Madonna in a Fur Coat

Feelings were mixed about this book amongst the 8 members present at the meeting... 2 or 3 were extremely negative about the book and characters, finding Raif Efendi particularly irritating through his submissiveness and inaction, whilst another 2 or 3 thought this a subtle and marvellously well-written book, which, like the characters within it, keeps the reader at arms's length and does not let them in easily. At the start of the book there is very little happening, but by the end, we have not only found out the reasons for Raif's lack of enthusiasm for life, but also seen what momentous events have befallen him.

We received this book for free from Penguin and were looking forward to reading it based on the reviews. The views of the group were mixed, at least one person felt that it was was similar to a DH Lawrence book.
Given the period in which it was written it was felt that this book was radical for its time in its depiction of the relationship between Maria and Raif but some of the group felt frustrated by the plot which they felt didn't go anywhere. The characters created a lot of discussion but there was little empathy with them. Maria was felt to be manipulative and controlling whilst presenting herself as a 'modern woman' and that the relationship had to be on her terms or not at all. The fact that Raif seemed to give up on life and living when he stopped hearing from Maria and seemed to become in turn manipulated and controlled by his family was frustrating.
We felt that there were themes that started to be explored but then fizzled out, the depiction of art to , the exploration of relationships between men and women and parents and children.
We felt that the book was dated and had not stood the test of time but it did create a lot of discussion

Our reading group was lucky to be given this book to read and share. I was really looking forward to reading it - partly I think because of the intriguing title. Another reviewer described this as a challenging read. I am really sorry to report that for me it was too challenging in terms of a slow pace and the density of descriptive detail and I failed to complete the mission to read the whole story. My sincere apologies to the author.

Penguin Books kindly donated this book to the Stitches and Stories reading group

Despite its size we found this a demanding read, densely written (one member said it reminded her of DH Lawrence) and emotionally draining. A young Turkish man becomes obsessed with a fellow worker in his office - Raif Efendi. Raif is self-contained, showing no interest in his fellow workers and enduring their abuse without complaint. When Raif becomes ill, the narrator is asked to retrieve and burn a journal hidden in his desk drawer. The contents of this journal form the bulk of the book detailing Raif's love affair with the mysterious woman in a portrait and reveal why Raif has given up on life
This is a melancholy novel set in Berlin and Ankara between the 2 world wars, full of atmosphere and feeling but perhaps more suited to the romantic young than the more cynical and worldly wise members of the reading group who found Raif a bit spineless and annoying