Post Grad Book #1

Dervishes by Beth Helms
Finished: June 22, 2010
Page Count: 312

Why I read it:
The cover was shiny, the title piqued my interest and I liked what the inside flap said.

Publishers' Weekly Review/Synopsis:
Helms's mesmerizing debut novel (after story collection American Wives) takes readers to Ankara, Turkey, in the mid-1970s, where 12-year old Canada lives with her mother, Grace, and her father, Rand, whose intelligence career is shrouded in secrecy and sends the family to far-flung locales. By the time they're posted to Ankara, Canada is grappling with the inevitable insecurities and yearnings of puberty, and Grace feels trapped in a loveless marriage. Even when Rand is home, he shows little interest in domestic affairs, leaving Grace mainly to socialize with other Western expatriates and a small circle of wealthy Turks. Partly as a consequence of having lived so long in a world of secrets and cover stories, Grace hasn't learned how to relate to people (or how to let them relate to her), while Canada is mired in her own parallel, secretive universe of cruel adolescence. Helms uses dazzling imagery to mine the cultural and economic divides between the diplomatic enclaves and Turkish Ankara, as well as the chasm between Canada and Grace, which widens as they seek validation outside their home, with unforeseen consequences. Elegant prose and exacting insight illuminate Helms's tale of intrigue and deception.

What I thought:
It's taken me about a week and a half to read this.  At first, I was incredibly intrigued and couldn't put it down.  As I got further in, I found myself skimming pages.  It was beautifully written and I really felt like I was there in Turkey with these characters.  However, at times it was overwhelming and hard to read.  I liked the way each chapter switched perspectives between Canada, the young girl, and her mother Grace.  The book talked of lavish parties and life as an army wife in the 70s when Grace's husband was often out on assignment for weeks at a time.  The time period in such a country was interesting to me and as my sister so smartly said this afternoon "You don't see many books about Turkey."  She makes a valid point.  It was good and I would recommend it if you are the kind of reader that sits and really reads everything carefully- I think I missed a lot by skimming as the storyline was complex and a lot seemed to be going on.