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alicegns's review against another edition
4.0
Mesmerizing and brilliant are two words that best describe the beautiful narrative that Elif Shafak encapsulates in her novels. Just like The Bastard of Istanbul, this book speaks about cultural identities and personal experiences in a way that is both original and captivating. The Guardian’s review of the book likens Shafak to Isabelle Allende, and I concur. While the style is not the same, and Shafak doesn’t do magical realism, there’s something about Honour that reminded me of Allende and her deeply moving novels.
The concept of honour has another meaning altogether in the East, and Shafak’s novel does an incredible job of pointing out how the unwritten laws of honour in Muslim societies have an impact on women’s (and men’s) lives.
Honour follows the story of Pembe, a woman born in Turkey who moved to London with her husband and had three children there. Even though they are all born in Britain, the children couldn’t be more different, and the eldest son, Iskender, has a tough time navigating through life in London while doing his best to be “a good Muslim.” When Pembe’s husband leaves for good, Iskender feels that it’s his job to protect the family’s honour. At this point, tragedy is only a matter of time.
The prose is beautiful, as I mentioned before, but some readers, myself included, may find the final plot twist a bit trite. This doesn’t change the fact that the novel is a powerful, insightful look into the life of a family of immigrants.
Living in a suspended world, always looking back to their place of origin, and never being able to really integrate in the new community, the family has the story of millions of uprooted individuals who were lured by the West and its way of life only to discover that you need to let go of the past and lose yourself in the process of rebuilding yourself into someone rather unrecognizable. Very few can do it, so the rest are condemned to tragic lives in which the geography of the soul plays a lead role.
The concept of honour has another meaning altogether in the East, and Shafak’s novel does an incredible job of pointing out how the unwritten laws of honour in Muslim societies have an impact on women’s (and men’s) lives.
Honour follows the story of Pembe, a woman born in Turkey who moved to London with her husband and had three children there. Even though they are all born in Britain, the children couldn’t be more different, and the eldest son, Iskender, has a tough time navigating through life in London while doing his best to be “a good Muslim.” When Pembe’s husband leaves for good, Iskender feels that it’s his job to protect the family’s honour. At this point, tragedy is only a matter of time.
The prose is beautiful, as I mentioned before, but some readers, myself included, may find the final plot twist a bit trite. This doesn’t change the fact that the novel is a powerful, insightful look into the life of a family of immigrants.
Living in a suspended world, always looking back to their place of origin, and never being able to really integrate in the new community, the family has the story of millions of uprooted individuals who were lured by the West and its way of life only to discover that you need to let go of the past and lose yourself in the process of rebuilding yourself into someone rather unrecognizable. Very few can do it, so the rest are condemned to tragic lives in which the geography of the soul plays a lead role.
12grace4's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lauha_aaltonen's review against another edition
5.0
4,5 tähteä - pyöristin ylöspäin✨️
Puhutteleva, kaunis, surullinen, raivostuttava ja ajatuksia herättävä monisukupolvinen ja moniuloitteinen tarina naisen asemasta ja kulttuurien yhteystörmäyksestä yllättäviä käänteitä unohtamatta. Elif Shafakista on tulossa yks mun lempikirjailijoista jolta haluun lukee kaiken!
Puhutteleva, kaunis, surullinen, raivostuttava ja ajatuksia herättävä monisukupolvinen ja moniuloitteinen tarina naisen asemasta ja kulttuurien yhteystörmäyksestä yllättäviä käänteitä unohtamatta. Elif Shafakista on tulossa yks mun lempikirjailijoista jolta haluun lukee kaiken!
i_dil's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
wirekn0t's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mehvie's review against another edition
5.0
Modesty is a women's only shield...Bear this in mind: if you lose that, you will be worth no more than a chipped kurus ( a small unit of Turkish currency). This world is cruel. It won't take pity on you.
After reading Forty Rules, I was intrigued by the authors writing style and wanted to read more of her work.
Honor is a novel about a family of immigrants who moved from Turkey to London in the 1970s. How a family tries to hold on their traditions while living in a place where there's a mix of traditions and culture. How the idea of 'Honor' doesn't change even if you assimilate to modern society.
The tone of the book is very different from the Forty Rules of Love, it is darker, secretive and at times dangerous. Writing style and character development were beautifully done. Each character grew some stayed the same because of their thinking while others grew.
The book highlights how men have been given the birth-right to protect the Honor of the family by making sure women don't do anything bad- so technically the Honor of the family lies in a woman's hand. Shafak also touches upon extremism in Islam through the character of the Orator. I disliked all the men in the book as it shows the reality of some men who think they can do anything and get away with and live a happy life. Where if a women were in the position, she would have been punished for her 'wrongdoings'. The men in the book are depicted as weak, who only follow their desires and only what they've learned from their culture and parents.
The plot twist at the end took me by surprise, and Elif Shafak introduced the plot twist intelligently!
This book discusses the prevalent societal problems faced by women of any generation and how the mother's (and society) will deem the actions of men by saying 'he's just a boy' or he'll become responsible when he grows up.' My question to you is, how long will we be under this facade of societal expectations and reasonings.
On the whole, if you're looking for a mystery but with a touch of culture and tradition, then you've come to the right book!
After reading Forty Rules, I was intrigued by the authors writing style and wanted to read more of her work.
Honor is a novel about a family of immigrants who moved from Turkey to London in the 1970s. How a family tries to hold on their traditions while living in a place where there's a mix of traditions and culture. How the idea of 'Honor' doesn't change even if you assimilate to modern society.
The tone of the book is very different from the Forty Rules of Love, it is darker, secretive and at times dangerous. Writing style and character development were beautifully done. Each character grew some stayed the same because of their thinking while others grew.
The book highlights how men have been given the birth-right to protect the Honor of the family by making sure women don't do anything bad- so technically the Honor of the family lies in a woman's hand. Shafak also touches upon extremism in Islam through the character of the Orator. I disliked all the men in the book as it shows the reality of some men who think they can do anything and get away with and live a happy life. Where if a women were in the position, she would have been punished for her 'wrongdoings'. The men in the book are depicted as weak, who only follow their desires and only what they've learned from their culture and parents.
The plot twist at the end took me by surprise, and Elif Shafak introduced the plot twist intelligently!
This book discusses the prevalent societal problems faced by women of any generation and how the mother's (and society) will deem the actions of men by saying 'he's just a boy' or he'll become responsible when he grows up.' My question to you is, how long will we be under this facade of societal expectations and reasonings.
On the whole, if you're looking for a mystery but with a touch of culture and tradition, then you've come to the right book!
mrust's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5