Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak is a powerful literary fiction novel set between Istanbul and Oxford, spanning from the 1980s to the present day. The story centres on Peri, a wealthy Turkish woman and mother, who appears to live a comfortable and settled life in Istanbul. However, her past resurfaces when a stolen handbag leads to the discovery of an old photograph.
The image transports Peri back to her time at Oxford University, where she was first exposed to new ideas about faith, identity, and belonging. There, she meets a charismatic professor who challenges her beliefs, along with two close friends, Shirin and Mona. The three women—nicknamed “the Sinner,” “the Believer,” and “the Confused”—form a complex friendship shaped by intellectual debate, emotional conflict, and differing worldviews.
As the narrative shifts between past and present, long-buried secrets and unresolved tensions come to light, revealing how deeply their university experiences affected their adult lives.
Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak explores themes of faith, feminism, identity, and cultural conflict, offering a thoughtful reflection on belief systems and the lasting impact of youthful choices.
