Umut Quotes

“A tidy ending is particularly elusive when the “loose ends” are cherished family members.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Each new life is hope. Each new day is hope,”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“having learned nothing from “the war to end all wars,” was mobilizing for battle once again. On the morning of September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Turkey prepared for the worst. Sitare and a few of her friends began attending courses twice a week to learn how to prepare dressings, clean wounds, and stanch blood. Soon, every young civil servant in Ankara could say his wife had learned the fundamentals of nursing.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“When I first came to Ankara, the French, British, Italian, and Greek flags were flying over the train station. It is because of Atatürk that our flag waves there today. Look, even our former enemies are here to pay their respects.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“a horse-drawn caisson conveyed the father of the Turks to his temporary resting place. The cortege included Turkish statesmen and generals, as well as dignitaries and honor guards from numerous countries. Soldiers from foreign lands, some of which had been mortal enemies just nineteen years earlier, stood with their Turkish counterparts, their weapons pointed at the ground. Farther back walked students, teachers, workers, peasants, shopkeepers, and housewives.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“What is Bülent doing in that outlandish costume?” “Bülent is filling in for the princess, just for now.” “In women’s clothing, like a zenne at a wedding? Take that off at once! That’s right, I’m talking to you,” Reşat Bey roared. Bülent’s eyes filled with tears. Why was Granddad shouting at him? “Sabahat, it is outrageous to dress boys as girls. Don’t ever let me see you do that again!” “But at school we always—” “Not in this house, you don’t,” Ahmet Reşat snapped as he closed the door and headed back down to his study.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Continue to benefit without complaint from the scholarship the ministry has provided, and do not be presumptuous. The letter was Muhittin’s first exposure to the bloated, unwieldy, and unaccountable bureaucracy he would continuously battle throughout his long career.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Do you want to assign blame or do you want to go to school? Use your head. Nobody ever got anywhere by defying fathers and husbands. If they say you have done wrong, you have.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Zeki Salih welcomed the greater mingling of the sexes, and he accepted the abolition of the sultanate, but when the Hat Law banned his beloved fez, he blew his top.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Polygamy and the strict segregation of the sexes were not local practices, and never had been. Muslim Bosnians sought to lead by example in their community. They were passionate about their dignity, their honor, their language, and their religion, and were the loyal servants of Islam and the sultan.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“There’s an American endowment to help displaced Armenians, and they will be funding our children’s education.” “The Americans have always helped us,” Şiranus said. “God bless them.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile

“Beautiful young Rebeka, an American high school graduate from a prosperous family, and handsome young Agop, a French school graduate, also from a prosperous family, had been married in a church ceremony straight out of a fairy tale. Just look at me now, Agop, she thought, wiping away a tear. I’m about to beg for a job.”
― Ayşe Kulin, Love in Exile