Haremlik; Some Pages from the Life of Turkish Women

by Demetra Vaka

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 1909

About the author

Demetra Vaka Brown belonged to the cosmopolitan middle class of Istanbul and was one of the first Greek immigrant women who joined American mainstream culture and society.

After her wedding to author Kenneth Brown, she worked for the American Press and was eventually considered an authority on the subjects of oriental women and also on the Eastern Question.

She worked as a journalist and foreign correspondent in the U.S.A. and the Balkans, especially in Ottoman Turkey. Her 14 books were in print until the 1930’s and were translated into several European languages. Unfortunately, Vaka Brown’s books are today out of print however her entire written corpus is held by the Princeton University Library.

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is pathetic. In the colloquial ánd literary theory way. It is so bad it becomes good. Considered giving it three stars, but that would be unfair to the *actually* good 3 star reads. I picked this up out of pure academic interest in Orientalist writing by women (it's available freely online) and oh boy, this did not disappoint. Virtually ever Orientalist trope and stereotype imaginable is present here. With the added layer of sapphic tension between the narrator and every Turkish woman she meets.

I wouldn't recommend reading thisnfor its literary merit. There's really no plot; every story that is set up serves the narrator's moral lessens and gives her the opportunity to play devil's advocate. 90% of the conversations in this book boil down to her asking Turkish women: "How can your husband have several wives?!?! How do you live like this?!" and trying to trick them into thinking like her. The other 10% are her saying Greeks are the superior race and that Turkey must be reclaimed.

Surprisingly then, the narrator is ob-sessed with Turkey and "the Orientals". If it weren't for the harem / one husband - multiple wives thing, she would probably have made a life for herself in Istanbul. The book is full of praise for Turkish women and the "Oriental way of living". So poetic, so beautiful, so carefree, so... childish!

My favorite part was when the narrator tags along to an underground meeting of Turkish suffragettes. She's *absolutely disgusted* that these women should want independence and care more about philosophy than men :") She also describes how these suffragettes were planning to draw 6 random names at their meeting: If your name was drawn, you had to kill yourself. This would bring attention to the women's cause. Come on, Demetra Varka... We know you're struggling with internalized misogyny, but at least try to make it less obvious? Zero subtlety

[Hazeanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demetra Vaka Brown born as an Ottoman subject of Greek origin.She went to US in earlier youth days and made her living there. She always heard the Turks being spoken of with the feeling of despise and anger by westerner. On contrary she loved Turks. Therefore for western audience, hence the birth of this book consisting of Turkish aristocrat life, customs, manner and their way of thinking and what she thought of that. The stories featured happened during her visit to Turkey after 6years abroad.

Her description of harem life and its inhabitant was rich and vivid. Yet it written in simple way and did not overbear to the mind and comprehension of outsider. Not to overpraised her but only after reading this book i understood the concept of slavery to the Ottoman Turks.

Upon her observation of polygamous life of Salem Pasha household and some of her other friends, it became obvious to her that their way of life was harmonious to their thoughts and suited their character.While those who rebelled like Michel Louises fraternity were more or less being enticed by certain aspects of western women without understanding the culture and environment their other counterpart had to go through. I would say she tried her best to be neutral. she highlight the best while stating not so good facts. I perceived her message was both apple and orange were good but couldn't be compare as it's entirely different types.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was briefly mentioned in Memoirs of Halide Edib stating it was sugared and that haremlik isn't a real Turkish word. The tone is sometimes patronising stating that Turkish women are like children.