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The Janissary Tree ('Yashim the Eunuch' Mystery)

Author: Jason Goodwin
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Category: Book

Buy New: Ł13.86

New (3) Used (6) from Ł9.77

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

18 reviews
Sales Rank: 305924

Media: Paperback
Edition: Export Ed
Pages: 302
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1

ISBN: 0571229220
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780571229222
ASIN: 0571229220

Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships same day (if ordered Mon-Fri before 3pm) from UK, Royal Mail First Class. Prompt and Friendly customer service.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 18

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just couldnt get into this... August 8, 2007
6 out of 9 found this review helpful

Just couldnt get into this. On paper, in theory, it has all the things I love, but I just couldnt get into it. Mainly it seemed because although the novel is set in 19th century Istanbul, the sensibility, the whole personna of the leading character, the dialogue, everything in fact just seemed so unmistakably 2007. I just knew I was reading a cleverly written book by a contemporary author. And then all the names which just keep appearing from nowhere. I didnt feel that I should have footnotes to help me as some readers felt; the historical aspect seemed very well explained, but...

I wouldnt recommend it

4 out of 5 stars

Very good but references are confusing July 24, 2007
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

As a Turk who has lived in Istanbul for many years, I found this book intriguing, as well as true to the spirit and mood of of the city as well as us Turks as a nation. Jason Goodwin has researched Istanbul and its history above and beyond what can be expected from an author for his novel.

Still, I would like to say that I found quite a few references confusing:
For starters, Yashim ('jade') is a girl's name. Since he was not born a eunuch, it would be highly unlikely that our hero would have this name. 'Hashim', sure. 'Yashim', quite impossible.

There are also numerous names that are spelled one way on one page, and then in another way for the rest of the book. Yashim cooks 'Acen Yahnisi' on page 16 of my copy, and eats 'Acem Yahnisi' (correct spelling) three pages later. We first learn of 'Aya Sofya' (Turkish spelling) and then 'Hagia Sophia' (standard English spelling) which then becomes 'Hagya Sophia' (misspelt completely) literaly on the same page. 'Kislar Aga' would make better sense if written as 'Kizlar Agasi' so it would mean 'chief in charge of girls'. Through the book, we shift between Turkish words and their Anglicised semi-translations.

Least but not least - What is the 'Karagozi sect'??? Karagoz means 'black eye' and is the name of the famous traditional shadow-play puppet who pares with another puppet called Hacivat. Sure I had missed something, I Googled "Karagozi" in an Ottoman context, and there are only four references to this word: one in a book review of this book, and three blogs that seem to be referencing the puppets I mentioned.

Since I speak Turkish and know a bit about the Ottoman Empire, confusing references such as the above did not reduce my enjoyment of this book. In all, I quite liked "The Janissary Tree" and will soon start "The Snake Stone", its sequel.

5 out of 5 stars

I want Footnotes! July 3, 2007
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

It's increasingly rare to accidentaly (through the amazon reccomendations system) to suddenly discover a new author and fall in love with a new series. And this is one such book. As another reviewer has said, there are great similarities with Boris Akunin.
Naturally he does go on a bit about eunuch's and you'll find yourself clenching your knees once in a while.
As with so many period novels my one complaint are the lack of footnotes or even any historical or character notes; as are found in Flashman. It's quite frustrating to have to look up on wiki to see whether the character or event is factual or fictional. I hope in the later series' or editions have some end-notes or background information.

4 out of 5 stars

I want Footnotes! May 21, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

It's increasingly rare to accidentaly (through the amazon reccomendations system) to suddenly discover a new author and fall in love with a new series. And this is one such book. As another reviewer has said, there are great similarities with Boris Akunin.
Naturally he does go on a bit about eunuch's and you'll find yourself clenching your knees once in a while.
As with so many period novels my one complaint are the lack of footnotes or even any historical or character notes; as are found in Flashman. It's quite frustrating to have to look up on wiki to see whether the character or event is factual or fictional. I hope in the later series' at least some notes or background information are given.

5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful March 3, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is one of the best, if not the best, book if read in the last months/years. The setting, the description of the city, characters, the interwoven history, just perfect. I look forward to the second `Yashim` mystery.