Customer Reviews

The Turkish Lover

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I often wondered, as I read this book, whether it was among the most self-serving blather I'd read in ages or one of the best books I'd read in years. Really, what's more self-serving than immortalizing your own existence in a book? And how much better when that book makes a former lover, who treated you poorly, look like a fool - repeatedly? In the end, though, the answer is - one of the best books I've read in years! If the periodic Spanish phrase intimidates the English-reading-only, don't let that stop you - almost every phrase is smoothly translated in the text.

Esmeralda Santiago, oldest of eleven children, runs away from home. At age 21, "runs away" sounds strange, but it is what she does. To be with her probably-Armenian-insists-he's-Turkish lover, Ulvi Dogan, she leaves her mother's home and begins to find herself by first leaving behind "Negi", the name she was called at home. Ulvi likes her just the way she is - naive, innocent, rather obedient and not at all a "spoiled American girl" - and calls her Chiquita. He treats her almost like property, looks on her family with disdain and works hard to keep her from growing, changing, and making friends. What Ulvi likes about her, and the way she honestly writes about it, makes the reader actually understand a little why she stays with this man, who is seventeen years older than she and would obviously not be able to have a relationship with a strong-willed, independent woman of his own age with opinions of her own - one who would certainly not let him call her "Chiquita". Without her honesty, the sentence "I was nothing Ulvi had told me many times." on page 23 would leave the reader wondering what could possibly be worth reading for the next 300 pages.

Esmeralda's relationship with Ulvi begins to end from the very start, when he returns from a stay in the hospital and locks himself in the bedroom to talk to another woman. It takes years to conclude. From Florida to New York to Texas and back to the east coast, often together, sometimes apart, Ulvi and Esmeralda seem to live two lives - his and theirs. Every break-up or time spent apart gives her more insight into herself and more courage to become Esmeralda, with her own life, until - one step at a time - she eventually finds herself, in every sense of the phrase, at Harvard. It seemed only fitting to me that her graduation should be in Boston in 1976, the 200th anniversary of the independence of America.

One small pleasure, for the nosy (like me!) reader: run "Ulvi Dogan" through a search engine. More than half of the hits are for this book, very few relate to "his" movie. A small thing, but I disliked the guy enough to smile when I saw that! I feel as if I should confess that I'm white, and living in a neighborhood that is mostly Hispanic and that a good chunk of the Spanish population here is Puerto Rican. Maybe that's what ultimately made this book such a pleasure - I could identify bits and pieces of culture and tradition from the book in the lives of people I know and care about. Or maybe it's that, despite her constant reference to her culture and the race issues that crop up throughout, Esmeralda's just a woman, and this is a story any woman of any age or race can relate to on some level. Either way, this title's well worth the time and has me looking forward (or, more accurately, backward) to finding her other works.

- AnnaLovesBooks

Esmeraldo Santiago continues being captivating and at the same time totally refreshing. It is mainly because of her wonderful literary skill: distinctively interwoven poetic lyricism, rhapsodic narrative and rhythmic dialogue. Santiago's prose flows with a ready elegance, yet it has a seductive element that is quite subtle. She speaks for many young Latina women when she daringly exposes her vulnerability to the traditional and often overwhelming horrors of an abusive machismo ... whether boricua, dominicano, mexicano, Turkish or Anglo-Saxon. Ultimately, she triumphs gleefully with the astute realization that "there's always another train on the way."

THE TURKISH LOVER, unquestionably like the previous offerings from this powerfully talented writer, is certain to touch the lives of many of her readers. This latest work by Santiago is a joyous ode to love itself. Te felicito, hermana.

Alan Cambeira
author of Azucar's Sweet Hope...Her Story Continues.

Don't let the title of this book fool you. It is NOT a story of some Turkish romance. Its the dynamics of how a highly intelligent, enlightened and educated young woman can still be in a dependant, abusive relationship. It shows that these rocky relationships, if you let them, can help us grow. Women should not feel ashamed if they have been in a relationship like this. We feel Esmaralda's vunerability in this book, as well as her great joys and accomplishments. As a Puerto Rican woman growing up in New York City in the 50's and 60's, she witnesses these thing early on, seeing how women are viewed in society, and in Puerto Rico. If you are without a man you are a Jamona, an old piece of ham. This is the story of a Puerto Rican woman who doesn't want that for herself , but must struggle with her independance without the help of her familia. I am envious of her independance and work ethic. I am also madly in love with the Puerto Rican culture. She describes her culture with such warmth, of the good and bad. Every turn of the book something exciting happens. The book contstantly moves forward. This book moved me and inspired me. The most moving part of this book is the conclusion that,no matter how successful and educated you are the most important thing is to be understoud, and accepted and loved unconditionally. Thank you Esmaralda for your vunerabelity. I can't wait to read your next book. Your dynamic life as touched me deeply.

I have to say that again Esmeralda Santiago touched my heart, and not in the way that she did with, "When I Was Puerto Rican." I do not think, "but I hope", she could duplicate that magic. But this book is the third installment of her Memoirs, and while the magic of her childhood can still be seen in some minor parts of the book, The Turkish Lover heads into a different direction.
The book is based around her the age of 21 to 28 and her rocky relationship with a much older man. The book was a page turner and I could not put it down for a second. Esmeralda writes with such passion and feeling, that deep within your soul, you feel her pains and joys, for me she write like no other author has. I have waited for a long time for another of her books, and the wait is over, and I can truly say I am not disappointed.
If you have never read any of her books, and to get a deeper understanding for this book, I highly recommend picking up her first book, "When I Was Puerto Rican." Follow that with "Almost a Woman" and then go and read, "The Turkish Lover." I am sure you will become hocked and become an instant fan, and after reading all three of those books and you wish to read more of her work, pick up, "America's Dream A Novel."
I was very fortunate enough to have gotten the chance to receantly meet Esmeralda Santiago in a book signing for this book, and she has much planned for another trilogy of books based on a Rural Peasant Family from Puerto Rico, the book is to span a few generations, starting in the 1800's, and ending in present, so that will be a great read.
For you die hard fan's of Esmeralda, such as myself, she is planning on writing more about the earlier lives of her Father and Mother. And if you are a fan of her work, especially "When I Was Puerto Rican" you probably feel in love with her Father, and want to know more of this mysterious but yet lovable and wise man.
I can not recommend this book so much, It is a great book, beautiful, poetic, inspiring, thrilling, sad, and just lovely, and it is Puerto Rican Food for the Soul.

I believe that a lot of Latinas could relate to this book in many ways, the overpowering and overprotecting mother that you have to run away from into the arms of an overpowering, overprotecting, and near or passed abusive boyfriend.

What I liked about this book the most, is how vivid its descriptioin is in terms of a woman's life, what she has to fight against, stereotypes that even she is put to believe, her boyfriend's and family's opinions and wishes for her and everything else...

Santiago describes in this book what lots of other women writing their biography would describe in a chapter to avoid the shame: that the whole relationship is doomed. Each chapter describes one more reason for why and how difficult it is for her to accept that she is better on her own.

A lot of times we look upon women staying in relationships similar to this and we ask her "What are you stupid? Can't you see he treats you worse than garbage?" Well if you want the answers to those questions Santiago has the answers in this book.

I don't think that Santiago wrote this book to describe her anger against a "Turkish" lover. It seems to me she wrote it to liberate herself from it, to close the book on that chapter, to let go. This boyfriend could have been an abusive Puertorican or American or any other ethnicity and I think that she would have written the book JUST THE SAME!

Esmeralda Santiago is a really great storyteller. I couldn't believe how much detail she recalls in her youth, but that's just how much of a great writer she is. As a Puerto Rican female growing up in the United States, I have really found comfort in Mrs. Santiago's books. When I read When I was a Puerto Rican, I was elated to read that someone felt the same as I had in my youth. Now Esmeralda takes us into the journey of her womanhood or as she puts it no longer a "nena decente". She falls for a man named Ulvi, her turkish lover and for the next 6 years controls her life in every which way. She is his "Chiquita", not Esmeralda. This book is wonderful, but it leaves you wanting more and more we will get. I can't wait to read her next book. I highly recommend this book as well as her two previous memoirs.

It's a great book -- very emotional. Sometimes you want to shake Esmeralda into seeing that she is totally dominated by Ulvi, but she's under his spell. It's amazing how years go by without the realization that one is living in a prison. However, when Esmerald finally unravels herself from Ulvi's person, you can feel the weight being lifted off her shoulders and her relief in finally exhaling!

I have read all of Esmerald Santiago's books and was excited to read her latest memoir. If you have enjoyed her other books, as I have, you will enjoy this book. It is not as one dimensional as some other reviewers have mentioned. Ulvi is not the villain, but someone who entered her life for purpose. They face obstacles as all relationships do. Esmeralda mentions the nationalities/race of almost everyone she encounters, including her lover. It's not a form of racism, but of description. Read the book with an open mind and I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I have.

I am a fan of Esmeralda Santiago and love reading her books. I really enjoyed the Turkish Lover and once I started I could not put it down. Being raised in N.Y.C. of Puerto Rican Parents I can definitely relate to her books.

Mrs. Santiago keeps on with her life. Even I did not like at all her relationship with the "Turkish Lover," her life is just a reality now a days. I am amazed on her personal growth and how far she has moved forward. Her unconditional growth is an inspiration. She is a great and simple writter. Like her style.