politics
April 30, 2026
From Life Itself by Suzy Hansen review
This portrait of everyday life in an Istanbul neighbourhood buffeted by change has far wider relevance
TL;DR
- The book "From Life Itself" by Suzy Hansen explores how ordinary people experience 21st-century authoritarianism.
- It uses the Karagümrük neighborhood in Istanbul, transformed by Syrian refugees, as a case study for mass migration and nationalist backlash.
- Hansen traces Turkey's history from its secular founding to Erdoğan's rule, noting the country has absorbed three million Syrian refugees.
- The book highlights tensions and prejudices arising from the refugee crisis, alongside instances of local integration.
- It also touches upon the broader assault on Turkey's independent institutions, including education and the judiciary.
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