The Ḥarēm: An Account Of The Institution As It Existed In The Palace Of The Turkish Sultans, With A History Of The Grand Seraglio From Its Foundation To The Present Time

by N.M. Penzer

In insightful look into the real history of harems.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

277 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1936

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in 1036, Penzer's book is a deeply detailed look at the Grand Seraglio, known colloquially as the "Harem" in Constantinople, Turkey. Much of what happened within the harem is unknown. Inner workings were kept secret. There are a few visitors that were allowed within the gates into certain areas and those visits were chronicled in travelogues, poems, and artwork. From these resources and information gleaned from the museum of the Grand Seraglio, opened after the end of the harem system, Penzer dives into the soul of the complex that held women captive for centuries. The author discusses the physical structure of the seraglio, the harem system, and the day-to-day work that took place to keep the Sultan, his mother, and his wives and slaves operating under the Ottoman Empire.

This is really well written and mostly engrossing for those that are interested in what goes on behind the walls and veils of the Ottoman harem.

[Alan]

This was so dry as to be unreadable. When it was originally written, in the 30's, very few people had been into the Topkapi palace and fewer still into the Harem. Now having toured there, the extremely slow pace of the book and it's dry style which taught me nothing new about the palace, made me put the book down after struggling through 150 pages.

[Sylvia Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of treasure chest one hopes to find at the end of a rainbow, but it is not a novel. This is a compendium of the kind of information history lovers and novelists (who are worth their salt) seek. Being a lover of travel writing going back to the time of Ibn Fadlan, I disagree that this book is dry, but I like to read about culture. You want to know about the different types of eunuchs? That information is here. Do you want to know which Europeans of the 16th and 17th centuries found their way into the seraglio? That information is here too. I recommend getting the hardback because the illustrations are fantastic.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to do research on the harem at the emperor's palace in Constantinople, then this is the book for you. You will be all but drowned in information as the author's copious research and first hand knowledge is richer than anything which I have read on the subject. You will be well off picking this book up, even if the ending is rather abrupt.

[Camila Seixas e Sousa]

Stopped reading at the description of eunuchs as “They unite the small brain of the negro with the childish imagination of the ignorant Oriental. Consequently they believe the wildest stories (...)” (145).

[zulaykha · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a really fascinating read. it didn’t speak much on the lives of women in the harem as I hoped, but it was interesting nevertheless

[Vivienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1936 account of the palace of the Grand Seraglio and its history. Read as background on works such as 'The Janissary Tree' and 'The Aviary Gate'.

[Tucker]

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