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Ahmet Mithat Efendi is one of my favorite writers, but I only had the chance to read him in this book. I hope I will read more of his works.
As it is known, this book criticizes false westernization very well and does a really high-quality job in doing so.
While Felatun Bey in the book represents the terms laziness, waste, and extravagance, Rakım Efendi represents the terms such as diligence, thrift, and good morals. The two characters are complete opposites of each other.
Rakım Efendi is a writer. He moves his pen in every field. He writes both poetry and novels. He is a Turkish personality and tries to be a Turkish style in the environments he is in. Felatun Bey is also a completely European character. Thanks to the overlapping topics of Rakım Efendi and Felatun Bey, the book exquisitely criticizes Alafranga, the west, and false westernization.
My favorite part of the book is Ahmet Mithat's incredibly sincere involvement in the book. It is as if he is completely witnessing the events as an unseen person while they are happening. He makes good insinuations and references in the book. His sudden outbursts sometimes made me laugh. Of course, this feature of the book may not be to everyone's liking.
It was one of the best Tanzimat Literature works I have read.
