Melville House Books

Nadem Gursel at work ... in Paris

A Turkish court has acquitted writer Nedim Gursel of “inciting religious hatred” in his novel Daughters of Allah. As Sebnem Arsu details in a brief New York Times report, “The case came to trial after Ali Emre Bukagili, a member of a group that has campaigned against the theory of evolution, said that Mr. Gursel used inappropriate language against the Prophet Muhammad, his wives and the Koran that could not be interpreted as freedom of expression.”

Gursel faced at least a year in prison if convicted, according to the Times report, although a more detailed story in the Guardian by Richard Lea says it could have been as much as three years, and that Gursel was essentially let off on a technicallity. Both newspapers agree on one thing, however: Gursel has since moved to France.

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.