Meltem Arıkan

Hope is a Curse
Original Title : Umut Lanettir

Novel

 

Inanna, the protogonist of Meltem Arıkan’s latest novel, is a physics professor. She starts a relationship with a theater director. With his encouragement she begins to write a play named ‘Hope is a Curse’. In this creation process she has to live through her past, face the reality of the people she is surrounded with and question love and her own existence.

This is a novel of rebellion. Focusing on existence, especially of women, Meltem Arıkan manifests that people must rebel in order to exist.  While the classical existentialists consider human existentialism, for the first time Meltem Arıkan suggests that man and woman existentialism should be discussed seperately.

“Happiness is determined by what you are and how much you are connected with your individualism. Your faith, what you possess or you represent cannot make you happy. These only restrict your happiness. There isn’t a plain past and future defining the faith. Faith is a path built by probabilities. Faith can only be changed by changing the choices we make. If you are able to exist you won’t believe in faith. There is only choices, and the consequences and responsibilities of these choices. The miserable ones who rely on things other than themselves are destined to be miserable. If they are to be offered a paradise they will definitely turn it into hell  by pitying themselves.”  M.A.

Selected reviews :

We have come face to face with her new novel just as when we were saying that she had been late. Meltem Arıkan's new novel is titled "Umut Lanettir" (Hope Is A Curse).

The new novel of Arıkan who had proved her mastery once more with her 5th novel, "Zaten Yoksunuz" ( You Exist In No Way), has "more" but not "less".Like in all her novels she is provocative but not repulsive.Above all, the novel is nourished with mytology and poetry. "Umut Lanettir" (Hope Is A Curse) is a novel to be read.  Şakir Süter - Akşam

“Ve …Veya…Belki” (And...Or...Maybe..).. We got to know Meltem Arıkan.  “Evet...Ama...Sanki"  (Yes…But..So..)  followed it. She incised her name on the Turkish Literature with "Kadın Bedenini Soyarsa" (Undressing Herself). Her fourth novel, “Yeter Tenimi Acıtmayın” (Stop Hurting My Flesh) was published in 2003 and confiscated in 2004. What happened next? It was acquitted after two months by a special court degree. And…Meltem Arıkan  received the Turkish Publishers’ Association’s “2004 Düşünce ve İfade Özgürgürlüğü Ödülü” (The Freedom of Thought and Expression Award for 2004)! I have read her latest novel "Umut Lanettir".(Hope is A Curse).  Let it be damned! It is a terrific revolt.. A warrior of existence. The brave heart of resistance to the society, to the family and to the beliefs. Lively. Provocative. Mischievous. Wild,. Intelligent. Cunning. Scarry.. Most importantly it is disturbing. The realities, perhaps are being presented to the reader as naked as could be for the first time with this novel. This book..Is it a scenario about the existence of the woman? A real theater? Read it and then you decide. Kenan Sönmezler –-Tercüman / Panorama