Saudia Arabia-No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain

I love the show No Reservations as well as its host, Anthony Bourdain. This episode was his journey through Saudi Arabia with a Saudi Arabian-American female host. The country is shown as devout, hospitable, thriving, and full of modernity. Of course, you can't help noticing all the veiled women. Although the female host, when asked about the segregation of males and females, always seems to down play it... I as a woman watching the show can't help but feel a twinge of saddness. I feel that if I were to visit Saudia Arabia, I could never see it completely or fully participate. As amused as I am by the vibrance of the markets, the uniqueness of their culture and cuisine, I think I would always feel slightly uncomfortable. I don't know if it is because I perceive that I would have to repress my feminimity, or be concerned of some sort perceived threat. I want to understand that there are some women who appreciate their culture and want to live this way by choice. Yet, I can't help wondering all the voices that might not be able to be expressed.

I don't know if this reflects poorly on me, or if it is just where I am in my understanding of the situation. I still sense discomfort.

Persepolis

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

For anyone who wants to begin to understand Iranian people, I believe this graphic novel is a fantastic first step. The book follows a young Marjane as she tries to grow up in a war torn Iran from pre-1979 to the early 90s. Her story gives tons of perspective on the history of Iran, it's relationship with Islam, the struggle between the ideals of the West and East, exhile, and repression in her own country. The story is very accessable through vivid images.

I was completely moved by this book. I don't think one can read this book and not feel a sort of compassion for the Iranian people and their struggles. It is the perfect compliment to another one of my favorites, Lipstick Jihad. The two books occur during a very simular time frame, deal with very simular topics, and really paint a simular picture.

I really want to watch the movie associated with this book. My hope is that the illustrations are simular. I wish this book was manditory reading for our politicians, and for the rest of us. There is so much more to Iran than this tyranical regime that is portrayed on our mainstream media. These people have suffered so much, it is a miracle that persevere. I have great admiration for the women of Iran and I really hope that they find the freedom that works best for them in their lifetime.

An amazing book! A must read!

The White Castle-Orhan Pamuk

This was a selection offered by our Turkish group. It is about a young Italian scholar who is captured by the Turks at sea and brought back to Turkey as a slave. He is able to make his captivity a little better by posing as a doctor and using his Western knowledge to become an asset to the Turks.

Refusing to convert to Islam, the Italian is eventually sold to another scholarly man who bears a close resemblance to him, Hoja. Hoja demands to know everything the Italian knows. Together, they work on projects to save lives during the plague, create fireworks, and build an ultimate "weapon."

Somewhere in the balance, the Italian and Hoja get so close that they begin to become each other. In the end, they even switch places. The book cover of my edition states, "Orhan Pamuk's exploration of identity, of the strained relations between a devout, superstitious East and a "rational" West."

As this book is written by a Turk, you would think that the concept of "Orientalism" would be minimized...but I as a reader felt uncomfortable at times because the narration is by a foreigner of the West. I felt at times that the portrayal of the Turks was at times crude. The Sultan was sometimes portrayed as a not so smart leader. Hoja was a sort of crazy, ruthless slave holder, and several there seemed to be a lot of corruption and brutality.

In the end, the Italian seems to assimulate to this new world, and maybe even enjoy it. As a reader, I don't know if I at the end of the story develop a greater affection or respect of the Turks. I think that is what bothered me. If you are looking for literature that promotes a greater understanding of the modern culture of Turkey, I don't think this is the best book. I enjoyed it for what it was, although it could be confusing at times.