Zülfü Livaneli's novel On the Back of the Tiger is a work that addresses human nature, power relations, and the concept of exile within a historical and political framework. The novel centers around political exiles, betrayal, friendship, and inner conflicts. Livaneli blends historical events with individual stories, creating a narrative that explores personal struggles amid historical upheavals.

Plot

The novel focuses on the exile years of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The main character must come to terms with both their past and the political atmosphere in which they find themselves. The key themes of the novel are:

• Political exile and life in the diaspora
• The struggle between power and the individual
• Betrayal, loyalty, and moral reckoning
• The impact of history on individual fates

Themes

Exile and the Search for Identity: At the novel's heart is the main character's identity crisis while living in exile and reconciling with their past. Livaneli aims to make the reader reflect on the psychological effects of exile by placing individual tragedy within a universal context.

Power and Mechanisms of Oppression: In the novel, the pressure of power on individuals is explored, along with themes of betrayal and loyalty. The effects of oppressive regimes on both society and individuals are portrayed.

The Repeating Cycle of History: In the novel, Livaneli emphasizes the impact of history on individuals, suggesting that events from the past repeat in different forms, prompting a questioning of human beings' unchanging nature.