Interview conducted by Vujica Ognjenovic
24.11.2007, VIJESTI – MONTENEGRO
What were the challenges for you to write “The Missing Rose”?
The Missing Rose has a story which intertwines different cultures and philosophies with contemporary modern life. This was not an easy task. In my novels, I intend to emphasize our meeting points, rather than our differences. I acknowledge the differences among people coming from various cultures, however, I believe that still our similarities as human beings are far more important than our differences. Despite this, it has been a challange to bring fairy tales, mysticism, mythology, the Sufi poet Yunus Emre, William Blake, Nasreddin Hodja and Socrates, all together in one story set in today's modern world.
Also, there were other challenges which are related to being a full-time writer. This was my first novel and I had quit my work to dedicate all my time to novel writing.
“The Missing Rose” is often compared to “The Little Prince”by St. Exupery, “The Alchemist”by Paulo Coelho and "The Seagull" by Richard Bach. Did these books influence your novel?
The Little Prince, The Alchemist and The Seagull are all books which emphasize the universal side of man. So does The Missing Rose. I believe it is this aspect of The Missing Rose which prompted book reviewers and readers to compare and liken The Missing Rose with these books. I also believe that it is for this reason that The Missing Rose, a first novel, has been translated into so many languages and enthused readers from so many different cultures. I think it all comes down to the story being able to connect with our universal side, the side which every human being has regardless of race, culture, religion, and so on.
Other than this, The Missing Rose has a completely different story, and readers find it very original. However, especially The Little Prince touches me very much each time I read it, and I believe that the taste I’ve gotten from it has been reflected onto The Missing Rose. That is why I have included The Little Prince in my novel; the main character in The Missing Rose leaves her home and embarks on a journey upon rereading The Little Prince after many years.
“The Missing Rose” is a unique novel of self-discovery. Why is self-discovery so important in the modern world?
Self-discovery is very important in every age because it is necessary if one is ever to dream of living in a peaceful world. Both outer peace and inner peace. I believe that all wars, all injustice, all unhapiness are, some way or another, related to not knowing ourselves.
Most ancient philosophers, wise men and women, sacred scripts and great writers of literature have always touched upon the importance of knowing one’s self. In fact, many of them have said that this was the very reason that we were created –to know ourselves.
Self-discovery becomes even more important in the modern world because cultural conflict is constantly on the rise, and there is a lot of separation and clash. Self-discovery has many levels, and if we go deeper, we realize that we are actually one -regardless of race, culture, social status and religion. So self-discovery is especially important to bring us together; to nourish peace and understanding between us. And also to nourish peace within.
“The Missing Rose” is a bridge between East and West. In your novel we can find influence of: Greek mythology, Christianity, Sufi poet Yunus Emre, William Blake, Socrates; the real world and the world of dreams… Why?
I believe we can all meet in a common place regardless of where we are from, East or West. Our heart has no geography and we all belong to the same culture in the depths of our hearts.
Once, a literary critique who saw equal influence of eastern and western motifs in my work asked me, “Are you an easterner writing about the West or a westerner writing about the East?” And I could not help but reply by saying “Well, I think I’m a human being.”
I feel that as long as a story focuses on the universal aspects, it is inevitable for the East and West to merge, and it is such a great joy for a writer to notice and bring together the connections between the two. At least this was the case for me.
Your novel is also story about the deeper meaning of life's journey. This question has always been important in every culture and in every time? How does one find the right answer?
I believe there is no such thing as “the right answer”; but there is a right answer for each one of us. But each one of us should ask ourselves what life’s journey is all about. As long as we ask this question to ourselves, it doesn’t matter which answer is right, what’s important is what each one of us believes in. And this is again about self-discovery and its importance.
“The Missing Rose”has been translated into 17 languages in different countries and cultures? What do readers usually ask you about this novel?
They are very interested to know what inspired me to write this story. I think regardless of their nationality and culture, every reader finds something from themselves in this story, and something which is significant and meaningful to them. So they are wondering how a story written by an author from another culture can connect with them in such an intimate way.
It excites me each time I receive a mail from a reader who is thousands of miles away geographically, who is from a totally different culture, but whom I could share this story with on such an intimate level. Such mails and comments from readers worldwide confirm my belief that our similarities surpass our differences, and that we all meet at a common place.
Do roses have any hidden meaning in Turkish culture?
Throughout the history of Turkish culture, roses have been used as metaphors for various things in works of art and literature. However, the roses in The Missing Rose are independent of previous usages and metaphors. And also within the story they stand for different and even opposite things. However, roses in The Missing Rose are closely related to “us” and our journey of self-discovery.
Any clues about your next book?
My second novel which is already completed is again related to self-discovery on a different level.
It is a novel about hope, unconditional love and the miracle of life. The story is about a unique little boy; the special friendship he enters into with a dolphin and his experience with the Angel of Death twenty years later.
Hopefully, it will reach readers after all the international publications of The Missing Rose.