Book of Various Opinions (Book)

Muhtelif Evhamlar is a book written by Ömür İklim Demir. It belongs to the short story genre and was published in 2015 by Yapı Kredi Yayınları.

Subject

The book consists of various stories. Each story is shaped around the spaces in which the characters live and situations connected to everyday life. The events primarily take place in urban settings and do not incorporate abstract or surreal elements. The narratives explore human relationships, losses, and encounters within daily life. Through the characters, the complex and ambiguous dimensions of ordinary existence are conveyed. The book comprises the following titles, each addressing its subject from different angles:

• İçler Dışlar Çarpımı
• Vasati 40 Yaş
• Tuz
• Sonsuz Rasim Abi'ler Diyarı
• Dün Gece Ansızın
• Kartela
• Saraylı'nın Üç Ölümü
• İki Oda, Bir Salon, Yarım Hayat
• Uzun Uzun Çalan Ziller ve Bir Mutfak Kapısı Hakkında
• Sessizliği Öldüren Tuzluk

Themes

The themes of loss, encounter, and coincidence are explored in the work. The concept of loss is presented in various forms: the loss of a job, a spouse, economic power, youth, happiness, health, home, or mental faculties. Among the losses experienced by the characters are death and divorce.

In the story Saraylı’nın Üç Ölümü, the narrator attempts to determine the identity of an anonymous patient, and a chance encounter occurs as the narrative unfolds. The theme of coincidence also appears in the stories Uzun Uzun Çalan Ziller and Bir Mutfak Kapısı Hakkında.

Some stories incorporate elements of surprise. The dream sequence in Sessizliği Öldüren Tuzluk serves a functional role within the narrative. The stories Kartela and Vasati 40 Yaş also employ surprising elements.

The story Dün Gece Ansızın is structured as an email. In Kartela, the format of fashion magazine headlines is used. These elements form part of the work’s formal characteristics.

Awards and Achievements

The book Muhtelif Evhamlar was recognized with the 2016 Haldun Taner Short Story Award and the 2016 Ankara University Short Story Award^【1】.