Rather heavy-handed in emphasizing the bad treatment of women in traditional Turkish society. Every time she'd write something about honor, I'd think, yeah, but you already said that three times... Too bad, because I really liked her other books; The Bastard of Istanbul had strong social criticism too, but subtly wrapped in a satisfying story, balanced with artistry. I attribute it to not trusting her audience: you see, even though she'd written some of her other books in English, this was the first one that she barely even expected people in her native land to want to read (discouraged by extreme negative reactions?) So it's addressed to outsiders first and foremost; too bad that this led to what I think of as miscalculation in hitting us over the head with the message for fear we won't get it.
0
