5 Books about Turkey you should absolutely read!

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by letygoeson10, Oct, 2024Travel Trends, Turkey

A few books about Turkey offer an in-depth look at one of the world’s most fascinating and culturally rich countries. From historical tales to modern stories, these books allow you to explore its complexity, its traditions and its impact on the global landscape.
Here are five must-read books for those who want to discover Turkey in all its diversity.

Turkey has a special place in my heart. From the first glance, I was immediately captured by its energy, that fusion of cultures and landscapes that I had never seen anywhere else. It is one of those countries that not only surprises you visually, but touches you deep inside, mixing past and present, East and West.

During my trip, first to Istanbul and then to Cappadocia, I realised that to really understand Turkey, it is not enough to walk the streets or visit its monuments. One has to immerse oneself in its history, its traditions and the particularities of its culture. Personally, one of the most profound and effective ways to do this has been through books about Turkey.

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Why reading books about Turkey can enrich your trip

I remember that, while waiting for this trip I had been longing for, I got lost in the words of writers who had lived in or explored Turkey. These stories allowed me to experience Turkey in a much deeper light, preparing me to grasp every detail with a different sensitivity.

So, in this article, I would like to share with you some of the books about Turkey that have accompanied and inspired me. If you are planning a trip to Turkey (or even if you dream of going there one day) these titles will allow you to explore the country with your mind and heart, even before you set foot on that wonderful place.

Click on the image to purchase it on Amazon

Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk

This book is a true declaration of love for Istanbul, written by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Through an intimate and melancholic narrative, Memories and the City takes us back to the author’s childhood and youth, immersing us in the streets of a city that bridges Europe and Asia. Pamuk portrays an Istanbul suspended between modernity and tradition, between the present and the memories of a glorious past. A stunning depiction, I might say!

This book is not just a poetic guide to the city but an opportunity to understand the soul of Istanbul, with its contrasts and hidden beauties. If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul, reading this book will make you feel like a true local, allowing you to appreciate the nuances that a hurried tourist might overlook.

Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières

On the eve of World War I, in a village in southeastern Anatolia, lies a community where Greeks, Turks, and Armenians have lived peacefully together for generations. It’s a place rich in diversity: men and women of all ages, Jews, Catholics, and Muslims, who not only share the same space but also a history filled with difficult and tragic moments. But History is approaching inexorably, bringing with it World War I and the figure of Kemal Atatürk. Young men are called to the front, and with them disappears the delicate balance of coexistence.
Nationalism begins to rise, sowing hatred and division, ultimately leading to forced exiles and horrific massacres.

Louis de Bernières, the acclaimed author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, brings to life a frequently overlooked chapter of history with this historical novel. I was deeply moved by the sensitivity with which he addresses hard-hitting themes like loss and the destruction of communities. This novel offers an important reflection on just how fragile peace can be when politics and ideology take over.

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The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

If you prefer contemporary novels, Elif Shafak is one of the most brilliant voices in modern Turkish literature. The Bastard of Istanbul tells the story of Armanoush, a young woman of Armenian descent who embarks on a journey to Turkey to uncover her roots, and Asya, a girl from Istanbul burdened by a family of women and the absence of a father.

When the two meet, a profound bond forms between two worlds that history has often seen in conflict: the Armenian and the Turkish. Through their friendship, they uncover a secret that links their families and together confront the painful past that ties their peoples.

Elif Shafak masterfully tackles a delicate subject like the Armenian question, a wound still raw in Turkey’s collective consciousness. What stands out most is how the personal journeys of these two girls touch upon universal themes of memory, identity, and reconciliation with the past.

I find it fascinating how Istanbul, a city so steeped in history and contradictions, becomes a character in its own right. It’s an invitation to reflect on how family secrets and traumas can tell the story of entire nations.

Turkish Embassy Letters (1716-1718) by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

If you are fascinated by the past, this book offers a glimpse into 18th-century Turkey through the eyes of an English noblewoman. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, wrote a series of letters during her stay in Turkey, describing court life, local customs, and the role of women in Ottoman society.

I personally found both the events she narrates and her style captivating. Her sharp and often ironic observations provide a unique perspective on historic Turkey and how it was perceived by Europeans of the time.

It’s a light yet intriguing read, perfect for anyone who loves to combine history with travel.

Click on the image to purchase it on Amazon

The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron

Although not entirely dedicated to Turkey, this classic of travel literature includes wonderful descriptions of the country. Robert Byron, with his poetic and adventurous style, takes us through Asia Minor and the Middle East in the 1930s, offering a unique and fascinating perspective.

For true travelers, there is a place that exerts an irresistible attraction, and it lies thousands of kilometers away, between Afghanistan, the Iranian plateau, and the legendary Oxiana. This semi-desert land carries the memory of an ancient, verdant paradise. One can explore Oxiana following the traces of Alexander the Great or Marco Polo, but Byron suggests a more captivating route: starting from Venice, the gateway to the East, and continuing into the heart of Asia, passing through Cyprus, Palestine, Syria, and beyond.

I find it fascinating how Byron transforms a physical journey into a journey of the imagination, rich with historical and cultural references. I like to think of this journey not just as a geographical exploration but as a way to rediscover mythical and dreamy places that have captivated travelers and conquerors for centuries. Byron doesn’t just follow the well-trodden paths but creates his own route, enriched by his aesthetic and historical sensitivity, offering a fresh perspective on an ancient world.

If you love exploration stories, this book will make you want to pack a backpack and head out on an adventure.

Reading books about Turkey before visiting allows you to go beyond the surface and immerse yourself in its complex identity. Through the stories of local and international writers, you can learn about the history, culture, and daily life of the country, making your travel experience more authentic and profound.

If you’re planning to visit Turkey or dreaming of doing so one day, let yourself be inspired by these books that will make you fall in love with this land suspended between East and West.

But now, I ask you… have you read one or any of these books? What do you think? Or is there a suggestion that particularly inspires you???
I’m curious to know your opinion, share it with me in the comments!