Everything you need to understand or teach Gardens of Water.
"Gardens of Water" is a 2008 novel written by American author Alan Drew. The book takes place just before and following the 1999 Marmara, or Izmit, earthquake in Turkey. Alan Drew was in Istanbul when the devastating earthquake hit and was living in Turkey as an English literature teacher. The book is a work of fiction based on the people that Alan Drew met and his understanding of Turkish customs and the Islamic religion. The characters of Sinan and his family deal with issues that Alan Drew saw amongst many Turkish families following the tragic earthquake that killed 17,000 and left over half a million people homeless.
When the book begins, Sinan and his son Ismail are returning to Gölcük after spending the day in Istanbul. It is the day of Ismail's circumcision and the pre-teen boy is nervous. Everyone showers Ismail with attention, giving him free food and... View more of the Gardens of Water: A Novel Summary
