My Aliye, My Soul Filiz (Book)

My Dear Aliye, My Soul Filiz is a work composed of letters written by Sabahattin Ali to his wife Aliye and his daughter Filiz. These letters shed light on the author’s private life and inner world, revealing not only his devotion to his family but also providing clues about the social and political conditions of his time.

At the core of the work lies Sabahattin Ali’s profound love and longing for his family. The letters span from his engagement period through marriage, the birth of his daughter Filiz, and the periods of separation from his family due to difficult living conditions. In his writings, Ali’s love for his wife Aliye, his paternal affection for his daughter, and his efforts to keep his family united are powerfully felt. In addition, the letters address the social and economic conditions of the era, his professional life, and his literary development.

• Sabahattin Ali: In the work, he emerges as a loving spouse, a sensitive father, and a combative intellectual. Beyond his identity as an artist, he is portrayed as a responsible and deeply devoted family man.
• Aliye Ali: Sabahattin Ali’s wife Aliye is depicted in the letters as a figure of deep emotional connection, someone he longs for and wishes to share his life with.
• Filiz Ali: Sabahattin Ali’s daughter Filiz is portrayed with great affection in the letters as a cherished child, a source of concern, and a symbol of hope for the future.

The central theme of the book is love and longing. Sabahattin Ali’s deep affection for his family is felt in every line of the letters. In addition, themes of separation and loss, struggle and hope, society and literature, and social hardships also occupy a significant place in the book. His unwavering commitment to preserving his love for his family under all circumstances is one of the strongest emotional elements expressed in the letters.

Sabahattin Ali’s letters are written in an intimate and heartfelt style. Although literary devices are not frequently employed, the expressions are marked by high emotional intensity and sincere appeals. The letters addressed to Aliye feature a language heavily influenced by Ottoman Turkish, while those written to Filiz adopt a simple and clear style. Sabahattin Ali’s tone is woven with a warm and fluid language that reflects his emotional world.

This collection is regarded as an important document that reveals not only Sabahattin Ali’s literary identity but also his deeply human dimensions.