Hell Journey to Freedom

This tale of youth (Hell Journey to Freedom) unfolds in 1453. The emperor of Byzantium feels secure behind the high walls of Constantinople, but Mehmet II the Conqueror has his teeth further and further into the planned invasion. Astra, the protagonist, is hopelessly in love with Alexis, son of the Byzantine military commander, but before they get to know each other better, the city is conquered by the Turks. Then their lives take a dramatic change. Astra ends up in the harem of the Sultan and Alexis is forced to participate in the corps of Janissaries service. Will they ever see each other? Henk van Oorschot graduated from the Pedagogische Academy with a degree in Dutch history. He gathered his material for his stories mostly from his travels to countries like Tibet, Cambodia, Uganda, Suriname, Bolivia and Turkey. In everyday life, he is deputy director of a primary school.