Summary

In Chapter 61, Philothei narrates that she is annoyed Ali follows her around, but confesses that she also likes it. When he stops, she fears she is no longer pretty. Sometimes Philothei finds herself walking in front of him on purpose. When Philothei menstruates for the first time at 13, Leyla teaches her about sex.

Chapter 62 is also told in first person, as the entire chapter is a letter from Leonidas to Karatavuk. Though arrogantly, Leonidas praises Karatavuk for his poetic writing. He writes prayers of protection from Karatavuk’s parents, along with their recollections of what has been happening in Eskibahçe; they see an airplane for the first time, Mehmetçik has been taken to a labor battalion, and the imam is sick.

Karatavuk narrates Chapter 63, as he speaks of his friend Fikret. Fikret, another solider, is known for saying, “I am...