Once There Was, Twice There Wasn't: Fifty Turkish Folktales of Nasreddin Hodja

by Michael Shelton, Allyson Baldwin (Editor)

Fifty colorful tales celebrate the exploits of the wise Nasreddin Hodja as he rescues friends, humiliates enemies, and transforms folly into fortune with his quick wit and clever tongue. These authentic stories offer an entertaining and insightful window into Middle Eastern culture from one of region’s most beloved folk heroes.

Genres: Short Stories

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2012

Reviews

[Lubinka Dimitrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny book was so delightful! Michael Shelton's rendering of these popular and well known throughout the whole Balkan region stories is not only wonderfully crafted, but also his love for the region's culture shines through the whole book. I was truly sad that it was over so soon. Couldn't recommend it high enough for people who are never too old to read fairy tales and folklore stories.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read folklore from a culture and society that I and most Americans know nothing about. I recommend this to everyone. Michael Shelton's love of this country and its culture shines through in the folklore he has passed on in this book. Enjoyable to read and a quick read as well. It left me wanting to read more and discover more about Turkey.

[Ma Jing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great snapshot of Turkish culture through comic proverbial stories.

[Pen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever set of stories that reveal culture and humor and wisdom.

[Wrbill Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful Collection

Wonderful tales from a culture not known to many Americans. Wisdom, humor, and compassion from a comic Islamic village sage.

[Joel E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

This book is one of rhe most pleasant ways to understand the difference between the cultures of the east vs west.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom & Humor Walk Hand in Hand in the Tales of Nasreddin

Part trickster, part pious devotee; sometimes as wise as Solomon, occasionally as foolish as the village idiot, Nasreddin makes his way through life with a combination of an agile wit, reliance on sheer luck and willingness to accept every circumstance just as it is. These stories teach us to look beyond outward appearances to the human values that reside much deeper in the heart. They invite us to abandon the lazy practice of relying on conventional points of view in favor of cultivating the ability to circle every circumstance in search of the perspective others have overlooked. Like Aesop's Fables, Nasreddin's stories certainly impart their own morals, but their deeper value lies in offering us a unique method for understanding the world and our lives in it.

[Matthew Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious, heartwarming, and clever.