Book reviews – Books about Turkey, all of which have a basis in truth and reality

The first four of these books are fictional and all set in Turkey, yet as all fiction have somewhere some grains of truth. the last three are factual books.

The Architect’s Apprentice - Elif Shafak

I've struggled to read two of Shafak's books before, in fact never finished them. My daughter mentioned this one and I read about it and decided to read it. This one I loved and  finished it.

The descriptions of Ottoman life in 16^th Century Istanbul and the intrigues and the beautiful descriptive language she uses fill this book with color. Jahan by default arrives at the Sultan’s palace with Chota the elephant, about whom he knows nothing, yet manages to become his keeper. He meets many colorful characters along the way, some who will defraud him and others who will help him in unexpected ways.   Jahan manages to catch the eye of Sinan (who was in fact a real architect) and works together with him, never quite achieving the fame and fortune he might have deserved. Captivating and spanning many years, covering factual events and actual architectural wonders.

 

 

 

Perking the Pansies  - Jack Scott

Lisa Morrow (see her books at the end) recommended this book to me after a discussion about ex-pats.

Jack Scott describes his and husband’s (that itself a contradiction in terms in a Muslim country) adventures in Bodrum Turkey. Hilarious in parts and very descriptive in terms of his use of language to help you picture Bodrum, Turkey and his characters.

Expats can be such nightmares in their insistence to bring their mother country into a foreign country. Scott also brings in Turkish culture to his tale along with a couple of moving events, whilst describing some of the fickleness that is apparent on both sides. Love it.

 

Salep and Ginger - Jane Gundogan

I came across a picture of this book on Instagram, I love ginger, not quite sure about Salep, yet

There are plenty of 'chick lit' or romantic fiction accounts of women chasing or being chased by Turkish men or a man. Some of which have their bases in truth, some in imagination. Generally the Turk seems to come off worse (imho the woman might have learned more about Turkish culture and Islam first). For me this book breaks the mold and is not about someone bemoaning her unrequited love for a man who is far younger than her or already has a wife or two.

I can quite happily say I absolutely loved this book, so easy to imagine Ginger and her exploits and to feel for her and her problems, doubts and fun factor. A heart-warming and touching story that is perfectly possible in Turkey and I learned about red underwear!

 

 

A Strangeness in my Mind - Orhan Pamuk

 

Pamuk was recommended to me inadvertently and this was the first English translation I was loaned locally in Dalyan.

Pamuk took six years to write this book. It describes life in Istanbul between 1969 and 201, covering people moving to Istanbul and setting up shacks on the different hills in Istanbul, Their hard work and their disputes. Centered on Mevlut who leaves his village with his father to sell Boza in the evenings and to get an education on the day. He also has a friend write love letters on his behalf  for three years to the girl with beautiful eyes he saw at a wedding in his home village. This love story has a twist in the tale.

Mevlut doesn’t finish school and works on the streets for four decades working several jobs including selling ice cream, yogurt and cooked rice and chick peas.
He watches many changes as the city of shacks is demolished, people are caught using illegal electricity, He sees others making a fortune whilst he struggles to eke out a living and struggles with his regrets.  He sees transformation, political clashes, and military coups that shape the country. He struggles with the source of that strangeness in his mind ad what makes him different. He still sells Boza in the winter and tries to understand the woman he loves.

The book is about fate and what we wish for and which is more important.  The book also looks at the fate of women trapped within their homes in Turkey.

 

Inside out in Istanbul - Lisa Morrow

 

Lisa Morrow gives you lived, factual and well researched information in all three of her books.

Istanbul is not just the world sights such as the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosqueand Dolmabahçe Palace. Once you go beyond the historical district a short ferry ride will bring you to the Asian shores and a suburban world full of spice sellers, male belly dancers, and Turkish underwear stores. Morrow takes you into people’s home where you need to wear the obligatory slippers and no one ever seems to use your bathroom when they visit. The stories in the book cover places the ordinary tourist may well not visit and are worth reading about. And has definitely encouraged me to fulfill my wish to visit Istanbul when travel is easier than in this COVID times.

 

 

Exploring Turkish Landscapes: Crossing Inner Boundaries - Lisa Morrow

In this book Morrow takes the reader out of Istanbul and across Turkey, into Turkish villages with their colorful life and customs. She worked for a while in a Pension (Bed and Breakfast). Her experiences and possibly her youth at the time enabled her to be open minded about another culture and embrace it rather than wanting to change it as many older long term visitors do in the current day and age.

Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom: Adrift in Istanbul - Lisa Morrow

Written at a time when Morrow began to question where she should or wanted to put down roots in the world. She was very drawn to Turkey and a couple of personal events were possibly deciding factors in staying in Istanbul and committing to a property there. Not without difficulties buying a property in Istanbul that alone makes for a very interesting account, as do the experiences with the health care system.  Intelligent writing giving a real insight into people and how much the Turks cherish and revere others, regardless of race or religion. There is so much to learn from all of Morrow's writings.