Which Way the Fish Swim

Which Way the Fish Swim tells the story of one family's struggle to reclaim the property they lost as displaced people from Northern Cyprus following the Turkish Peace Operation of 1974. Xander and his young family had to leave their home in Kyrenia (known as Girne in Turkish) under gunfire, with Layna in labour. Xander is taken as a P.O.W. and tortured. Layna gives birth alone, watched by her two-year-old son, Nikos. Their story unfolds throughout the book. In 2004, Nikos decides the family property in Northern Cyprus still belongs to his family. He investigates and finds a retired Australian couple has bought the house. In the ensuing discussions, the Australian Cornwall family retains the services of a Northern Cypriot lawyer, Asli Ozdemir, who Nikos is tempted by. But he has fallen in love with the lovely daughter of the Australian couple, Sylvie, who is recovering from a broken romance. Nikos plays the two women and in so doing risks losing both them and the property. Set against the background of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation and the 2003-4 efforts by the UN to unite the country, this is a story of patriotism, loyalty, lust, love, betrayal and forgiveness.