A Turkish Woman's European Impressions

An insightful and witty account of a Turkish exile's cultural tour of Western Europe, first published in 1913.

Zeyneb Hanoum (Author), Grace Ellison (Edited by)

9781108050470, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 June 2012

278 pages, 16 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.36 kg

Zeyneb Hanoum (who died c.1923) and her sister Melek fled Turkey in 1906, at a time when women's freedom was severely restricted. This book, first published in 1913, is a collection of letters written by Zeyneb to her friend, feminist journalist Grace Ellison. As well as discussing the political situation in Turkey, Hanoum compares the life of Turkish women with their European counterparts and presents a more balanced view of real harem life. Witty and forthright, the author shares her opinions on strange Western phenomena such as tennis, snobbery and the poor quality of English food. She also offers views on the suffragette movement and muses on the freedoms enjoyed by women in the West. The author's outsider status provides fascinating insights into European culture and such diverse experiences as tea at the House of Commons and bullfighting. This remains an entertaining and touching travelogue from a unique viewpoint.

Introduction
1. A dash for freedom
2. Zeyneb's girlhood
3. Bewildering Europe
4. Sculpture's forbdden joy
5. The Alps and artificiality
6. Freedom's doubtful enchantments
7. Good-bye to youth - taking the veil
8. A misfit education
9. 'Smart women' through the veil
10. The true democracy
11. A country picture
12. The star from the West
13. Turkish hospitality
14. A study in contrasts
15. Dreams and realities
16. The moon of Ramazan
17. And is this really freedom?
18. The clash of creeds
19. In the enemy's land
20. The end of the dream.

Subject Areas: European history [HBJD]