Honor by Elif Shafak Book Review

Last updated on October 6, 2020

Honor by Elif Shafak is a multi-generational story of a Turkish-Kurdish family. In this book, Shafak explores the concept of honor in different cultural contexts. The story takes place in Turkey, Gaza, Kurdistan, England, and UAE.

There are a lot of characters in Honor, spread out over 3 generations. The story explores the role of culture in shaping people’s lives. We follow Pembe on a journey across oceans, to build a life in a distant place. Her path is not predictable, though, and she ends up switching places with her sister twice. Her identical twin sister, Jamila, the Virgin Midwife spends much of her life close to home. Each sister, in very different ways, has their life shaken. Are they victims of fate or destiny, or the fallibility of humankind?

When the book starts, Esme is getting ready to pick up her brother from prison, where he’s served 14 years for Esme. We feel her conflict, her judgement of her brother, but we have to go back in time to find out what happens.

Going backward to find out the story

Pembe moves to London in 1970 with her husband Adem and two children: her “sultan” Iskander, and daughter Esme. Her third child, Yunus, is born in England. Jamila was the sister that Adem first fell in love with, but he accepts Pembe instead because of honor. In the end, Jamila stays put, while Pembe gets to travel, both responding to the calling that they feel.

Contrary to their cultural tradition, Pembe joins the workforce to help support the family. When Adem leaves the family, the oldest son becomes the head of the house. Iskander enjoys leading his “gang”, some boys from the neighborhood. From being bullied, he learned that having a gang is a way for him to protect himself. He thinks that he needs to be strong, and is attracted by the more extreme views of Islam. He takes his role as head of the family seriously, and considers it his duty to protect his family’s honor.

There are lots of storylines in Honor, and you should definitely read it for yourself.

In prison, Iskander meets Zeeshan, who helps him calm his mind. Zeeshan helps him forgive himself and prepare for his release.

Curiousities

There was a Poem by Omar Kayyam in the book. Since I hadn’t heard of the poet, I looked him up and discovered he was an Iranian mathematician, poet and philosopher.

Conclusion

I I seem to be going through a period of reading books where women are being treated as chattel. I don’t like that at all, but that’s more a commentary on society and culture than on the books themselves.

Honor by Elif Shafak is a big book that I found interesting. I enjoyed reading it even though it made me cry on several occasions. Shafak explores how the cultural notion of honor can have disastrous results for both men and women in life.

With so many storylines in the book, some of them are short on details, but the story is beautifully woven. I give this book 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️