I’ve always been an avid reader and it’s a real treat for me to become immersed in a good book. A holiday means at least a couple of good reads and part of the enjoyment is deciding which books to take with me – one of which should preferably be set in the destination I’m travelling to. In September we were off to Turkey and I decided to ask my Twitter friends for their recommendations.
My tweet and Julie Wetz’s reply…
@BrowsingAtlas aka Julie Wetz suggested Alan Drew’s Gardens of Water – how could I not read this book after her last tweet!
Set near Istanbul after the catastrophic 1999 earthquake two families of diverse nationality and faith are linked forever. Sinan, a devout Kurdish Muslim, his wife Nilüfer, teenage daughter Irem, and favoured son Ismail live in an apartment below an American family; father Marcus, teenage son Dylan, and Marcus’ wife who dies saving Ismail’s life in the earthquake. When the Americans, led by Marcus, set up a refugee camp for those affected by the quake, Sinan and his family reluctantly join the camp when they can no longer survive on the streets. The situation allows for a growing relationship between Irem and Dylan that has devastating consequences for both families.
Sinan often visits the city, the descriptions of which helped me see Istanbul from an insider’s perspective. He takes Ismail to the holiest of mosques as part of his ‘coming of age’ and whilst teaching his son how to pray they become distracted by noisy tourists visiting the mosque. This scene is described so vividly that it left a lasting impression. When I visited the working Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque I was very aware of the behaviour of certain tourists and was able to see the mosque not only as a visitor but partly through Sinan’s eyes too.
One of the books many themes is the clash of faith and culture between the Kurdish and the American families. Istanbul is the ideal setting; a city that spans two continents – Europe and Asia – and where the Muslim world meets Christianity. The Hagia Sophia mosque echoes this; built originally as a church, then used as a mosque – it’s now a museum and displays relics from both religions.
The imposing Bosphorus Bridge was the setting for a defining scene in the novel - I’ll not tell you why in case you decide to read it. When I saw the bridge from the water during a boat trip the size, height and expanse of it made a huge impact on me given the devastating scene played out around it.
Gardens of Water added many layers to my stay in Istanbul giving me a deeper insight into the city, its faiths, cultures and recent history. I feel through reading the book I gained more of an understanding about everyday life, especially those of women, living in and around Istanbul. Both the book and the city will stay with me a long while yet…
Theworks.co.uk is celebrating the film release of Kerouac’s legendary ‘On the Road’ by asking book-loving travel bloggers to share their travel reading experiences. Thank you to Richard from ‘A Bit of Culture’ for my nomination. Do have a read of his fab ‘Train Spotting’ entry.
My nominations are to Meg from Meg Travels, Alisa from Eat, Travel, Photograph and Simon at Ships Cooks Stuff. I’m looking forward to reading your entries. The competition is open to anyone and for details on how to enter see the competition page: www.theworks.co.uk/travelbloggercomp
i loved Istanbul and I love to read a book and then visit the place. Putting it on my to read list in case i go back to the city.
Thanks for popping by – be warned it’ a sad read
Oh, I LOVED Istanbul! I was only able to spend 2 days there, and I just knew it wasn’t enough time! I really hope to go back to Turkey one day!
Hi Jill, we were also there two days and crammed lots in but there is still much we didn’t see. Might just have to return! Thank you for dropping by
Travel and sailing is the best. I traveled all the United states of America. all central America, also all the Carebbean Islands and all Canada provinces. RIMAS MELESHYUS
I adore Turkey and was able to spend 5 days in Istanbul (then 2 weeks on a bus tour of much of the country) last year. I must put this book on my “to read” list, but thank you for the “sad” warning. I’m trying desperately to remember the names of two mysteries set in Istanbul, both of which were great reads. Where is my brain when I need it?
I’d love to have spent 5 days there! We also visited Pammukale, Cappodocia and Bodrum – the longest bus journey was 10.5 hours – killer! Try this for books set in the city http://bit.ly/TJosTs
Cappadocia was incredible. I really want to go again and spend 3 or 4 days, with a car so I can go wherever at different times of day to catch the best lighting. Also would love to stay in one of those specialty hotels where the rooms look like the inside of fairy chimneys (but still have modern conveniences). As for the bus ride, well, yes 10.5 hours is pretty long, but at my age it’s a great opportunity for a nap. And when we weren’t napping, our incredible guide was giving us history lessons (he was studying for his doctorate in Turkish history), and I was busy taking notes—something that’s hard to do when you’re walking around the ruins themselves and taking photos. Many thanks for the books link. I will definitely check that out
We loved Cappadocia too and had 3 days there. We were lucky to be ugraded to a Fairy Chimney on our first night (the previous people wanted to move as there was no TV….!) I’d love to go back too. Keep an eye out for lots of Turkey posts coming up
I hope you have some photos of your fairy-chimney room in those upcoming posts. I look forward to them. More Turkey posts coming on my blog, too.
I’ll keep an eye out – looking forward to them. There’s a couple of pics on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thetravelbunny but I’ve got so much to write up it’ll be a while before they’re posted on the blog.
Loved it. Now I REALLY want to go back and stay there
My favourite travel writer is PJ O’Rourke. Brilliant wit. Nice post Suzanne. Must get to Istanbul!
Thanks Sandy – Will check out Mr O’Rourke. Istanbul will blow you away, amazing city.
Cool. PJ O’Rourke was a Foreign Correspondent. In my humble view ‘Holidays in Hell’ was his seminal work
Just been on A**z** – 4 hour flight tomorrow so will need a good read. Tenerife conference at the Abama
You may also find you have a new twitter follower
Would that be the hat-wearing expat? Thanks
I loved Istanbul so will have to add this one to the reading list!
It’s a very sad read so make sure you’re in the mood…
I have a feeling that if I get my hands on this book I’ll want to go to Istanbul even more! A great entry, Suzanne. Good luck!
Thanks Jo – it was a sad read but cast another view of the city to my visit…
Gorgeous pics of Istanbul! I’ll make sure I read the book you posted about and thanks for nominating me for the reading challenge!!
I hope you have time as I realise you’re busy with your lovely new blog!
Thank you so much for the nomination! I’ll get to work on it right now
Look forward to your entry Meg.
I haven’t read this one either so I’ll have to put it on my xmas list
It’s a good but sad read so don’t read it if you need cheering up!
‘Gardens of Water” sounds like just the thing for my flight out to Vientiane on the 1st.
Shall check it out right away.
You’re going to Laos, how wonderful. Are you passing through any other nearby countries? Hope you enjoy the book Madhu
Onward to Cambodia and ending with s few days in Bangkok. Can’t wait
Glad you’re including Cambodia – Siem Reap is incredible as is Bangkok but in a different way of course…
Cheers for entering and for the link. Istanbul is in my travel wishlist top 3. I’ll take this book along with me (and I’ll be quiet in the blue mosque) if and when I get there.
It’s an amazing city and you’ll need a few days there – two wasn’t enough…
Thanks for the nomination Richard
I actually own this book and now I must put it at the top of my list. I’ve also been to Turkey and loved it, so will look forward to adding another layer to my experience. Have you ever read “The Black Book” by Orhan Pamuk?
Turkey is so diverse. Will have to check out The Black Book – thanks for the tip…