Kan İftirası is a historical novel that explores an unexpected love story blossoming on a ship voyage in the Mediterranean and the 1840 Damascus Affair, one of history's dark chapters; it transports the reader to the multi-religious, multicultural Eastern Mediterranean world of the 19th century, weaving together themes of love, prejudice, and justice.
The novel narrates the fragile relationship developing between François, appointed as consul to Damascus, and Claire, whom he meets during the journey, alongside the social hysteria caused by the blood libel targeting Jews. Events starting with the disappearance of Father Thomas escalate through accusations fueled by rumors and hatred; tortures, injustices, and the disregard for innocence reveal a bitter face of history. In Kan İftirası, Bülent Şenocak questions not only a single era but the persistence of prejudice in human history; he both sweeps the reader along with the flow of the novel and invites them to reflect.
The second edition of the novel Kan İftirası was published by Yakın Publications in 2022.