But at some point, it seemed, he was content to let her grandmother and mother's plans for her take over. Lucy Foley blends a rich history, haunting secrets and a timeless love story’ Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Deverill series ISTANBUL, 1921 Before the Occupation, Nur’s city was a tapestry of treasures: the Grand Bazaar alive with colour, trinkets and spices; saffron sunsets melting into the black waters of the Bosphorus; the sweet fragrance of the fig trees dancing on the summer breeze . As they cross the great channel of the Bosphorus she watches the shore of Asia approach and feels her skin prickle like someone about to commit a crime.

Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley | Waterstones

It’s fascinating how he uses what he finds as a key to the past, while adding his own contribution and ensuring its continuance. Then this brings me to Nur and George, ah named characters I thought, but no, I still did not get a clear picture of who they are, a little background is given at the end, and I mean right at the end, but it is too little too late. This conflict between freedom and propriety swirls around Nur and comes to the fore when she finds herself asking for help.Last Letter from Istanbul’ caresses, sparks and skewers thoughts and feelings, it is a truly penetrating and captivating read - highly recommended.

Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley - Writing.ie Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley - Writing.ie

This is certainly not a character study; the characters lack emotional complexity or personality and are otherwise too numerous and indistinguishable to be memorable. With four strands of narrative jumbled together one of which is over 40 years later than the others it is very frustrating. Last Letter From Istanbul is another of those books that I persevered with, just to see whether it would ever improve.

It hinders the momentum of the novel more than it extends its scope - none of the characters were ever given the opportunity to develop their own personal story fully. Last Letter from Istanbul is an evocative and emotional novel: it’s a transporting story of family ties, love and sacrifice, and the noble spirit at the heart of it all, which I came to understand and admire.

Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley - Fantastic Fiction Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley - Fantastic Fiction

After spending time in 1950s Tangier with Tangerine (see previous review), I decided to head further east and go back another thirty years to explore 1920s Istanbul with Lucy’s Foley’s third novel, Last Letter from Istanbul. For one inhabitant, Nur, this occupation, and the war leading up to it, has taken everything from her. When the Armenian boy requires help, their lives become entwined with consequences neither could have foreseen. The result is a rather sterile and bloodless narrative that never matures into something even vaguely emotionally compelling - despite the harrowing events depicted. Lucy Foley has developed a beautiful writing style, the vivid colour stamps its impression on the pages, conjuring taste, touch, smells and sounds, as well as creating a feast for your eyes.Being a fan of Victoria Hislop’s books I was looking forward to reading Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley. The local inhabitants remained fearful with many also carrying a great hatred against these invaders. Te presentan las múltiples interrogantes de un conflicto: ¿Existen soldados buenos y malos dependiendo del lado en que luchen? Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy Foley is a story about Constantinople in 1921 and the allied occupation.