The Imperial Harem Of The Sultans

The Ottomans developed a highly organized society with many traditions However the writing and publiscing of memoris was not one of them Even the most illustrious Grand Vizier did not avail his personal diary to others for perusal even if he ever did put them in black on white This is what makes Leyla Saz Hanımefendi s book rather unique She was taken into the Harem of Sultan Abdülmecid at the age of four and left Çırağan Palace only to be married She is the only woman who wrote or rather dictated to her son her actual experiences of life at the Çırağan Palace where Sultan Abdülmecid reigned Her references to many incidents from the untensils used to the Ladies Orchestra make this book interesting both to the layman and to the historian Her great sense of propriety and andmiration for the way of life she enjoyed at the Palace despite the vigorous discipline is another factor that makes reading these memoirs a joyful experience