When I read „The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus”, I was fascinated with the author’s writing voice and the history she is an intricate part of. I kept hoping that she would write another book, hopefully one that offered further insight into the Ottomans. I am glad she decided to pursue this path and I must admit that I found “A Farewell to Imperial Istanbul” equally fascinating. The book brings back to the beginning of the 1920s, when the Ottoman Empire fell apart, and the fate of the Imperial family was sealed. As the author so wonderfully puts it, this is a “captivating tale of family, duty, and the resilience of the human spirit”.
My opinion:
Even though this is a known part of history, it feels like a privilege to read about the twilight years of the Ottoman Empire from an intimate point of view. The author delivers a poignant account of events that shaped her family’s destiny, and I think it is beautiful that her motivation lies in the desire to keep the memory of those long gone alive. In having written this book, she brought a personal homage to the members of the House of Osman. The book, which is based on incredibly detailed research, shows how difficult it was for the members of the Imperial family to leave everything behind and forge new lives in foreign lands. Indeed, they showed not only strength and resilience, but also dignity and nobility.
The Ottoman Empire was broken and fragmented in 1922, with the Sultanate having been abolished. Sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin remains the Caliph of Islam, but his life is threatened numerous times, and he has no other choice but to go in exile. Despite this decision, “his duty would always be to his nation, his people, and to his family”. In presenting the bits of history that decided the future of the Ottomans, the author relies on wonderful elements of description. She appeals to scents that are characteristics for the culture, including rosewater, sandalwood, and jasmine. When she describes a character, she resorts to words that capture the essence of that person. The eyes of a woman are the “warm shade of honey”, I think this is just beautiful.
Throughout the book, we get to see how much pressure was applied on the members of the Imperial family and how unfair they were treated. The decision to form the new state and send all the members of the Imperial family into exile is the central theme and for all the right reasons. We get to see them going from a place of respect and dignity to a life that is altogether different. They had to leave everything behind, and the exile forced them to be scattered throughout the entire world. Reading the book, I could see how much pain was nestled in the author’s heart. And I think it is incredible that she continues to honor the memory of those who were part of the Imperial family, to fight for them to receive the recognition they deserve. Naturally, I must also give her credit for being able to introduce her readers into the atmosphere of back then, with baklava glistening in golden honey, chilled sherbet, and fragrant apple tea.
Favorite quotes:
“A profound sense of responsibility weighed heavily on his heart, but it was a burden he bore without faltering, for his devotion to his people and homeland was a force that propelled him forward.”
“Lined with ancient buildings and illuminated only by the moon’s luminescence, these streets became a labyrinth of memories and echoes of centuries of Ottoman rule.”
“A lone photographer stood patiently to one side, waiting to capture the moment and preserve it with the single click of a shutter. The photograph, evidence of a nation in transition, would endure, telling the story of a snowy afternoon when the Dolmabahçe Palace embraced a new chapter, and history was stamped on its snowy threshold.”
“However, it was the infamous red enamelled Gallipoli Star, proudly pinned to Faruk’s right breast pocket, that mesmerized Vâsib. Its striking crimson shade, reminiscent of the Ottoman flag, symbolised to him the sacrifices and courage of the brave Turkish soldiers whose blood was spilt in defence of their homeland”.
“The fragrant spices from the old bazaars and the aroma of roasted coffee mingled in the air, entwined with the distance echo of the call to prayer, encapsulating the very soul of Stamboul.”
“Beneath the window, the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus flowed past – a shimmering embroidery sewn by the golden threads of the setting sun, as a pod of dolphins leapt gracefully into the sultry evening air, orchestrating a ballet performance for their audience.”
“The prospect of fresh air, exercise, and listening to the invigorating gypsy melodies performed by Maestro Gulescu and his orchestra sounds like a splendid idea, he added enthusiastically. The two princes admired the virtuoso Romanian violinist, whose lively gypsy music always lifted their spirits whenever they visited the Tokatlian Hotel.”
Verdict:
There are so many things I loved about this book, that it is hard to summarize. The writing style is spot on, and she knows how to present history not as it was told, but as it influenced her family members and her own destiny in the end. A master of descriptions and storytelling, she speaks of the elegance and refinement of the Ottoman Empire, reflected in the grandiose buildings, beautiful clothes, and mouth-watering morsels of food. The members of the Imperial family were highly educated and had a clear love for what really matters, and the exile modified the course of their lives. I applaud the author for finding the courage to share her family’s history and I encourage you to give it a try. You won’t regret it!
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