Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Voice of Conscience is an Epic Story of Life and Revenge, November 11, 2009
Voice of Conscience by Behcet Kaya Author Behcet Kaya draws on his vast knowledge of Turkish and Muslim customs and traditions, captivating his audience from the first chapter. We first meet the Ozcomert family in Atamkoy, Turkey in 1962: Ramzi Sr., his wife, Nermin, their beautiful daughter, Erin, and son, Ramzi Jr. The scene is set for a traditional wedding when Erin is engaged to Turkel with both families' blessing. The elder from the rival Korucu family has decided that he will have Erin marry his grandson. When Ramzi Sr. turns the elder Korucu down, it brings shame to the Korucu clan and soon several of the Ozcomert livestock are slaughtered. Fearing increased violence, the wedding date is moved up. Ramzi Jr. is awakened in the night by his cousin and aunt and soon learns the horrible truth that will haunt him for the rest of his life - his father, mother, and sister have been murdered in their sleep. Ramzi travels to Istanbul and finds work in construction as he attempts to build a life for himself. Memories of the night his family was murdered continue to disturb him, as does his paranoia that his enemies will find him and kill him as well. In England, Ramzi is studying for his engineering degree and working as a waiter. He meets Megan, a wealthy, sophisticated American. They fall in love, move to the United States, marry, and begin a family of their own. Ramzi has it all - a beautiful wife, children and a very successful business...however, he can't cast off the nightmare of his past. Not even the love of his wife and daughters, and his place in the business community are enough to keep Ramzi from seeking to quench his thirst for revenge. This desperate need to avenge his murdered family gradually destroys everything he has worked so hard to obtain. Kaya has crafted an epic story with an intriguing plot filled with plenty of drama, tension and conflict, wonderful character development and crisp dialogue. As well, there are beautiful moments of joy, wonder, and romance. Whether in a Turkish village, London, or the U.S., he puts us right there with vivid sensory descriptions and strong, scene-setting narrative. Kaya's talent for storytelling is evident on every page and it is easy to forget that Voice of Conscience is his first novel. Frequently, I was shaking my head in shock, laughing at his humor, and moved by a sad passage all in the same chapter. I highly recommend this riveting tale and I look forward to reading more from the author. Reviewed by William Potter for Reader's Choice Reviews
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Universal Read, December 3, 2009
Voice of Conscience Author: Behcet Kaya (September 3, 2009) ISBN: 978-1-4490-1453-7 (sc), Category: Fiction Author House (Bloomington, In) 428 pgs, Paperback, $20.10 Ramzi is a young 14 year old boy, whose right of passage from boyhood into manhood, is defined through a traumatically nightmarish experience that promises to alter his persona forever. Given time to escape the horrendous event, he learns the art of prolonging the inevitable response, but not without delayed consequences. It is in the realization of his need to deal with it, that the consequences must be taken as well, and must forever alter the state of everyone else near and around him, especially those most closest to him. Ramzi Ozkomert was a child of Turkish descent and the product of Turkish culture, complete with tradition, ritual, family pride, vengeance and ultimate religious duty. But even more to the point, he comes to terms with universal principles that transcend all cultural mores. He must come to realize that his traditional Turkish culture is not the last word, but only a snippet of the universal principle of life and death, and the way human beings deal with their own discoveries, traumas, pains, and delayed reactions. This story is multi-faceted and one that will make you realize that it could be, and should be read more than once, as there are a variety of cultural themes, character analyses, plot twists, and more, that can yet be widely discussed and understood. While Ramzi does not stand out immediately as the protagonist of the story--in fact, his father does--the reader will feel the impact of the change as Ramzi comes to the forefront when his father is faded out. But there is just enough about the father, that explains the sins of the son. Ramzi will not escape his father's hold on his life directions, for his Turkish parents come to him through dreams and permeate his conscience. Culture clash is definitely embedded as one of the themes in this fiction, which is found throughout the plot as Ramzi must cross a number of changes from Turkey, to England, to America, and back again. The protagonist's inner turmoil between his traditional culture and that of his new American citizenry is agonizing. Anyone who has left their cultural roots by force, and has had to learn and embrace a different culture and its people, must deal with emotional trauma, perhaps even on a daily level. Ramzi finds a place in spite of his displacement from his homeland, culture, and the cultural absolutes that haunt him. He becomes an American citizen and for a while, leads a typical life of American capitalism: success in entrepreneurial pursuits, romance, marriage, wealth, prestige and power. We almost think it is the end of the past, and a bright and different future, until...this new life ultimately does not satisfy. He must deal with the past. Furthermore, his newfound life with his American wife and children, have ultimately no hold upon his perceived duty to his family and the embedded traditional heritage; there is a deeper and more profound voice that he hears within the universal moment of choices and actions. He has well ingrained in him his Turkish belief in vengeance, and will carry out what he believes at the time, is the right thing. The twist is how he comes to grapple with his actions, and his ultimate choices in spite of those he loves, and those that love him. This book is a true tragedy, and is well worth reading, as it provokes thoughts upon those objects of affection that can be a distortion to one's own natural sense of being, and can even dictate such actions that can plague the conscience and bring ultimate crises and climactic consequences that one never expects. Bravo for author, Kaya's work. Reviewed by L.Nolan-Ruiz, Editor International Books Cafe [...].
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Voice of Conscience, March 15, 2008
This review is from: Voice of Conscience (Paperback)
One of the most important historical influences on literature is the classic Shakespearean Tragedy. Shakespeare's tragic heroes will be men of status and the misfortunes that transpire will be unexpected and extremely disastrous. The hero will suddenly fall from high status, honor, or happiness. We feel sympathy at the depths to which the hero is suddenly plummeted. As a result, the tragedy will be enormous. Such great suffering and misfortune will affect those he most cherishes. The principal sources of tragic emotions, especially pity, are essential ingredients in the tragedy. In Voice of Conscience, author Behcet Kaya implements the attributes of a Shakespearean Tragedy to create a modern day story of love, loss, retribution, and redemption. The protagonist, Ramzi Ozocomert Junior., is a young boy living in Atamkoy, Turkey, in 1962. In Ramzi's culture, arranged marriages are often a part of their customs. Ramzi's parents are confronted by a family who want to arrange a marriage between their son and Ramzi's sister. Ramzi's parents deny the request and allow their daughter to marry a man she truly loves. As the family prepares for their daughter's wedding, Ramzi's parents and sister are brutally murdered. Ramzi, fearing he will be murdered, is forced to flee his home. Ramzi embarks on a journey where he lives in emotional isolation relying on instincts and his upbringing to survive. As he becomes an adult, he develops a strong work ethic and grand career ambitions while at the same time being haunted by the memories of the brutal slaying of his family. While in England, he falls in love with Megan, a young American who is the daughter of wealthy and powerful business man. As Ramzi becomes involved with British High Society, and when he goes to America to become a successful business man, he embraces a new culture and values. Despite his new life and loving family, he is haunted by his family's death and overwhelming guilt for not avenging those who destroyed his childhood. Within the story, such themes as honor, love, vengeance, obsession, and overwhelming guilt are predominant. Readers will gain insight into a culture and their beliefs while at the same time revealing human qualities that we all share. The blur between justice and revenge is an important theme. Voice of Conscience is a compelling drama with the author incorporating the traits of a Tragedy very successfully. Readers will empathize with Ramzi's trials and tribulations. It is highly recommended to readers who enjoy compelling stories of human frailty. Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
