Constantinople 1920

Constantinople 1920 by Haig Tahta, published by Black Apollo Press in 2007, is a historical fiction novel that chronicles the impending fall of the Ottomans during the British occupation of Constantinople from 1920 to 1922. This edition spans 356 pages and continues the narrative of characters introduced in Tahta’s first novel, April 1915, set against the backdrop of the Ottoman Empire’s involvement in World War I. The story centers on the complex relationship between Olga, an Armenian girl, and Selim, a Turk, as they navigate the challenges of love amid the turmoil of the Greco-Turkish War.

Readers will find a rich exploration of the circumstances and atmosphere of the time, as the novel delves into themes of love, conflict, and the socio-political landscape of a city on the brink of change. The narrative unfolds with a focus on the characters’ emotional journeys, culminating in significant historical events such as the burning of Smyrna. Constantinople 1920 presents a tapestry of human experiences, populated by a diverse cast that embodies the era’s complexities, making it a thought-provoking addition to the genre of historical fiction.