In the first let me tell you that you are on of my 3 favorite Authors, And they are all women .i read most your novels. And I'm here in this application to read yout substack post. But i didn't have the courage to post comments because my english still poor especially in writing i can understnd but i can t write correctly like intelectuel people who write in english . But today i m trying to reply you below this interesting article because its make me think about one of wonderfull novels i read "leyla the black tulip " of the turkish and immigrant novelist (like you ) alev lytle courtier the story is about a girl who like grow tulip she travelled like the men montionned in your story but from europe to topkapi palace.
I think that alev and elif have the same meaning the first letter of arabic and hebrew allphabet . ?
Thank you for writing this note. Don't worry about your English skills, you know how to communicate. It's always nice to learn about good authors. Substack is good for that.
Your writing and words keep my soul alive. I listened to you on bbc good reads twice recently. What incredible insight into the human condition. Thank you Elif 🙏🌸
Yet again Elif l thank you for this story. I loved that the precious cargo was tulip bulbs and not people. I really don’t know what can be done for more people to have empathy for other people especially refugees. More education perhaps, children do not get taught about history and often what they learn is distorted into hating others. Why do wars happen, what have politics to do with this. Money and power become the new tulip bulbs and yes it feels like we are hurtling into chaos and madness! During these times l like to read as much as possible especially writers from other countries. It’s how I’ve always learned about others and their life and history and l always talk to people, especially women, when I’m out and about in London. When you connect with other people from other cultures and walks of life it enriches your life, increases your understanding and you realise we are all one and the same!
Worth an exploratory reading reconnaissance I suggest Sinem. She's, intellectually, a heavy literary hitter. May check out the memoir written by her husband John Bayley, or alternatively and quicker the excellent film adapted from the memoir, in which Judi Dench was superlative as the adult Iris.
Who'd, given the multi-headed Medusa that is The Misogyny that has been so prevalent in our shared humanity's historical past and, much evidence indicates, prevails in the entirely fictive - as you'll readily understand - Melanian Dystopia of the present be such a sucker as to disbelieve in the, individual and collective, Wisdom of Women?
As you listen to whatever it is that is of, or related to, The Iris that is in your mind do - please - give thanks Sinem for such writers as Iris Murdoch. She, and not a few female others - past, present and emerging - pave the hope of a better future for all, let's say, writers any and everywhere.
Dear Author, readers, In my own quest to answer this question, "fear" always rises to the surface. The mevlana says: Why sit in the prison when the door is wide open? The answer, it would seem is always fear. From there other sage voices have, for this traveler atleast, resonated on this theme: Gunduz Vassaf, Erich Fromm, to name just two. Of course there are many more, but even just one is enough to mark the trail...
So true, and very beautifully written! How we get caught up in mass hysteria without thinking on our own. For my research, I have been reading about cognitive flexibility for the last two days, and it feels like serendipity to find the same concept here!
Yes Susan. If not quite always then, majorly, mostly I wholeheartedly agree. Gives a body,and the mind it houses, cause for pause 🤔, do each and every one of for these, to relied upon, Sunday posts by Elif.
Thank you for this note...you have a lovely way with the words. More important, I learnt something new, origin of Tulip mania in Europe. (Of course many things in Europe have connection to Ottoman Empire, directly or indirectly and not necessarily positive, like Croissants). How well put about human behaviour of following masses, something I thought was restricted to my part of the subcontinent - India, Pakistan; but has sadly gripped the world.
As ever your storytelling is so engaging; the comparison between then and now is wholly convincing. Thank you for your perspective. Since hearing you speak at Bradford Literature Festival (pre-Covid) I've been an avid reader of your novels.
Mackay’s book makes me think of Eric Hoffer’s “The True Believer,” written shortly after the end of World War II and one of the best explorations I’ve ever read of mass movements (not manias but I like the way you relate manias of consumption and profit here to social dynamics—so relevant!) and why people become impassioned believers of violent autocrats and authoritarians.
Fascinating read as always - I think though if we do have to have any mania tulipmania would be preferable (but my daughter's middle name is 'Lale' so I'm still suffering from it lol).
Hello dear Story teller ...
In the first let me tell you that you are on of my 3 favorite Authors, And they are all women .i read most your novels. And I'm here in this application to read yout substack post. But i didn't have the courage to post comments because my english still poor especially in writing i can understnd but i can t write correctly like intelectuel people who write in english . But today i m trying to reply you below this interesting article because its make me think about one of wonderfull novels i read "leyla the black tulip " of the turkish and immigrant novelist (like you ) alev lytle courtier the story is about a girl who like grow tulip she travelled like the men montionned in your story but from europe to topkapi palace.
I think that alev and elif have the same meaning the first letter of arabic and hebrew allphabet . ?
Thank you
Thank you for writing this note. Don't worry about your English skills, you know how to communicate. It's always nice to learn about good authors. Substack is good for that.
Thank you sir .. i m always trying to improve my self in good places and with good people .
Keep sharing your voice. :)
Your comment is well written. I’m curious what are your other two favourite authors?
Thank you
Fatima mernissi from morocco
And inaam kachachi from iraq
I shall look for these authors. Thank you.
Your post is fabulous and you write well. Please write again 🙏
Thank you Elif! Your writing not only beautiful and inspirational but also informative! I always learn something new about the history and the world!
Wow! I so LOVE what you did with the tulip bulbs. You had me thinking they were young humans. :)
Ralph Waldo Emerson is a favorite of mine. He said:
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
Your writing and words keep my soul alive. I listened to you on bbc good reads twice recently. What incredible insight into the human condition. Thank you Elif 🙏🌸
I look forward to Sundays because of Elif's posts!
Yet again Elif l thank you for this story. I loved that the precious cargo was tulip bulbs and not people. I really don’t know what can be done for more people to have empathy for other people especially refugees. More education perhaps, children do not get taught about history and often what they learn is distorted into hating others. Why do wars happen, what have politics to do with this. Money and power become the new tulip bulbs and yes it feels like we are hurtling into chaos and madness! During these times l like to read as much as possible especially writers from other countries. It’s how I’ve always learned about others and their life and history and l always talk to people, especially women, when I’m out and about in London. When you connect with other people from other cultures and walks of life it enriches your life, increases your understanding and you realise we are all one and the same!
"Un-selfing" - that is exactly what we need these days...Thank you Elif Shafak
Do you happen to have read any of Iris Murdoch's writings Sinem?
Hi Rob, I heard about her but I'm afraid I haven't. Thanks for sharing.
Worth an exploratory reading reconnaissance I suggest Sinem. She's, intellectually, a heavy literary hitter. May check out the memoir written by her husband John Bayley, or alternatively and quicker the excellent film adapted from the memoir, in which Judi Dench was superlative as the adult Iris.
Now, I’m listening one of her interviews, what a wise woman…She’s brought up in Chiswick, London which is very near to where I live. Thanks Rob!
A wise woman?
Who'd, given the multi-headed Medusa that is The Misogyny that has been so prevalent in our shared humanity's historical past and, much evidence indicates, prevails in the entirely fictive - as you'll readily understand - Melanian Dystopia of the present be such a sucker as to disbelieve in the, individual and collective, Wisdom of Women?
As you listen to whatever it is that is of, or related to, The Iris that is in your mind do - please - give thanks Sinem for such writers as Iris Murdoch. She, and not a few female others - past, present and emerging - pave the hope of a better future for all, let's say, writers any and everywhere.
Dear Author, readers, In my own quest to answer this question, "fear" always rises to the surface. The mevlana says: Why sit in the prison when the door is wide open? The answer, it would seem is always fear. From there other sage voices have, for this traveler atleast, resonated on this theme: Gunduz Vassaf, Erich Fromm, to name just two. Of course there are many more, but even just one is enough to mark the trail...
So true, and very beautifully written! How we get caught up in mass hysteria without thinking on our own. For my research, I have been reading about cognitive flexibility for the last two days, and it feels like serendipity to find the same concept here!
As always after reading whatever you write, thank you.
Yes Susan. If not quite always then, majorly, mostly I wholeheartedly agree. Gives a body,and the mind it houses, cause for pause 🤔, do each and every one of for these, to relied upon, Sunday posts by Elif.
Thank you for this note...you have a lovely way with the words. More important, I learnt something new, origin of Tulip mania in Europe. (Of course many things in Europe have connection to Ottoman Empire, directly or indirectly and not necessarily positive, like Croissants). How well put about human behaviour of following masses, something I thought was restricted to my part of the subcontinent - India, Pakistan; but has sadly gripped the world.
As ever your storytelling is so engaging; the comparison between then and now is wholly convincing. Thank you for your perspective. Since hearing you speak at Bradford Literature Festival (pre-Covid) I've been an avid reader of your novels.
Mackay’s book makes me think of Eric Hoffer’s “The True Believer,” written shortly after the end of World War II and one of the best explorations I’ve ever read of mass movements (not manias but I like the way you relate manias of consumption and profit here to social dynamics—so relevant!) and why people become impassioned believers of violent autocrats and authoritarians.
Sounds like the basis of a very intriguing novel!
Your writing is always beautiful, but I love that there is so much wisdom in what you say.
Fascinating read as always - I think though if we do have to have any mania tulipmania would be preferable (but my daughter's middle name is 'Lale' so I'm still suffering from it lol).