The Island

The entire novel takes place on an unnamed Greek island in one of the seas off the mainland. Consisting of Greeks, Jews, Turks, Armenians and Europeans, the island seems to represent the totality of the crumbling Ottoman Empire. Like the Empire, the islanders speak numerous languages, practice different religions, and come from different lineages, but are untied as members of the same population. However, as within the Empire, the people of the island are not as passive as first appearances suggest. With an increase in tensions among racial lines, increased rebel activity, and paranoia of all foreigners, it is clear this island is ripe for violence and corruption, as is the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

Constantinople

The place of residence of the Sultan and his garrison, Constantinople is the center of the Ottoman Empire. The city also represents a dream to Pascali of locating his reports and...