Nonexistent Country (Book)

The Nonexistent Country is a fantasy novel crafted by Ahmet Ümit with rich fantastical elements. The book narrates the great war between humans and sorcerers on the “Day Plains” and the events that follow, with particular emphasis on mythological motifs and the depths of the human soul on. In the story, sorcerers believe they were created from dust and regard humans as inferior. After the humans emerge victorious in war, the sorcerers retreat into a mountain while the humans celebrate their triumph with a grand festival. However, the narrative centers around the romance between Rüzgâr, the son of the sorcerer king, and the three daughters of the sultan. Water Hanım, though the sultan’s most beloved daughter, struggles with making a choice. Just before the wedding, Su Hanım encounters Rüzgâr, who has been transformed into a donkey and is a sorcerer, and begins to fall in love with him as a young man. Yet this secret love transforms into a complex journey within the sorcerers’ world. The novel offers a profound perspective on love, betrayal, magic and fairy-tale elements.

• Su Hanım: The protagonist of the novel, Su Hanım is one of the three daughters of the sultan, renowned for her beauty and favored above the others. Possessing a kind and pure nature, Su Hanım discovers love and her own emotions while escaping the pressures of her father and societal expectations. Her inner journey becomes a quest for heroism as she ventures into the sorcerers’ realm and the realm of immortal love.
• Rüzgâr: The son of the sorcerer king, Rüzgâr enters the world driven by vengeance. Yet after falling in love with Su Hanım, his innate goodness and sincere feelings come to the fore. His most defining trait is his ability to conceal his true identity beyond his outward appearance and keep all his secrets hidden within.
• The Sultan: An authoritarian and protective father, he loves his three daughters but sees them always as children. His refusal to understand or accept Su Hanım’s choice contributes significantly to the tragic elements of the story.
• The Sorcerer Queen: Rüzgâr’s mother and a pivotal figure in the sorcerers’ world, she is a powerful and manipulative character. In her efforts to protect Rüzgâr, she sometimes acts cruelly, complicating Su Hanım’s journey.

The Nonexistent Country is a fairy tale in which love, betrayal, magic, and self-discovery take center stage. The story begins with a wedding that tests Su Hanım’s loyalty to her father and the pressure to choose a suitor. Yet the internal conflicts she experiences lead her into a secret love and a far greater world. During this process, Su Hanım strives to conceal her love for Rüzgâr and overcome numerous obstacles. The magical journeys within the sorcerers’ realm, battles with enchanted beings, and the ultimate quest to reach the Moon Peak form the novel’s main conflict. The Sorcerer Queen’s persistent attempts to none Su Hanım and Rüzgâr’s efforts to protect her constitute the most thrilling parts of the narrative.

• Love and Revenge: Love is the central theme of The Nonexistent Country. The love between Su Hanım and Rüzgâr sets off a grand adventure and demands great sacrifice, while revenge and anger also play significant roles within the sorcerers’ world.
• Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: Su Hanım’s discovery of her inner strength and true identity is central to her character development. Her journey to find herself and her love becomes a process of maturation for all the characters.
• Magic and Reality: Throughout the novel, the boundaries between reality and illusion continually blur. The interaction between sorcery and human emotions strengthens the novel’s fantastical dimension.
• Social Pressures and Individual Choice: The struggle between Su Hanım’s loyalty to her father and society’s expected choices, on one hand, and her desire to follow her own heart and love the person she chooses, on the other, forms the novel’s profound social critique.