“Willie, a man only needs ten seconds to start feeling happy.”
“What do you mean, ten seconds?”
Smiling, as usual, he said, “All one needs is to think of someone like me.”
The spectacular story of two wounded souls healing each other breaks all mental boundaries. Willie's success in football culminated in an invitation to join the Dallas Cowboys, which seemed to guarantee him a great future. He played impressively; however, blows of fate were not as easy to resist as sports’ rivals were. The indifference and betrayal of loved ones forced Willie into an inner fortress; he lost all interest in life. Changing jobs yet again, he became a janitor at a hospital. Here, he encounters a young immigrant who has gone through great losses and the horrors of war and now is fighting cancer. At the MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, people call him an angel. Usually, patients with a diagnosis like his don’t have long to live, but the young immigrant with a positive outlook on life is not afraid. Rather than thinking about his own death, he sets himself a challenge: to bring Willie back to life. Will this “angel” who has preserved a human love inside be able to untie Willie from his past and set him free? Everyone meets his or her own “angel” in life. Sometimes, it is another human being; sometimes it’s a book. The novel, which became a bestseller in its native Azerbaijan in 2016–2018, gave hope to thousands of people and saved many who were on the verge of suicide. The friendship of the two protagonists stands for universal values and their victory over social, religious, and national barriers. This book is dedicated to everyone who does not give up and stands up to cancer and other great challenges.
“But the author has created two strong characters in Willie and Wisam and added some genuine wisdom and intriguing developments.
An engaging tale that wears its sincerity proudly and offers readers spiritual sustenance.”
Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
This City is Empty is a beautiful story of finding your center and that one person who will change you for the better. I am a huge fan of author Rovshan Abdullaoglu and loved The Man on the Rails. The narrative is simple yet so empowering. You will feel hopeful and one with the characters. I loved how positive the whole story was. You feel connected with Willie and Wisam; they give you the desire to read on because they will feel like friends to you. This isn't your typical feel-good book. It feels genuine and enticing at the same time. Friendship knows no religion or nationality. You need to have a connection with a person. Willie and Wisam had that and readers will have that connection with them both. The plot is so simple but it is profound. Mr. Rovshan is a masterly writer! ★★★★★
Two memorable lives collide in This City is Empty, an emotionally gripping and challenging novel by Rovshan Abdullaoglu. Willie and Wisam's unlikely friendship is steeped in intellectual maneuvering and debate, making this both a wonderful story and an educational treasure hunt with gems of knowledge peppered throughout. Driving headlong at tough topics such as depression, psychological disorders, family loyalty, individual honor, and cultural expectations, this story defies classification, but also demands attention. Abdullaoglu weaves philosophy, poetry, rhetoric, and self-reflection in a masterful way, making this novel an unpredictable and ultimately profound read.
