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Memed, My Hawk

Memed, My Hawk

by Yashar Kemal, translated from the Turkish by Edouard Roditi

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A tale of high adventure and lyrical celebration, tenderness and violence, generosity and ruthlessness, Memed, My Hawk is the defining achievement of one of the greatest and most beloved of writers, Yashar Kemal. It is reissued here with a new introduction by the author on the fiftieth anniversary of its first publication. 

Memed, a high-spirited, kindhearted boy, grows up in a desperately poor mountain village whose inhabitants are kept in virtual slavery by the local landlord. Determined to escape from the life of toil and humiliation to which he has been born, he flees but is caught, tortured, and nearly killed. When at last he does get away, it is to set up as a roving brigand, celebrated in song, who could be a liberator to his people—unless, like the thistles that cover the mountain slopes of his native region, his character has taken an irremediably harsh and unforgiving form.

Additional Book Information

Series: NYRB Classics
ISBN: 9781590171394
Pages: 392
Publication Date:

Praise

Some books are so famous they need no introduction. But have you ever read Yashar Kemal? His first novel, Memed, My Hawk (NYRB Classics), set in the south-east of Turkey and about a young man at war with feudal authority, was published in the 1950s and brought him international fame. It is still greatly loved in Turkey, and with good reason.
The Guardian

Yashar Kemal is a thousand kilometres tall and can make a story of two stones tender and spellbinding. A master.
— John Berger

A remarkable novel, reminiscent of Hardy in its power and scope.
Queen

A folk hero worthy to rank with Robin Hood.
The New York Times

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