Honour

The excellent writting that Elif Shafak has is amazing. The book opens many stories together - and different narrators-and the climax is within each story plus the general climax.Unpredictable, many supositions but any certainty up to the end that every story joint the other to a end with fireworks. As the Bastard of Istambul and the Forty rules of Love is GREAT. The writer brings her background through traditions and beliefs towards the 21 century female life and the cultural clash. An intense writing, difficult to put aside after reading the first lines

I have greatly enjoyed this novel. It is a warm family novel about reconciliation and forgiveness. It traverses the uneasy divide between East and West: a transplanted family from Southeast Turkey to London suburbs. The young family is going through difficult adjustment with the father trying to prove himself, if not at the work place, at gambling tables. The wife, Pembe, venturing out outside the safety of her home to supplement family income... The storey telling was so riveting. I was racing through the pages looking for a different ending even though most of the events were already displayed. The umbilical connection between the twin sisters was heart- warming. I believe however that the author in the end took this connection too far. A must read for those interested to learn about Turkey's efforts to cope with modernity and Westernization.

Loved it ... Simply a page turner ... She ( Elif Shafak) is that magical mixture between east and west like so many of us and juggling between cultures is her speciality ... Definitely read this book ...

for those who like the MIddle East, highly recommended, i loved the story line. these books make me realise how much choice, freedom us women in 1st world countries have. highly recommended

The novel details the lives of a Turkish family who immigrate to London, England, in the 1970’s. The author highlights cultural issues Muslim immigrants face in Western countries. The author particularly focuses on the struggles women encounter when caught between family dynamics, cultural bonds, and the new society in which they reside. Adem and Pembe Toprak share an unhappy marriage. Adem, inherently unhappy as a result of his difficult childhood, marries Pembe, after he learns, according to tradition, he cannot marry, her twin sister, whom he loves. The family moves to London. Pembe is expected to follow Islamic tradition; Adem is free to follow his dreams. Adem’s dreams include other women and gambling. To support the family, Pembe must work, for which she is blamed for her failing marriage and for not following Muslim tradition. For these infractions, Pembe’s son, encouraged by an uncle, decides to extract revenge. The well written story winds in and out of Turkish folklore.

Fascinating.I could not stop till i finished.Would like to read more.

I have read The Bastard of Istambul prior to this one, and I liked them both. Honour is a bit of a soap opera, a bit melodramatic but an interesting novel, an engrossing tale set in Turkey and in UK. Interesting insight in to an emigrants plight caught between two cultures, and the values and circumstances we bring to a new beginning. The baggage that is part of who we are. There is an interesting twist in the story that you glimpse in the opening lines.

I really enjoyed this book which educated me about a completely culture know very little about whilst being interesting to read on to find out more. I only gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because I feel it could have been edited in places where it became a little rambling, however it had a great story line and twist at the end that I didn't expect.