lists in Turkey since 2013.

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About the author
Sabahattin Ali
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Sabahattin Ali was a Turkish novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist.
Madonna in a Fur Coat
by Sabahattin Ali
Books Like Madonna in a Fur Coat
If you're looking for books similar to Madonna in a Fur Coat, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
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A profound examination of social constraints and forbidden love in late 19th-century New York. The novel explores the tension between individual desire and societal expectations, similar to the protagonist's struggle in Madonna in a Fur Coat. The narrative delves into the emotional complexity of characters trapped between personal passion and cultural norms.
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A novel set in 1920s Europe, capturing the disillusionment of the Lost Generation after World War I. The story follows expatriates navigating love, identity, and personal limitations, echoing themes in Madonna in a Fur Coat. The book explores emotional restraint and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
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A philosophical novel exploring an intellectual's alienation and inner conflict in early 20th-century Europe. The protagonist struggles with his identity and societal expectations, reflecting similar themes of personal transformation found in Madonna in a Fur Coat. The book offers a deep psychological portrait of an individual seeking meaning and connection.
The Trial
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A surreal exploration of bureaucracy, alienation, and individual powerlessness. Like Madonna in a Fur Coat, the novel examines personal struggle against systemic constraints. The narrative reveals the psychological impact of external forces on individual identity and freedom.
The Master
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A novel exploring the inner life of writer Henry James, focusing on personal restraint and emotional depth. Like Madonna in a Fur Coat, it offers a nuanced examination of individual consciousness. The narrative reveals the rich interior world of a sensitive protagonist navigating social expectations.
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A landmark modernist novel set in 1920s Berlin, capturing the city's complex social landscape and personal struggles. The story follows Franz Biberkopf's attempts to rebuild his life after prison, navigating the turbulent urban environment. Like Madonna in a Fur Coat, it offers a deeply psychological exploration of an individual's journey through a transformative period in German history.
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