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"Expatriates in
Turkey take up the pen to fight prejudice"
"Reminiscent of Lady Mary Wortley Montague's TURKISH EMBASSY LETTERS."
--Sirin Tekeli
"Daring and delightful."
"Funny, moving and
unusual."
--Patricia Linderman
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READERS' COMMENTS 2005
See what experts are saying... Let others know they might enjoy this book! Write your own review of this book for: this page, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de Click here for 2006 or 2007 or 2008 Readers' Comments...
2005
24 Dec 05 "Everyone I know is talking about this book. They're all asking, 'Have you read it yet? It's great!' It's all they can talk about." --A 1 year Polish expat in Istanbul
"I am so thankful for your book. I just started dating a Turkish man and your book helped me determine which things in our relationship are specific to Turkish culture and which things are just about us. It was great to see how other foreign women navigate the same issues I'm starting to experience. It was just the reality check I needed." --A 1-month American expat in Istanbul
"You've done a fabulous job, especially explaining the dynamics between foreign and Turkish women." -- A repatriated Turk in Istanbul who lived 7 years in America
"The way you have explained Turkish culture is spot-on. I am so proud of this book." --A Turk in Istanbul
19 Dec 05 "My artist friend, ___, said her husband loves the book. He’s a literature professor at [a university in Ann Arbor, MI] and is very nit-picky when it comes to writing. He especially liked Jennifer's story. " –An American with a relative married into Turkish culture
14 Dec 05 "This book is surely destined to feature on academic reading lists for women’s studies in English-speaking countries around the world." --Fethiye Times Review
"Hello Jennifer and Anastasia….great book! I purchased 2 copies at the Istanbul airport, read what I could before giving them as gifts in England, and now have to [purchase my own copy]!" --An American expat in Bodrum
"I'm definitely enjoying it. It gives me a perspective on what foreign women expect of Turkey and Turkish people and what they actually find. Good job!" --A repatriated Turk who returned to Istanbul after 50 years in America
12 Dec 05 "I've been hearing alot about this book on the evening news and in the newspapers. I'm very happy about this project and proud of you all. After I'm done reading the book, I'm going to give it to my wife to read. I know she's going to love it, too." --A Turkish expat in Erlangen, Germany married to a German national, both are former residents of Istanbul
03 Dec 05 “I like that you can open to any page, any story and immediately be hooked. And I love the wonderful, positive finales.” – A 2.5 year American expat in Izmir
“There is literally something in every story that rang true for me. Also, my Turkish husband was flipping through reading excerpts and laughing hysterically – saying that it’s very true, the same things happened to us. And he doesn’t usually read books like this!”– American expat with Turkish husband, in Izmir 12 years
01 Dec 05 “I am loving the book!! I have to admit that I cried when I read Katie's story in full. I am glad that she decided to stay and has found peace in Turkey...I loved Anastasia's wedding story. Jennifer's story about re-gaining her independence was great. Something I could relate to--feeling a little out of place and intimidated by the different language. I am sooo excited about my mother, step-mom and sister reading the Expat Harem. I know they will love it!”—A 3-year Canadian expat in Istanbul
30 Nov 05
"My colleague, who had 4
relatives read your book (and fight over who gets it next), says you are a
shoo-in for Oprah. Says it appeals to women of all backgrounds."--American
with relatives in Turkey, frequent visitor to Turkey "I'm so happy that this book was written. In my business I deal with foreigners everyday. This book has given me insight into their perspectives-- what moves them, motivates them, or what things they have trouble coping with in Turkish culture." --A Turkish businessman in Ankara
29 Nov 05 "This book is absolutely fantastic. It's WONDERFUL." —An American expat in Istanbul, Diplomat
"Thank you so much for this book! I've already bought 7 copies for friends and family." --A 7-year British expat in Istanbul
27 Nov 05 "I enjoyed the depth of the internal journey of Katie Belliel's story." -- A Turkish scholar in Middle East Technical University's Women's Studies Department
26 Nov 05 "The TURKISH AMERICAN WOMEN'S CULTURAL CHARITABLE SOCIETY has been in existence for 55 years and in all those years it has always been a dream of ours to have a project like this book. You made our dreams come true." --İnci Aklan, TAWCCS board member and former president
"This is the holiday gift of the year. I'm buying this book as a gift for every person on my Christmas list." —A Canadian expat in Ankara, Diplomat
"We thought of doing a project like this 30 years ago, but it wouldn't have had the same appeal then that it does now. The timing is perfect." -- Two 30-year American expats in Ankara, teachers
“For anyone who is a foreign wife here, there are many situations and happenings we can identify with. It was a huge project to undertake, it can't have been easy, but Masallah, you two did a great job.” – A 30-year American expat with Turkish husband, in Ankara
"I go back to the Bay area [from Ankara] twice a year to do precisely what I hope this book will do: break down stereotypes and show the world the embrace of Turkish hospitality." --A longtime American expat in Ankara, Political scholar
"The stories really resonated with my own experiences and what Turkey has taught me about myself." —A Canadian 2-year expat in Ankara, Diplomat
"I saw myself and my life in these stories." --A longtime Canadian expat in Ankara
"I'm very proud of you for doing this book. It's an honor for us. Your perspective is so accurate." --A retired Turkish psychologist in Ankara
"After reading Catherine Salter Bayar's story, I wondered if my own actions towards my American daughter-in-law when she first arrived felt the same for her. I wonder if she found my overtures overbearing." --A Turkish artist in Ankara
"I like the echoing themes of sisterhood and mentorship that Turkish women offer the female expats. In my own experience, Turkish women have always reached out to me, too." --A longtime American expat in Ankara
16 Nov 05 "Thanks so much for the copy of your book! I am enjoying it immensely! [My daughter] can't wait for me to finish it so she can read it, too. You describe the countryside so well it makes me want to visit. And the people sound so nice. I figured they were anyway, because [my Turkish relative by marriage] is so great." –An American with a relative married into Turkish culture
“Katherine Belliel’s story made me weep with pity and reminded me of the gratitude I feel that neither my own nor my husband's family created any obstruction to our marriage. I was left curious about her life now in Turkey, how her broken heart led to an expat life in the very country of its origin! The section on the Hamam has given me the courage to experience the baths again after many years. The stories have reminded me of the joy and relaxation the whole experience can bring. Naturally I was drawn to the stories which mirror my own situation, that of an expat married to a Turk. In her story Valerie mentioned the difficulties that her husband – as a long term expat abroad – encountered in returning to an ever changing Turkey. Like them, we hadn’t imagined that Turkey, after 20 years abroad, would be foreign to my husband as well as to myself. Please let her know that our cezve, too, sits unused in the kitchen cupboard! Anastasia, your wedding sounded magnificent. I could empathise with the handing over of responsibility to the in laws. I too felt like a pampered princess, which I never would have allowed myself to feel in the UK, where I would have grasped much more control of the situation and probably wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. I also ‘had no clue as to what was happening’ and it gave me a real sense of freedom. So much of what you say reminds me of the run up to our day: the parading of the wedding gown to the scrutiny of the females in the family, the endless kisses for people I didn’t know – and didn’t have to know. You are so right when you say that marrying in Turkey before you understood it helped to create the magic. Jennifer, your story was perhaps the one I could empathise with the most. Having moved here two and a half years ago, with twenty years of Turkish holidays behind me, I too had been beginning to feel that life here should be getting easier, I should be feeling more in control of everyday things. I too found myself prone to sobbing fits in between childlike tantrums to gain attention! I laughed as you described preparing your holiday itinery, I too have taken sustenance in planning holidays to the detail and homemaking as I never have before – while my husband stands aside patiently understanding that these are two areas where I feel comfortable and in control. Though I read your story at a time when both my husband and I were feeling more ‘part of the picture’, getting on with the life we are carving out for ourselves here, it was still a relief to hear that you experienced similar frustration and helplessness and got through it! I hope you are receiving acclaim for the book. Congratulations on your hard work." --A British 2-year resident expat in İstanbul
15 Nov 05 “Your compilation of autobiographical essays is wonderful, if not inspiring. " --An American literature professor
14 Nov 05 “I have been enjoying your book so much. One person who contributed particularly touched my soul...Diane Caldwell...This book has meant so much to me, and it made so many of my own feelings clear.”
13 Nov 05 “These fascinating stories are beautifully written. They are about women from all walks of life, from various countries, who have embraced this exotic and complex culture. They have one major trait in common...they have stepped outside of their comfort zone and have emerged as women who have a deeper understanding and appreciation of their newly adopted country as well as a profoundly enlightened perception of their own womanhood.” –An American Artist and frequent visitor to Turkey
“I am LOVING this book…..so much to digest. It makes me feel a longing for something I’ve missed over the years... I just finished reading the Village Bride. Wow. I felt sorry for the bride who had not picked her partner. It was rather disturbing….I’m glad it was included because it is necessary to paint the full picture. It takes an open mind to include it.”
09 Nov 05 “I was on a 4-day trip for work when I read your book. My original intent was to take it with me, read a story, and then read the other things I brought and finish your book at home. Well, I read one story in the airport and then couldn’t put it down. I was absolutely fascinated!! In many of the stories, I was positively swept away and felt like I was there. I didn’t read one other word of anything I brought for work until I was done.” --An American Health Care Executive
"Congratulations on your book! I've
read through 6 or 7 of the stories and have really enjoyed it. It's going to be
the Christmas gift of the year for many of my female friends back home who don't
know alot about Turkey."—A
Canadian expat in Ankara, Diplomat
"I've read the first four stories in
Expat Harem and find that they have exceeded my expectations-- and I had high
expectations of the book. Kudos to you both for such a fantastic job of
selecting and editing the crème de la crème of stories that celebrate the
adaptive as well as perceptive genius of these unique women who
undergo a baptism by fire while getting their bearings in a paradoxical foreign
country."
–An American Artist
08 Nov 05
"Loved Jennifer's piece in the book.
Really hit home!"
--American with relative in Turkey,
has visited Turkey twice
“A most excellent book. Having spent
15 years here in Turkey myself - it really brought home all the stumbling blocks
that us yabancis [foreigners] sometime come across and can at times be removed.
It also reminded me just why I am still here!!! which on occasions needs to be
done. Many thanks to all of you who contributed."
–A 15-year resident expat
"I read the first chapter and I was
hooked. I already I know it's an instant classic, very nteresting for many
people." – A Turkish Bookstore Owner in Istanbul
"I was enthralled with the excerpts
you read at last spring's American Women of Istanbul meeting, so reading this
will be a much anticipated treat!"
–An American 2-year resident-expat in
Istanbul, Diplomat
"Well I just got back from Istanbul
where I already got two copies of your book (one for me and one for a friend).
I just went through the first fifty pages and I have to admit I can't wait to
get back to it as soon as I have time. I will let know my Turkish friends about
the Turkish version coming out soon. Please let me know if you ever plan to
publish it in French as well. I am sure it will have a tremendous success here
as French women are really keen on real stories."
– A Turkish expat in Paris, 5 star
hospitality business
"I have started reading the TALES
and am enjoying it vastly!"
–An American 3-year resident expat
in Istanbul, Foreign News Correspondent
"I can't put it down. I'm really
enjoying it."
–A British 5-year resident expat in Istanbul
Click here for 2006 or 2007 Readers' Comments...
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