The Book of Garipler (Book)

The Book of Strangers, written by British author Ian Dallas (Abdulkadir al-Sufi), was first published in English in 1971 in England under the title The Book of Strangers. The novel centers on the intellectual and geographical journey of an unnamed narrator as he confronts experiences of individual and cultural alienation within modern Western society. The work explores both a personal quest for identity and the contrast between Western thought and the traditional structures of the East, all within the framework of the novel form. Over time, it has been translated into multiple languages and has gained recognition as a transformative text, particularly within the Islamic world.

The novel focuses on the identity crisis experienced by a young, unnamed intellectual living in Western Europe, and the subsequent intellectual and physical journey that follows. The protagonist begins to question his current way of life due to the cultural disintegration, moral aimlessness, and individual alienation he encounters in his society. This questioning is not merely personal but also concerns the values of the civilization in which he is embedded.

His inability to form meaningful connections within his environment leads him to leave the city and seek out places where simpler, more direct human relationships are possible. Through encounters with different social structures, traditional ways of life, and various thinkers, his worldview gradually transforms. Especially in the later sections of the novel, he comes into direct contact with Islamic culture during his travels in Eastern societies. This encounter is not an abrupt conversion but a gradual process of orientation. The protagonist’s transformation is portrayed as a multi-layered journey, directed both outward toward the external world and inward toward his inner self.

Structurally, this journey represents both geographical movement and mental transition. Each experience the protagonist undergoes, every person he meets, and every community he observes push him to reshape his existing worldview. In this context, The Book of Strangers links an individual story of transformation with a broader cultural and civilizational search for change.

Alienation:

The central character positions himself as disconnected from his surroundings within the modern Western society’s structure, which isolates the individual, mechanizes existence, and detaches life from meaning. The routines of daily life, social expectations, and superficial relationships prevent him from establishing a healthy sense of belonging. In this way, the novel reveals a form of existential alienation, highlighting the weakening of the individual’s bonds with both self and environment in contemporary society.

Quest for Identity:

The protagonist’s identity crisis is not merely a personal turmoil but an expression of the profound disorientation experienced by a person severed from historical and cultural references. Throughout the novel, he reflects on his familial past, cultural identity, and the values of his society. The novel emphasizes that identity is not merely a sociological construct but a multi-layered structure shaped by belief and worldview. His journey is not static but a continuous process of questioning and searching.

Spiritual Orientation:

The protagonist’s intellectual journey gradually moves away from secular and rationalist frameworks toward spiritual and metaphysical inquiry. This orientation is not simply an attempt to fill a personal void but a search for meaning in response to the crisis of meaning in his world. Throughout the novel, this quest becomes especially evident in sections where he engages with Islamic thought and Sufi concepts. Spiritual orientation plays a structural role in the protagonist’s transformation.

Social Critique:

Underlying the novel is a subtle yet distinct cultural critique of modern Western society. Issues such as consumer culture, the exaggeration of individualism, the disintegration of social structures, and the weakening of traditional bonds are addressed indirectly. These critiques are conveyed through the protagonist’s observations and his encounters with alternative social systems. The novel constructs a narrative that implies not only the individual but also the civilization to which he belongs must undergo a process of self-examination.