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Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy
Turkey is a nation of contradictions and contrasts. Though considered democratic, the Erdogan government has increasingly begun to resemble a dictatorship, jailing its opponents and violently suppressing dissent. And though Turkey is notionally secular, the Justice and Development Party’s power has fed the creeping influence of religious conservatism, with figures in the party denouncing abortion rights and attempting to criminalize adultery. Having long occupied an uneasy middle ground between a secular West and Islamic East, Turkey has been drawn into the conflicts of its neighbors, including the Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war, and the rise of ISIS. In this fascinating portrait of a nation in turmoil, the renowned Turkish journalist and novelist Ece Temelkuran provides a vivid and deeply personal account of the crisis afflicting modern Turkey.
Temelkuran identifies a long-running culture of repression and authoritarianism that has plagued Turkey throughout its history, a culture she traces back to the fall of the Ottomans and the continued climate of denial around the Armenian genocide. But, she firmly believes there is still a strong voice of dissent in Turkey, and she argues that the Gezi Park protests of 2013 represented a glimmer of hope that has not yet been fully extinguished and may still grow to rejuvenate democracy in the country. Providing unique insight into Turkey’s ongoing political turmoil, this is a timely look at a country that is caught at the center of many of the changes and much of the turmoil of the Middle East today.
Temelkuran identifies a long-running culture of repression and authoritarianism that has plagued Turkey throughout its history, a culture she traces back to the fall of the Ottomans and the continued climate of denial around the Armenian genocide. But, she firmly believes there is still a strong voice of dissent in Turkey, and she argues that the Gezi Park protests of 2013 represented a glimmer of hope that has not yet been fully extinguished and may still grow to rejuvenate democracy in the country. Providing unique insight into Turkey’s ongoing political turmoil, this is a timely look at a country that is caught at the center of many of the changes and much of the turmoil of the Middle East today.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2016
38 people are currently reading
995 people want to read
About the author
Ece Temelkuran
32 books560 followersEce Temelkuran, Turkish author, was born in 1973. She is a daily columnist of one of the most popular Turkish newspapers for ten years and a prize winning journalist. Her primary concerns that she addresses are the contemporary criticism of popular culture, masques of politics, women issues, and all other deteriorating identities of humanity. She uses various forms of dramatic sentimentalism and black humor together, combined with her postmodern style, creating space for tactful connections to everyday life. She is the author of three experimental literary fiction books written in the form of poem in prose, and a documentary book on hunger strikes. Lately she published two collections of articles from her column. Temelkuran is the pioneering signature of her generation with opposing voice as a young intellectual, and always brave to tell about “never to talk subjects” of Turkey.
She graduated from Faculty of Law, Ankara University in 1995. She started her journalism studies at Cumhuriyet newspaper in 1993. She worked on women’s movement, Southeast Issue in Turkey and also political detainees. Her first book, “All Women Are Confused “ was published in 1993.She was chosen as the “Journalist of the year” by German government and then she made a research on Women movement in Germany in 1993, the same year when she was chosen as the Journalist of the year.
Her research book “My Son, My Daughter, My State-The Mothers Of Detainees- From Homes To Streets.” Was published in 1997. She was awarded by Office of Doctors since she had a research paper “Virginity Test is A Crime” for Cumhuriyet journal.
Her poem- prose books “From the Edge” and “Voice Of The Inside” were published by Everest. She went to Brazil in 2003 and to India in 2004 to observe World Social Forum. She examined the nation movement after the economic Crisis in Argentina. Her books that include newspaper articles Voice Of The Inside and From Outside were published by Everest in 2005. She took the Idea and Democracy Award by the Office of Doctors in Turkey with her book “We Are Having Revolution Here, Senorita!” (Everest, 2006). She was also awarded by Diyarbakır Democratic Platform with her book “What Should I Tell You?”. Ece Temelkuran, who deserved the award of Freedom for Idea by Ayşenur Zorakolu, keeps writing on her column “From The Edge” at Haberturk newspaper and her latest books “The Deep Mountain” (2008) and “Sounds of Bananas” (2010) are published by Everest.
She graduated from Faculty of Law, Ankara University in 1995. She started her journalism studies at Cumhuriyet newspaper in 1993. She worked on women’s movement, Southeast Issue in Turkey and also political detainees. Her first book, “All Women Are Confused “ was published in 1993.She was chosen as the “Journalist of the year” by German government and then she made a research on Women movement in Germany in 1993, the same year when she was chosen as the Journalist of the year.
Her research book “My Son, My Daughter, My State-The Mothers Of Detainees- From Homes To Streets.” Was published in 1997. She was awarded by Office of Doctors since she had a research paper “Virginity Test is A Crime” for Cumhuriyet journal.
Her poem- prose books “From the Edge” and “Voice Of The Inside” were published by Everest. She went to Brazil in 2003 and to India in 2004 to observe World Social Forum. She examined the nation movement after the economic Crisis in Argentina. Her books that include newspaper articles Voice Of The Inside and From Outside were published by Everest in 2005. She took the Idea and Democracy Award by the Office of Doctors in Turkey with her book “We Are Having Revolution Here, Senorita!” (Everest, 2006). She was also awarded by Diyarbakır Democratic Platform with her book “What Should I Tell You?”. Ece Temelkuran, who deserved the award of Freedom for Idea by Ayşenur Zorakolu, keeps writing on her column “From The Edge” at Haberturk newspaper and her latest books “The Deep Mountain” (2008) and “Sounds of Bananas” (2010) are published by Everest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 29, 2016
Imagine that there are an escalating litany of terrible things happening in your country that for some reason no one is talking about. Past and current crimes are unacknowledged, ordinary political discourse is both callous and unhinged, but meanwhile institutions and society at-large continues on as if nothing is happening. This is a recipe for mass insanity, but it is also a feeling that is commonly shared among many people today.
This wonderful book is an examination of this phenomenon as it pertains to Turkey. Reading it, I couldn't help but be struck with the parallels to the experiences of people in the United States. Turkey has experienced incredible, nearly unfathomable, tumult and social change over a century. The violence these changes have necessarily entailed is hard to comprehend, and has its match perhaps only in China. But the phenomenon of unacknowledged history and tragedy is one that is universal, as it turns out. The author examines the faults of her own society, but not in the formulaic fashion way intended to pander to Western sensibilities. It is like a love-letter to ones country that condemns it, but does so with incredible humor and humaneness. The hope is that the object of criticism will understand and heed, not just be damned. It is also written in an informal style that makes it both very accessible and relatable, but also very personal.
I take this as the gold-standard for criticism - written with deep empathy, historical awareness, and humor, not to mention effortlessly beautiful prose.
This wonderful book is an examination of this phenomenon as it pertains to Turkey. Reading it, I couldn't help but be struck with the parallels to the experiences of people in the United States. Turkey has experienced incredible, nearly unfathomable, tumult and social change over a century. The violence these changes have necessarily entailed is hard to comprehend, and has its match perhaps only in China. But the phenomenon of unacknowledged history and tragedy is one that is universal, as it turns out. The author examines the faults of her own society, but not in the formulaic fashion way intended to pander to Western sensibilities. It is like a love-letter to ones country that condemns it, but does so with incredible humor and humaneness. The hope is that the object of criticism will understand and heed, not just be damned. It is also written in an informal style that makes it both very accessible and relatable, but also very personal.
I take this as the gold-standard for criticism - written with deep empathy, historical awareness, and humor, not to mention effortlessly beautiful prose.
October 19, 2020
"...fascism isn't when the bad guys suddenly materialise and kick the living daylights out of the good guys. Fascism is a gradual loss of humanity. The progression is so slow it may be invisible to the naked eye."
TURKEY: The Insane and the Melancholy by Ece Temelkuran, tr. from the Turkish by Zeynap Beler, 2015 Turkish / 2016 English.
Deep appreciation for a book that unveils a social and political history that I (unfortunately) knew so little about.
Temelkuran structures the book in 3 sections: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow, nodding to the past and "how we got here" with rich descriptions, photographs, letters; the rise of autocratic leaders and human rights abuses, the neverending undeclared war with the Kurdish people and the associated atrocities; and a look to the future, relations with Europe, bridging with Asia, and other political powers.
Temelkuran writes with boldness and candor here in this book, but also throughout her career as a journalist and political commentator. Her criticism of the Turkish government has led to her dismissal from several news outlets, yet she remains a strong voice and conscience, continuing to speak to the abuses of people AND power.
Her skill as a writer shines through in translation as well (and undoubtedly thanks to her translator!) I was fond of her style with lists, bullet points, and visual graphics to bolster and clarify her arguments.
Because I know little of Turkish modern history, and this was likely written for an audience with that cultural knowledge, there were many things that went "over my head". However this intrigues me even more to go and fill in the gaps! It remains a very readable and valuable resource for anyone, even without knowledge of these political and historical intricacies.
My second Temelkuran book - my first was actually her poetry collection. I also have one of her novels still to read. Such amazing range and knowledge she has.
TURKEY: The Insane and the Melancholy by Ece Temelkuran, tr. from the Turkish by Zeynap Beler, 2015 Turkish / 2016 English.
Deep appreciation for a book that unveils a social and political history that I (unfortunately) knew so little about.
Temelkuran structures the book in 3 sections: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow, nodding to the past and "how we got here" with rich descriptions, photographs, letters; the rise of autocratic leaders and human rights abuses, the neverending undeclared war with the Kurdish people and the associated atrocities; and a look to the future, relations with Europe, bridging with Asia, and other political powers.
Temelkuran writes with boldness and candor here in this book, but also throughout her career as a journalist and political commentator. Her criticism of the Turkish government has led to her dismissal from several news outlets, yet she remains a strong voice and conscience, continuing to speak to the abuses of people AND power.
Her skill as a writer shines through in translation as well (and undoubtedly thanks to her translator!) I was fond of her style with lists, bullet points, and visual graphics to bolster and clarify her arguments.
Because I know little of Turkish modern history, and this was likely written for an audience with that cultural knowledge, there were many things that went "over my head". However this intrigues me even more to go and fill in the gaps! It remains a very readable and valuable resource for anyone, even without knowledge of these political and historical intricacies.
My second Temelkuran book - my first was actually her poetry collection. I also have one of her novels still to read. Such amazing range and knowledge she has.
March 17, 2024
3,75
Z perspektywy laika przyznam, że dowiedziałam się czegoś o współczesnej Turcji i ciesze się, że ta książka zainspirowała mnie do doczytywania informacji w internecie, bo trochę zmieniłam moje zdanie na temat tego kraju.
Niestety autorce zdarzało się stosować skróty myślowe i uderzać w ckliwe tony, przez co gorzka nonszalancja, z jaką ten tekst miał chyba zostać napisany, czasem wychodziła kartonowo.
Z perspektywy laika przyznam, że dowiedziałam się czegoś o współczesnej Turcji i ciesze się, że ta książka zainspirowała mnie do doczytywania informacji w internecie, bo trochę zmieniłam moje zdanie na temat tego kraju.
Niestety autorce zdarzało się stosować skróty myślowe i uderzać w ckliwe tony, przez co gorzka nonszalancja, z jaką ten tekst miał chyba zostać napisany, czasem wychodziła kartonowo.
October 20, 2016
This book deserves praise not only for the wonderful and insightful writing, but also for the courage that it took to write it. I can't remember reading a non-fiction book that made me want to read the author's fiction as much as this one did. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone!
October 24, 2020
3.5 stars
Hard to rate a reality hitting book.
Hard to rate a reality hitting book.
May 1, 2020
Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy was written by Ece Temelkuran in 2015 and translatedfrom Turkish the same year by Zeynep Beler. I loved Temelkuran's voice when I read her latest book, How To Lose a Country, last year and knew I needed to read more. In Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy, she writes with the familiarity of your best friend while sitting and having a cuppa *I wrote this as a note before reading the end and seeing that was her intent so it was a success 😊. She is just easy to read, even when the subject matter can head into dark territory. She also holds no punches and holds those who should be accountable to the light. This book is about the side of Turkey that breaks your heart BECAUSE you love it so much. Broken up in to three sections, Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow, and full of photos, facts, and insight this is an indispensable book for really understanding the Republic's growing pains and how it has gotten to the state it is now. I especially appreciated her insights in the today section about the Gezi Protests (see my last review for photos)and the Kurdish people. I already know the name Berkin Elvan but will also remember Deniz Gezmiş and Didem Yaylalı.
January 12, 2020
Μια παρουσίαση της Τουρκίας του Ερντογάν μέσα από τη ματιά μιας εκ των πιο γνωστών δημοσιογράφων της χώρας, η οποία απολύθηκε με ένα τηλεφώνημα διάρκειας ενός λεπτού όταν άσκησε ανοιχτή κριτική στην κυβέρνηση. Ξεκινώντας από το παρελθόν με αναφορά σε κομβικά στιγμιότυπα της σύγχρονης τουρκικής ιστορίας, το πλέον ενδιαφέρον κομμάτι του βιβλίου για εμένα, η Ετσέ Τεμελκουράν καταλήγει στο σήμερα για να μιλήσει για το ολοένα αυξανόμενο εκφασισμό της τουρκικής κοινωνίας, το κουρδικό ζήτημα, τη θέση της γυναίκας, για μια χώρα που μπαίνει ολοένα και περισσότερο στο γύψο. Παρότι πολλά συνέβησαν στην Τουρκία και την ευρύτερη περιοχή από το 2015 που γράφτηκε, παραμένει πολύ επίκαιρο.
December 3, 2016
Interesting; funny and heartbreaking at the same time, Ece Temelkuran's history of Turkey and its current politics is a page turner.
As an activist, I know some of the situations described, but her writing brought them closer to home, and not just metaphorically. I realised that our countries are more similar than we think, for better or for worse, and a better understading of Turkey's transformations in the last century definitely help me understand my own country much better.
As an activist, I know some of the situations described, but her writing brought them closer to home, and not just metaphorically. I realised that our countries are more similar than we think, for better or for worse, and a better understading of Turkey's transformations in the last century definitely help me understand my own country much better.
September 18, 2017
Not long ago I read the wonderful "A Russia Diary" by the murdered Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya.
She was a witness to, and chronicles, the giddy optimism I the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism, the rise of the corporate state and the ascent of Putin, and finally the slow crawl of dismantling parliamentary democracy and the rise of Authoritarianism.
With similar melancholy and at times hilarious incredulity, Temelkuran describes the similar trajectory of Turkey toward a one party state under Recep Erdogan.
Through its legal absurdities
(Erdogan has attempted to mandate that a large amount of modern Turkish vocabulary be replaced with its Ottoman era counterpart as well as banning outright, ironically, word like 'resistance'), detainment, co-opting, and assassination of journalists and political opponents, and repression/assimilation of Kurdish minorities, Turkey is seemingly quickly becoming a democracy in name only.
As she takes us on this brief journey through Turkey's history, we meet both the heroic, and as she sums up in the title, the seemingly insane.
It is among the former though that is the beauty of this book. For although there are very few happy endings here, it is the courage of those able to dream they're still possible that lives on in memory.
People like 1930's Kurdish resistance leader Seyid Riza, whose famous words after witnessing a massacre of 90,000 of his countrymen, "This is a shame, it is a sin, it is cruelty.", are still uttered by young men resisting today.
People like the young men still in their teens who have been murdered twice, once by bombs and bullets and again by the shameful attempts to label them as terrorists.
Above all, the courage of so many Turkish women like the author who speak up at the risk of losing not only their livelihoods (as the author did in a 1 minute phone call from her editor) but also their lives.
None of these groups have to speak up. The easiest thing would be do as so many others and go along. That the author didn't and doesn't is a testament to her bravery.
While it is perhaps easier to be passive and lie to yourself, it exacts a toll:
"Lying is exhausting. With each telling the lie deepens, grows, becomes more complicated. After a while, the body of the lie surpasses the truth you are trying to hide. The roots of the lie increasingly draw nourishment from your soul. The lie exhausts you. It eats away at you"
In authoritarian regimes sustained by lies, it is voices like hers in the wilderness that keep hope and truth possible. With humor and courage, this book provides a great service to those who want to know more about where Turkey has been and where it is headed.
She was a witness to, and chronicles, the giddy optimism I the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism, the rise of the corporate state and the ascent of Putin, and finally the slow crawl of dismantling parliamentary democracy and the rise of Authoritarianism.
With similar melancholy and at times hilarious incredulity, Temelkuran describes the similar trajectory of Turkey toward a one party state under Recep Erdogan.
Through its legal absurdities
(Erdogan has attempted to mandate that a large amount of modern Turkish vocabulary be replaced with its Ottoman era counterpart as well as banning outright, ironically, word like 'resistance'), detainment, co-opting, and assassination of journalists and political opponents, and repression/assimilation of Kurdish minorities, Turkey is seemingly quickly becoming a democracy in name only.
As she takes us on this brief journey through Turkey's history, we meet both the heroic, and as she sums up in the title, the seemingly insane.
It is among the former though that is the beauty of this book. For although there are very few happy endings here, it is the courage of those able to dream they're still possible that lives on in memory.
People like 1930's Kurdish resistance leader Seyid Riza, whose famous words after witnessing a massacre of 90,000 of his countrymen, "This is a shame, it is a sin, it is cruelty.", are still uttered by young men resisting today.
People like the young men still in their teens who have been murdered twice, once by bombs and bullets and again by the shameful attempts to label them as terrorists.
Above all, the courage of so many Turkish women like the author who speak up at the risk of losing not only their livelihoods (as the author did in a 1 minute phone call from her editor) but also their lives.
None of these groups have to speak up. The easiest thing would be do as so many others and go along. That the author didn't and doesn't is a testament to her bravery.
While it is perhaps easier to be passive and lie to yourself, it exacts a toll:
"Lying is exhausting. With each telling the lie deepens, grows, becomes more complicated. After a while, the body of the lie surpasses the truth you are trying to hide. The roots of the lie increasingly draw nourishment from your soul. The lie exhausts you. It eats away at you"
In authoritarian regimes sustained by lies, it is voices like hers in the wilderness that keep hope and truth possible. With humor and courage, this book provides a great service to those who want to know more about where Turkey has been and where it is headed.
July 7, 2020
Obok reportażu Szczerka pt. "Via Carpatia" książka Temelkuran powinna być lekturą obowiązkową, przestrogą dla wszystkich Polaków, do czego prowadzą zapędy populistów. Dwa przedstawione kraje (Turcja i Węgry) demokratycznymi metodami wprowadziły u siebie brutalny autorytaryzm, rządzony na modłę mafijną. Te dwa klarowne przykłady pokazują w co może nas wprowadzić wygrana Dudy 12 lipca.
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September 1, 2016"Part memoir, part historical rumination, part jeremiad against the current government, Temelkuran's book is an attempt to come to grips with her 'troubled, ill-fated and perplexing country' and its 'great, long madness.' The portrait she paints is uncomplimentary but loving; its harshness is born of honest observation and heartfelt concern. Her anger is genuine, deep, and unsparing, but–not unlike the withering critique one might offer a wayward but still beloved spouse–its aim is to prompt reflection and improvement, not to wound or slander.
I couldn't help but nod along as I read it. For all its limitations, Temelkuran's book does a masterful job of capturing the mood of the country nowadays, at least among the minority of educated, right-thinking folks who are maddened and driven to despair by Turkey's ongoing, atavistic descent into authoritarianism, terror, and–in the Kurdish regions abutting Syria and Iraq–something just short of civil war."
-Marc Edward Hoffman on Ece Temelkuran's Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy in the Fall 2016 issue of Bookforum
To read the rest of this review, go to Bookforum:
http://bookforum.com/inprint/
I couldn't help but nod along as I read it. For all its limitations, Temelkuran's book does a masterful job of capturing the mood of the country nowadays, at least among the minority of educated, right-thinking folks who are maddened and driven to despair by Turkey's ongoing, atavistic descent into authoritarianism, terror, and–in the Kurdish regions abutting Syria and Iraq–something just short of civil war."
-Marc Edward Hoffman on Ece Temelkuran's Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy in the Fall 2016 issue of Bookforum
To read the rest of this review, go to Bookforum:
http://bookforum.com/inprint/
February 4, 2017
I've always found something very close to what I feel in Temelkuran's writing. Barring the shame that I had to read this beautiful work in a second language even though we share the same mother tongue (thanks a lot Turkish politics), this encounter had left me in tears at times.
I don't know if the book has been printed in Turkish. Though I searched, I couldn't find a Turkish version. And in a sense, I am grateful.
Without falling into the pit of "agreed upon" statements, Temelkuran boldly defines, analyzes and recounts the post-80's political history of Turkey. However, this is not some cold, distant political piece of writing. Her usual humor and fragility is within the writing, and it feels like you are talking to a close friend. It is a very personal recount, yet objective.
It is a great read for those interested in the "untold" political history of Turkey.
I don't know if the book has been printed in Turkish. Though I searched, I couldn't find a Turkish version. And in a sense, I am grateful.
Without falling into the pit of "agreed upon" statements, Temelkuran boldly defines, analyzes and recounts the post-80's political history of Turkey. However, this is not some cold, distant political piece of writing. Her usual humor and fragility is within the writing, and it feels like you are talking to a close friend. It is a very personal recount, yet objective.
It is a great read for those interested in the "untold" political history of Turkey.
April 3, 2021
Η συγγραφέας σε μια συγκλονιστική αφήγηση που στη σημερινή Τουρκία μπορεί να της κοστίσει την ίδια της ζωή, αναλύει τα γεγονότα που οδήγησαν την Τουρκία μετά την πτώση της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας να γίνει σήμερα ένα κράτος ανελεύθερο, σχεδόν φασιστικό που κάθετη αντίθετη φωνή, φιμώνεται, διώκεται και εν τέλει εξοντώνεται.
Η συνενοχή της κοινωνίας, ο νόμος της σιωπής, οι διώξεις όλα συντελούν σε μία κοινωνική και πολιτική βόμβα έτοιμη να εκραγεί στη γείτονα χώρα, όλα αυτά δωσμένα με θάρρος σε ένα βιβλίο σοκάρει με την αλήθεια του.
Η συνενοχή της κοινωνίας, ο νόμος της σιωπής, οι διώξεις όλα συντελούν σε μία κοινωνική και πολιτική βόμβα έτοιμη να εκραγεί στη γείτονα χώρα, όλα αυτά δωσμένα με θάρρος σε ένα βιβλίο σοκάρει με την αλήθεια του.
December 7, 2016
This shares what appears the overreaching powers of the current ruler as he appears to have an impact of what is shown on television. Shares the coups that occurred and their impacts (violence) and even goes back to 1453 when the city was concurred.
Mentions the changes in clothing (even HATS!), schooling, and other items. Insightful. B/w photos.
Mentions the changes in clothing (even HATS!), schooling, and other items. Insightful. B/w photos.
February 9, 2020
So beautiful
Being a recent emigrant from Turkey,every single sentence of this beautiful book resonated so deeply with me. The feeling of suffocation I had felt every day that is ceasing so rapidly now is oozing from the pages. Thank you so much for putting all that I felt so elegantly.
Being a recent emigrant from Turkey,every single sentence of this beautiful book resonated so deeply with me. The feeling of suffocation I had felt every day that is ceasing so rapidly now is oozing from the pages. Thank you so much for putting all that I felt so elegantly.
December 10, 2016
Not totally in love with the haphazard presentation however a very interesting read and glad I picked it up. Would definitely go for an further books on Turkey she may write inşallah
May 29, 2017
As Ece Temelkuran gives us an insight into politics in Turkey, describing the growing rise of fascism there and how much of it started off with a narrative of "let's give him a chance", in a style that I can't say I quite enjoyed (mainly because it felt slightly here and there at times), I couldn't help but draw parallels with the current situation in India. Although it isn't quite as alarming as it is currently in Turkey, India might soon get there and so I think there is a lot one could learn from their experience for, in my view, there is so much that is similar between the leaders of these nations, their parties, and the majoritarian ideologies they represent.
In any case, even if the comparisons above comes across of as being paranoid (in a way, I hope it eventually turns out that I was just paranoid), if you have been following the recent events in Turkey, I think this will be a good read. I'm glad I picked it, and I intend to reread it again at some point.
In any case, even if the comparisons above comes across of as being paranoid (in a way, I hope it eventually turns out that I was just paranoid), if you have been following the recent events in Turkey, I think this will be a good read. I'm glad I picked it, and I intend to reread it again at some point.
May 1, 2019
Powerful narrative of the devolution of a country, but marred by a haphazard writing/editing style.
I've enjoyed Temelkuran's other work, and this gives a very evocative account of how things have gone downhill in Turkey (including at least some perspective on the "why's"). Unfortunately, the writing is haphazard almost to the point of stream of consciousness or stream of non-sequiturs and it eventually degrades the reading experience.
I've enjoyed Temelkuran's other work, and this gives a very evocative account of how things have gone downhill in Turkey (including at least some perspective on the "why's"). Unfortunately, the writing is haphazard almost to the point of stream of consciousness or stream of non-sequiturs and it eventually degrades the reading experience.
March 26, 2018
actual rating: 4.5
March 31, 2025
Not an uplifting read but still the best thing I read on Turkey's afflictions.
September 8, 2025
Το βιβλιο αυτο δεν ειναι μυθιστορημα. Ειναι ενα βιβλιο για την πολιτικη ιστορια της Τουρκιας. Για ευνοητους λογους δεν κυκλοφορει στα τουρκικα και η μεταφραση της ελληνικης εκδοσης εχει γινει απο τα αγγλικα. Απευθυνεται σε ξενους αναγνωστες που επιθυμουν να γνωρισουν τη χωρα εκ των εσω. Η ιδια η Ετζε Τεμελκουραν ζει σημερα στο Βερολινο.
Δεν το κρυβω πως υπηρξαν σημεια που ενιωσα σα να διαβαζω για την κατασταση στην Ελλαδα. Ας πουμε οτι και οι δυο λαοι παθιαζομαστε περισσοτερο με ενα αθλητικο ντερμπι ή αν καποιος αμφισβητησει την ταυτοτητα ή τα συνορα ή την ιστορια ή τη θρησκεια μας και ειμαστε ικανοι να βγουμε στους δρομους να κανουμε χαμο, παρα οργιζομαστε με την αθλια οικονομικη κατασταση στην οποια βρισκεται σημερα η πλειοψηφια των πολιτων. Ή με τη διαφθορα και τα σκανδαλα της κυβερνησης. Ή με τη λογοκρισια. Σε τετοια θεματα αντιδρουμε περισσοτερο σαν υπνωτισμενοι, λεμε "εμ ετσι εχουν τα πραγματα, ολοι ετσι ειναι και χειροτερα κι ευχαριστω να λεμε". Ας αποκαλεσει ομως καποιος τα Σκοπια "Βορεια Μακεδονια" ή ας αμφισβητησει τα συνορα μας στο Αιγαιο ή ας εκθεσει εργα του στη Δημοτικη Πινακοθηκη που να θιγουν το θρησκευτικο αισθημα! Τοτε ο Ελληνας θα γινει "Τουρκος" ετοιμος να κατασπαραξει καθε προδοτη του εθνους και της θρησκειας, καθε Ανθελληνα! Ετσι κι ο μεσος Τουρκος, ειναι ετοιμος να μαλωσει για την καταγωγη του μπακλαβα αλλα οχι για τα δικαιωματα των γυναικων, των παιδιων ή των ζωων που βασανιζονται και σκοτωνονται καθημερινα. Λεει απλως: "Αυτη ειναι η Τουρκια!".
Αλλα κι αυτοι που το κανουν συλλαμβανονται και φυλακιζονται: καθηγητες, δασκαλοι, συγγραφεις, καλλιτεχνες, απλοι πολιτες, ολοι ειναι "τρομοκρατες".
Αλλα σαμπως κι εδω καλυτερα ειμαστε; Αρκει να εισαι δασκαλα και να ετοιμασεις ενα θεατρικο εργο με τιτλο "Η Αννα Φρανκ συνομιλει με τα παιδια της Παλαιστινης": ε, τοτε, η πειθαρχικη διωξη δικαιωματικα σου ανηκει!
Το βιβλιο ειναι ακρως διαφωτιστικο για την κατασταση στη γειτονα χωρα ως το 2015 που κυκλοφορησε. Θα ημουν περιεργη να διαβασω κι ενα σικουελ για τα δεκα χρονια που ακολουθησαν ως σημερα: για την αποπειρα πραξικοπηματος το 2016, για την αλλαγη πολιτευματος απο κοινοβουλευτικη σε προεδρικη δημοκρατια το 2017, για την αποχωρηση της Τουρκιας απο τη Συνθηκη της Κων/λης το 2021 με δικαιολογια την προστασια των οικογενειακων αξιων και της εθνικής κυριαρχίας,
για την επανεκλογη του Ερντογαν το 2023, για το νεο νομο σχετικα με τα ζωα με σκοπο να ασκηθει πιεση στους μεγαλους και ευπορους δημους που στις εκλογες ψηφιζουν την αντιπολιτευση και τελος,
τη συλληψη του Εκρεμ Ιμαμογλου και των συνεργατων του, γεγονος που προκαλεσε εντονες αντιδρασεις, κατεβαζοντας και παλι τους πολιτες στους δρομους, θυμιζοντας τα γεγονότα του Γκεζί του 2013.
Δεν το κρυβω πως υπηρξαν σημεια που ενιωσα σα να διαβαζω για την κατασταση στην Ελλαδα. Ας πουμε οτι και οι δυο λαοι παθιαζομαστε περισσοτερο με ενα αθλητικο ντερμπι ή αν καποιος αμφισβητησει την ταυτοτητα ή τα συνορα ή την ιστορια ή τη θρησκεια μας και ειμαστε ικανοι να βγουμε στους δρομους να κανουμε χαμο, παρα οργιζομαστε με την αθλια οικονομικη κατασταση στην οποια βρισκεται σημερα η πλειοψηφια των πολιτων. Ή με τη διαφθορα και τα σκανδαλα της κυβερνησης. Ή με τη λογοκρισια. Σε τετοια θεματα αντιδρουμε περισσοτερο σαν υπνωτισμενοι, λεμε "εμ ετσι εχουν τα πραγματα, ολοι ετσι ειναι και χειροτερα κι ευχαριστω να λεμε". Ας αποκαλεσει ομως καποιος τα Σκοπια "Βορεια Μακεδονια" ή ας αμφισβητησει τα συνορα μας στο Αιγαιο ή ας εκθεσει εργα του στη Δημοτικη Πινακοθηκη που να θιγουν το θρησκευτικο αισθημα! Τοτε ο Ελληνας θα γινει "Τουρκος" ετοιμος να κατασπαραξει καθε προδοτη του εθνους και της θρησκειας, καθε Ανθελληνα! Ετσι κι ο μεσος Τουρκος, ειναι ετοιμος να μαλωσει για την καταγωγη του μπακλαβα αλλα οχι για τα δικαιωματα των γυναικων, των παιδιων ή των ζωων που βασανιζονται και σκοτωνονται καθημερινα. Λεει απλως: "Αυτη ειναι η Τουρκια!".
Αλλα κι αυτοι που το κανουν συλλαμβανονται και φυλακιζονται: καθηγητες, δασκαλοι, συγγραφεις, καλλιτεχνες, απλοι πολιτες, ολοι ειναι "τρομοκρατες".
Αλλα σαμπως κι εδω καλυτερα ειμαστε; Αρκει να εισαι δασκαλα και να ετοιμασεις ενα θεατρικο εργο με τιτλο "Η Αννα Φρανκ συνομιλει με τα παιδια της Παλαιστινης": ε, τοτε, η πειθαρχικη διωξη δικαιωματικα σου ανηκει!
Το βιβλιο ειναι ακρως διαφωτιστικο για την κατασταση στη γειτονα χωρα ως το 2015 που κυκλοφορησε. Θα ημουν περιεργη να διαβασω κι ενα σικουελ για τα δεκα χρονια που ακολουθησαν ως σημερα: για την αποπειρα πραξικοπηματος το 2016, για την αλλαγη πολιτευματος απο κοινοβουλευτικη σε προεδρικη δημοκρατια το 2017, για την αποχωρηση της Τουρκιας απο τη Συνθηκη της Κων/λης το 2021 με δικαιολογια την προστασια των οικογενειακων αξιων και της εθνικής κυριαρχίας,
για την επανεκλογη του Ερντογαν το 2023, για το νεο νομο σχετικα με τα ζωα με σκοπο να ασκηθει πιεση στους μεγαλους και ευπορους δημους που στις εκλογες ψηφιζουν την αντιπολιτευση και τελος,
τη συλληψη του Εκρεμ Ιμαμογλου και των συνεργατων του, γεγονος που προκαλεσε εντονες αντιδρασεις, κατεβαζοντας και παλι τους πολιτες στους δρομους, θυμιζοντας τα γεγονότα του Γκεζί του 2013.
March 13, 2017
The author has a talent for presenting the subtleties and sensitivities that define a place. Within one book, you have the romantic descriptions found in travelogues, rich cultural and historical context given in academic literature, heart-wrenching anecdotes and social critique found in journalism and the most intimate personal accounts as if it were Ece Temelkuran's memoir. Brave, honest words spoken from a penetrating mind. Can't wait to read more from her!
July 30, 2018
Cartea e scrisa mai degraba intr-un ton personal, decat intr-unul neutru, cu amintiri destul de disparate si evenimente alese si analizate dupa grila de valori a autoarei. Insa ofera multe informatii noi despre Turcia pentru cineva nu foarte familiar cu istoria recenta a tarii si ajuta la intelegerea prezentului Turciei sub Erdogan.
August 6, 2020
Really amazing. I read it like a thriller and yet learned a lot about Turkey – both its history and current social nuances. But probably the most important thing for me was that this book presents a universal portrait of any populist (or worse) government. Some similarities are astonishing. Some past events in Turkey are like spoilers of other governments' possible plans.
In a sense, we are all similar – and yet we let bunch of people to divide us, to antagonise us, to grow a resentment inside of us. That's a truly insane world we are living in.
In a sense, we are all similar – and yet we let bunch of people to divide us, to antagonise us, to grow a resentment inside of us. That's a truly insane world we are living in.
February 7, 2017
I have little objection to the content of the text. It's a very informative reading, especially for a foreigner, I guess. I wholeheartedly agree on most of the points she presents us. But it is the "style" of Temelkuran, we are familiar with, that I am not much attracted.
I'm not expecting a scholarly articulation. That's not her way. She likes writing emotionally; by pathos, passionately. She jumps from subject to subject frequently. Although this is done on purpose, I think an editorial touch could have organised the text in a more straightforward order. I may be wrong because listing of all these vice and injustices done in our history is not a simple task and to do that you have to cover all these subjects. That makes the text a bit disorganised.
There are many references to popular culture that any native reader will recognize immediately. These are not so original, as they are endlessly debated over and over in social media and forums. Some of these metaphors, analogies and anecdotes have really turned into cliches.
As I said, a non-native reader will utilise greatly from the text in understanding Turkish history, culture and society. She will also learn what the "New Turkey" looks like and where it is headed. Temelkuran offers useful terms like Dubaisation and Gleichschaltung.
Personally, I felt guilt and shame as I read the book. As I read all the injustices I've witnessed as a member of society, it constantly occurred to me how I forgot them by time, how I simply did not do anything, and managed to ignore and live by them day by day and still doing it as if these hadn't happened. It's not a very joyful reading.
on translation:
-not "Romanian initiative" or the Romanians (p.13); but should be Romani initiative, Romani people
-not "the first article of 1961 Constitution" (p.90); but the preamble of it (yet integral part of it)
I'm not expecting a scholarly articulation. That's not her way. She likes writing emotionally; by pathos, passionately. She jumps from subject to subject frequently. Although this is done on purpose, I think an editorial touch could have organised the text in a more straightforward order. I may be wrong because listing of all these vice and injustices done in our history is not a simple task and to do that you have to cover all these subjects. That makes the text a bit disorganised.
There are many references to popular culture that any native reader will recognize immediately. These are not so original, as they are endlessly debated over and over in social media and forums. Some of these metaphors, analogies and anecdotes have really turned into cliches.
As I said, a non-native reader will utilise greatly from the text in understanding Turkish history, culture and society. She will also learn what the "New Turkey" looks like and where it is headed. Temelkuran offers useful terms like Dubaisation and Gleichschaltung.
Personally, I felt guilt and shame as I read the book. As I read all the injustices I've witnessed as a member of society, it constantly occurred to me how I forgot them by time, how I simply did not do anything, and managed to ignore and live by them day by day and still doing it as if these hadn't happened. It's not a very joyful reading.
on translation:
-not "Romanian initiative" or the Romanians (p.13); but should be Romani initiative, Romani people
-not "the first article of 1961 Constitution" (p.90); but the preamble of it (yet integral part of it)
December 15, 2017
I've had the opportunity through recent readings to contemplate the position of ancient Asian civilisations forced to confront the reality of the rise of European power - intellectual, military, economic. Japan, China, India, the Levant each adapted differently and painfully, but none so schizophrenically as Turkey, where a serious attempt was made to repackage lost empire as victory. Turkey abandoned its own culture to the extent that a typical adult, circa 1960, couldn't read simple texts in his own language.
Turkey's founder thought he could modernise his country by copying trivial, outer forms (e.g. a stringent law requiring people to wear European style hats) while evading the western tradition of critical investigation. Today's Turkey, is a reactionary continuation of it founding denialism. Turkey remains a deeply authoritarian state. ET analyses Turkey's national neurosis, walking us through of past and present, and exposing the wilful ignorance and complicity of western reporting.
Turkey's founder thought he could modernise his country by copying trivial, outer forms (e.g. a stringent law requiring people to wear European style hats) while evading the western tradition of critical investigation. Today's Turkey, is a reactionary continuation of it founding denialism. Turkey remains a deeply authoritarian state. ET analyses Turkey's national neurosis, walking us through of past and present, and exposing the wilful ignorance and complicity of western reporting.
April 11, 2020
Well.. this (book) is suitable for doing research and understanding of the country. It can be boring at times with all the incidents reporting, quite in details and historic- (at least written as a report from a journalist).
The organizing of scripts was not reader-friendly but fully from the concept of a journalist making reports - continuous like a non-stop train.
(p/s: this book that I borrowed from local library, unconsciously I realize, when I paged thru reading had full of dog-ear in every pages!!) I can empathize the earlier readers, that there isn’t any break between the 4 chapters)
But on the whole it suffices to provides historical knowledge on Turkey- when it became a Republic after the ottoman.
The organizing of scripts was not reader-friendly but fully from the concept of a journalist making reports - continuous like a non-stop train.
(p/s: this book that I borrowed from local library, unconsciously I realize, when I paged thru reading had full of dog-ear in every pages!!) I can empathize the earlier readers, that there isn’t any break between the 4 chapters)
But on the whole it suffices to provides historical knowledge on Turkey- when it became a Republic after the ottoman.
January 25, 2023
Perhaps I'm being too harsh but I simply have high standards when I'm reviewing nonfiction. While I understand that Temelkuran has an informal, slightly dream-like style, it is also quite disorganized and, at times, downright sloppy. In this regard, the book suffers after the one-third mark and unfortunately never quite picks up again.
I knew some of the sordid history, especially about the silence around the Armenian genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Kurds, but reading about just how deep schizophrenia and hopelessness are rooted in this culture was sobering.
I would recommend this one only if you are patient enough to overlook the haphazard structure.
I knew some of the sordid history, especially about the silence around the Armenian genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Kurds, but reading about just how deep schizophrenia and hopelessness are rooted in this culture was sobering.
I would recommend this one only if you are patient enough to overlook the haphazard structure.
June 2, 2018
Powerful book providing insights on Turkey behind the headlines. Recommending in particular if you are interested in the crisis of mordern Turkey and it’s political evolution from Ataturk's secular state to Erdogan's current regime.
December 26, 2016
eye opening
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