Job Discussion Forums

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

saloma

saloma · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 211

I believe they just follow the Islamic Lunar Calendar for religious days and months, (it worked that way in Egypt when I was there). The rest of the time they use the gregorian calendar.

Here in Taiwan, we just entered "Ghost Month" acording to the Chinese Lunar calendar. That means for one month we can't bring up the subjects like ghosts or superstition in our classrooms for fear that our students will pick up and run from the room.

Upside: Superstitious Chinese won't swim in the ocean during Ghost Month, so the beaches are suprisingly uncrowded.

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

I liked "A Fez of the Heart" by Jeremy Seal. Not so much a work of literature, though, as it is about exploring the soul of Turkey. He was a TEFLer, too. Funny book.

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

I found a little book by Puerre Loti about Istanbul in the belediye bookstore on Istaklal. He really loved this city. I also found his novel about his love for a woman. It (the book) sort of didn't end, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Andrew Mango's Ataturk. John Freely's books. Nicole and Hugh Pope's book about modern Turkey. portrait of Turkish Family by Irfan Orga. Leyla Hanimefendi, her memoirs of life in the harem in the Ciragan Palas.

I loved Orhan Pamuks' My Name is Red, but in general his writing is rather heavy. I'm trying to slog through Snow these days. Argh.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Thank you Molly! Irfan Orga - Life in a Turkish Family. Great book. Bought it twice, lent it twice, lost it twice. Time to renew.

Any other suggestions for novels set in Turkey, not necessarily by Turkish authors? (One of these days I will tackle Orhan Pamuk - who I have a lot of respect for, although I've never read any of his books - but I'm slightly put off by the "heavy" reputation.)

Has anyone read "Lords of the Golden Horn" by Noel Barber? I thought that was good for potted history.

Freely (father and daughter) both deserve a browse.

Who wrote "Dervish"? That was quite good.

I agree that "A Fez of the Heart" is good/fun.

"Towers of Trebizond" by Rose MacAuley is ancient but enjoyable. Says more about the Brits than the Turks maybe.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

FGT, dont be put off by the heavy reputation that Pamuk has. He isnt really. His style of writing is just not very Turkish, more western.. He really is worth a read.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The book by de Bernieres is certainly worth a read. I am not sure I swallow his ideas about the wonders of the Ottoma Empire though.

With the creation of the Turkish Republic, the Gregorian Calendar was adopted. The HEGIRA (ie Islamic Lunar) calendar was maintained for religious purposes.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

Yeah ,I read during the summer ,a really good insight into the countries history ,anyone tried to find the place mentioned in the book ?Does it really exist ?

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

And returning to the original topic of the thread, (not that football isn't a good distraction, under the circumstances).

I have actually got around to both reading and enjoying a book by Orhan Pamuk - I read "Snow" and loved it.

In a lighter vein, has anyone else read the Barbara Nadel detective series set in Istanbul? I think they're excellent.

Also, for those who like to travel and read and read about travelling - here is an important recommendation:

GO TO DAUNTS BOOKSHOP IN LONDON - it's on Marylebone high street, a stone's throw from Mme Tussaud's, set in a beautiful galleried building. It has a good selection of general books and a unique display of travel books. The difference is that for every country/region represented, you find books on cookery, history, maps, guidebooks, phrasebooks, novels, children's books etc etc all together. Also in the Turkish section are back copies of "Turqouise" magazine.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bookshops ? I like Pandora's Box - just off Istiklal and of course 'Robinson Crusoe' Wonderful ! And nice to see that people still read real books !

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

I am re-reading Constantinople the city of the world's desires (by Phillip Mansel). It covers the Ottoman empire. Umberto Eco has a great book called Baudolino, which is set around the first fall of Constantinople (Bloody Crusaders!). Most of Amin Maalouf's books involve Anatolia in some form over the last 2000 years. His books are great as often they portray how the powers that were interacted with each other. The Gardens of light, Leo the African, The Rock of Tanos etc.. are all amazing books.

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

Anything by Bernard Lewis is very good. He seems to be one of the main authorities on the whole middle eastern region.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

Ah, I didn't know those shops charged more, I guess passing on some of the import cost? I liked reading Birds Without Wings but thought it was a bit overly sentimental. Amin Malouf's (probably spelt it wrong but I'm too lazy to check) books are like sugar-coated pills - a good way to ingest a bit of history while reading a great story.
Too many books to buy, not enough cash or time to read, but good tips - thanks...