“Reha” is a long-unpublished novel by Nurettin Topçu (1909-1975), a prominent figure in Turkish intellectual and educational life, which he authored between 1926 and 1936. The work was prepared for publication by Ezel Erverdi and İsmail Kara after Topçu's death and subsequently released to the public. Published as part of Dergâh Yayınları's "Turkish Literature" series, the novel is considered a key source that sheds light on the early phase of Topçu’s intellectual development. First published in June 1999, the 158-page work saw its 7th edition as of July 2022.
Content and Thematic Structure
“Reha” is a previously unpublished novel written during a formative period of Nurettin Topçu's intellectual world. In this respect, it allows for the tracing of connections between the stories later collected in his book “Taşralı” (The Provincial) and his broader philosophical output. The novel is noteworthy for containing early reflections of Topçu's intellectual development process and his philosophical orientations.
Although detailed information regarding the main themes and plot of the work is not available, it is considered to be a reflection of the author's youthful observations, personal inquiries, and his approach to social issues. It is plausible that the initial traces of the intellectual frameworks Topçu would later develop—such as the "Philosophy of Action" (Hareket Felsefesi), "Ethics of Rebellion" (İsyan Ahlâkı), and "Anatolian Wisdom" (Anadolu İrfanı)—can be found in this text.
Beyond its artistic merit, the novel also serves as a resource that documents the intellectual environment of its time and the author's scholarly inclinations. It possesses content from which inferences can be drawn about Topçu's early approaches to the subjects of the individual, society, morality, and change.
Language and Style
As a product of Nurettin Topçu’s youth, the language and style of the work may differ from the philosophical and educational texts he would later write. However, considering the author's general writing style, it can be observed that he likely preferred a plain narrative style that emphasizes intellectual content. In addition to its literary language, the novel also carries narrative features that reflect the cultural and social climate of the period. In its promotional materials, the publisher has employed an objective and descriptive language to present the work.
The Editors' Position and the Significance of the Work
The editors who prepared the work for publication, Ezel Erverdi and İsmail Kara, are renowned for their scholarly work on Nurettin Topçu’s oeuvre and Turkish intellectual history. In this context, the process of preparing “Reha” for publication was carried out in a manner that preserves the text's authenticity and its value as a source document.
“Reha” is an important resource for the data it provides on the early phase of Nurettin Topçu's intellectual orientation. The work stands as a primary source for researchers examining the author's line of intellectual development and constitutes a significant object of study for researchers, students, and academics in the fields of Turkish literature, intellectual history, philosophy, and sociology. It is particularly noteworthy for offering content conducive to revealing the relationship between the author's early modes of thought and the systematic frameworks he would later develop.
