Nihan Kaya’s novel Haze explores the deep and complex relationship between two characters from vastly different cultural and social backgrounds.

Yasef Abravanel: The only son of a prominent Jewish family in Istanbul, Yasef is a refined and gentle Istanbul gentleman. He believes that his greatest achievement in life is loving a woman.

Nur: Born in Palestine and raised in the midst of war, Nur has lost everyone she ever loved. Deprived of affection, she grows up to be a fierce activist and Yasef’s childhood love.

Yasef has adored Nur since childhood, yet while he was raised in a loving family, Nur endured the hardships of war and developed an emotionally distant nature. Their opposing values and life experiences form the core of the novel, which deeply examines the impact of love and war on the human soul.

Themes in Haze:

• Love and Contrasts: Yasef and Nur’s differing pasts and values create obstacles in their relationship, forming the central conflicts of the novel.
• The Effects of War: Nur’s upbringing amid war and loss shapes her character and worldview.
• Reality and Fiction: The novel alternates between chapters titled “Novel” and “Reality,” blurring the line between fiction and truth. Scenes set in Bakırköy Psychiatric Hospital—where patients become doctors and doctors become patients—challenge conventional beliefs about psychiatry and narrative structure.

With profound psychological analysis and rich symbolism, Nihan Kaya captivates readers by drawing them into the inner worlds of her characters. Haze is a powerful novel for those who seek to explore love, war, and the depths of human psychology.