Amiral Byng is a historical novel authored by Ahmet Mithat Efendi (1844-1912), one of the prolific and prominent figures of Turkish literature. Prepared for publication by İnci Enginün and published by Dergâh Publications as part of its "Turkish Literature" series, the work addresses the trial process and execution of the British Admiral John Byng following his defeat against the French fleet at Minorca during the Seven Years' War, which took place in the mid-eighteenth Century. This work, which Ahmet Mithat Efendi adapted into a novel from a French play, presents a literary interpretation of a historical event. The book, published in April 2014, consists of 217 pages.
Content and Thematic Structure
The novel “Amiral Byng” centers on the siege of Minorca, an important naval front of the Seven Years' War that began in 1756, and a tragic event that followed. The main subject of the book is the trial by court-martial and eventual execution of the British Admiral John Byng after he lost Minorca to the French. Ahmet Mithat Efendi adapted this event into novel form, inspired by a French play titled “Le Amiral de l'escadre bleue.” Elements such as Byng's military strategies, the difficult conditions of the war, failures in the chain of command, and political intrigues are treated in the work. The details of the trial process, the accusations, the defenses, and the political atmosphere of the period form the plot of the novel.
The book not only recounts a historical event but also interrogates universal themes such as justice, responsibility, patriotism, and the helplessness of the individual against the system. Through the fate of Admiral Byng, subjects like military discipline, leadership qualities, and the risks of making mistakes are also addressed indirectly. As Ahmet Mithat Efendi literary revives the tragic end of a historical figure, he invites the reader to gain a perspective on the events of the period and the psychology of the characters.
Language and Style
The language and style in Ahmet Mithat Efendi's “Amiral Byng” carry the characteristics of the Tanzimat period novel tradition. The author uses a plain and understandable language with a didactic approach aimed at informing and educating the reader. The narrative is fluid, and the plot is constructed to engage the reader's interest. In the text, which reflects the features of the literary Turkish of the period, historical and military terms can occasionally be found. The style, while recounting events from an objective distance, also offers clues to the inner worlds of the characters. In this work, which the author adapted into a novel from a French play, a literary transformation has been achieved while preserving the dramatic structure of the original text.
The Author's Position and the Significance of the Work
Ahmet Mithat Efendi was one of the most productive and popular writers of the Tanzimat period, producing works in many genres such as the novel, short story, article, and drama. He is considered a “Hace-i Evvel” (First Teacher) who undertook the mission of educating and enlightening the public. “Amiral Byng” is an example that demonstrates Ahmet Mithat Efendi's translation and adaptation skills, as well as his interest in historical events. The work is important for introducing the Turkish reader to historical and social events that took place in the West. The novel not only tells the tragic story of Admiral Byng but also opens a window onto the European politics and military life of the period. In this respect, it is a study of interest for examination both within Ahmet Mithat Efendi's oeuvre and among the early examples of translation and adaptation in Turkish literature.
