Beyond the Orchard

by Azize Ethem

Beyond the Orchard describes the trials and tribulations of building a house and starting a new life in a tiny Turkish village, she, an Englishwoman, and he, an Ottoman prince from the Osmanli dynasty, whose members had been exiled upon the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The descriptions of her adventures and the people she meets are sympathetic, yet hilarious fun. Accompanying descriptive drawings add interest and detail.

151 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sally Edsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started with Peter Mayle in Provence, continued through Frances Mayes in Tuscany, and here we have Azize Etham in Turkey: settling in to a tiny village and building / renovating a family home, and entertaining family members who are based abroad.

However, I feel this book has a little more to it. Ethem is married to a Turk from a (formerly) upper class Ottoman family, so it is as much about his reconsiliation with his rather reduced circumstances.

Ethem treats the locals as her allies and is always respectful of them. There is never any gruesome funny anecdotes about their "quirky" characteristics.

Recommended for people who like readng about Turkish life, as I do.

[Mary-Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of memoirs. This memoir recounts a foreigner's adventure in rural Turkey, the homeland of her husband. She injects humor into her brave adventure which includes finding land, building a house, learning local customs and steadfastly presenting herself to her community...which, in time, accepts her as one of their own. Heartwarming and inspiring.

First read in April 2011. Read again in March 2013. Still enjoyable to read.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! The author moved with her husband to a small village in Turkey and these are short essays describing her life, her neighbors, her trials and successes. Some images remain in my mind still.