“The Janissary Tree” is an Ottoman detective thriller reminiscent of Orhan Pamuk’s wonderful “My Name Is Red,” though Pamuk’s novel is far more complex. This novel is set in early 19th century Istanbul, ruled by Sultan Mahmut II. It is 1836 in Istanbul and Investigator Yashim Togalu, a eunuch in the employ of the seraskier (commander of Istanbul’s New Guard army) is presented with a problem: in ten days the seraskier’s New Guard is to be inspected by the Sultan, a young virgin in the Sultan’s harem has just been murdered, the jewels of the Ottoman queen mother have disappeared, and four soldiers have gone missing—one is quickly found bound, dead, and with face removed in a large tin cauldron, the other three are found throughout the book. There is symbolism afoot: between the 15th and 17th centuries the Sultan’s army of Janissaries had almost conquered Europe, nearly entering Vienna before retreating. But the later period of peace had converted the Janissaries to corruption and to activities competing with the Sultan. So in 1826 an edict disbanded the Janissary corps and replaced it with the New Guard, a western-style force. The Janissaries revolted, heralding their revolt by the simultaneous beating of their tin soup cauldrons. The novel is set at the tenth anniversary of that revolution, which ended in the massacre or exile of the Janissaries. “The Janissary Tree” is a worthwhile detective story, but its description of Ottoman history and culture makes it an unusually interesting read. Who would have thought that cooking was such a prized activity in Turkey, so much that the fierce Janissaries had military ranks like chief soup maker, baker, scullion, and so on? Who would have realized that the harem was such a highly structured and traditional institution in Ottoman life, far more than an elite brothel? Who would have known that the Ottoman economy was dominated by European-style medieval guilds that specified in exact detail the way a product was produced, limited the number of producers, and set prices for each product, thereby preventing competition among manufacturers? Who would have known the origins of the Sufi brand of Islam (the “whirling dervishes”) and of its emphasis on individual ecstasy (rather than the Koran alone) as a connection to Allah. So what we have is a good detective story and a mini-lesson on the Ottoman Empire, all cast in language that seems period appropriate. That’s worth five stars.
The setting of the The Janissary Tree> is fascinating: the novel takes place in 1836 in Istanbul, with the Ottoman empire on the cusp between tradition and the modernity that will ultimately destroy it. And the main character, Yashim, who is a eunuch, certainly provides a twist on the traditional detective! However, I can’t say that I loved the novel as a novel, rather than as a thinly veiled history lesson about a rather forgotten period in history. In fact, every character was ready to spout off pages of Ottoman history or the arrangement of the Sultan’s harem, at the drop of a hat, so that we, the readers, understood what was going on. But since they actually lived through these events, why would they spend so much time talking about them? That’s a completely unnatural, novelistic contrivance. As for Yashim himself, I never felt like I got to know him at all throughout the course of the novel – his two distinguishing characteristics (being a eunuch; being a good cook) defined him and we never saw any growth in the character. He would start to be angsty about having been, err, eunuch-ized, and then he’d suppress that angst and cook something and learn some more Ottoman history (plus his being a eunuch seemingly does not hinder him in the least in his affair with a beautiful lady whom he encounters during the course of his investigation. I am not 100% sure that Yashim would be physically capable of what he does… hmmm!). Lastly, the solution to the mystery was rushed and not very well thought out; I would have liked to know how the villain had managed to carry out some of his plans and who assisted him and the two separate mysteries that Yashim was supposed to be solving weren't very well-connected.Also, one small and completely infuriating thing is that Jason Goodwin keeps referring to the Janissaries as “Karagozi” Sufis, which is just bizarre, because he wrote an Ottoman history book and therefore undoubtedly knows that the Janissaries were followers of the Bektashi Sufis. Did he just not want to offend any existing religious group by using their name in a work of fiction? It constantly takes me out of the story!That said, I did like the setting a lot and the recipes were mouthwatering, so I'm giving it an extra star.
What do You think about The Janissary Tree (2007)?
Yashim, an investigator who can travel anywhere within the Ottoman Empire to solve murders, is the unlikely hero of this novel. Four officers of the new military disappear, bright intelligent young men all. When they turn up murdered in horrible ways Yashim finds the trail appears to lead to the Janissaries, a ruthless group of mercenaries who served as the empire's guards for four hundred years. Because he is a eunuch, he can even move within the sultan's harem if needed.Yashim must discover why the bodies are turning up in specific places. After searching maps and archives for the first fire towers Yashim determines that he is on the wrong track. He begins searching for traditional rooms used by the Janissaries for religious activities. In the process he has a stimulating sexual encounter with Eugenia, a beautiful Russian woman. And, he barely survives an attempt on his life in the public baths when he falls asleep and locked in a steam room where he is nearly cooked to death.The story is complex, winding, and ever changing. Each time Yashim believes he is on the right track, another clue is uncovered to enlarge the puzzle. As the story unfolds, the reader becomes fascinated with what is happening. And, what appears to be happening is only part of the story. Excellent read! I plan to read The Bellini Card, too.
—Rusty
Istanbul in 1836. A mix of Turkish, French, Russian, and other nationalities. The arrogant Janissaries, the elite Turkish troops who had taken over the city they were sworn to protect, had been almost annihilated ten years previously. Almost. Many had run and hidden from the massacre, and had slowly found there way back, taking menial jobs to avoid notice.Four members of the New Guard, which took the place of the Janissaries, have disappeared, and a body has turned up, the bones cooked clean. Are the Janissaries about to rise again? The Sultan gives the job of solving this crime to Yashim Togalu, a eunuch in his service.The book moves along, albeit rather slowly for my taste, but that is no doubt to give the reader the taste of Istanbul in the early 19th century. And what a taste! Bazaars, with their dazzling array of offerings, from fresh meat and fruit, to jewelry and fabrics; the smell combining humans, animals, food, and spices; people in robes and turbans; the many sounds of a bustling city. The roots of this mystery lead into the palace of Topkapi itself.
—Brett Bydairk
I'm glad I disregarded the unfavorable reviews of those who preceded me as readers. Mr. Goodwin is thorough as a researcher and obviously felt it important to his story to include the details of this period in Turkish history. I, for one, having read Suleiman the Magnificent and other books about the Ottoman Empire, think it vital for Westerners to understand the history of the Middle East.The Janissaries were the Sultan's right arm in the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and helped him retain his conquests of much of Europe and all of the Middle East for hundreds of years. During that time a certain mysticism became powerful in overcoming the basic ignorance of the common people. The point Mr. Goodwin makes is that an underlying homage to that philosophy remained even after it was supposed to have been destroyed in the 18th and 19th centuries.His book may well be an allegory of sorts about the current wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. When read from that perspective, this becomes a clever commentary on the present day.
—Susan Hirtz
