Letters from Turkey by Kelemen Mikes

Translated from Hungarian by Bernard Adams
English Edition of Törökországi levelek (First Published in 1794)

Product Information

• Title: Letters from Turkey
• Author: Kelemen Mikes
• Translator: Bernard Adams
• Format: Paperback
• Publication Year: 2016
• ISBN-13: 9789631363371
• ISBN-10: 9631363376
• Pages: 328
• Publisher: Corvina Kiadó – Corvina Books
• Language: English
• Category: Memoirs, Historical Literature, Epistolary Writing

Overview

Letters from Turkey is a captivating collection of epistolary writings by Kelemen Mikes, a Hungarian nobleman and writer, who spent decades in exile in Turkey following the defeat of Prince Francis II Rákóczi’s anti-Habsburg uprising. Originally written in the 18th century and first published in 1794 as Törökországi levelek, this masterpiece is often considered the first significant work of Hungarian prose literature.

Through a series of fictional letters addressed to an imaginary aunt, Mikes vividly describes life in exile in Rodosto (modern-day Tekirdağ, Turkey). His reflections cover a wide range of topics, from everyday life and Turkish customs to philosophical musings and political observations. This English translation by Bernard Adams brings Mikes’s rich storytelling and historical insights to a broader audience.

Product Features

• Classic Hungarian Literature: A foundational work in Hungarian literary history.
• Historical & Cultural Insights: Offers a firsthand account of 18th-century Ottoman Turkey from a European exile’s perspective.
• Engaging Epistolary Format: Written as a series of letters, blending history, humor, and personal reflection.
• High-Quality Translation: Faithfully rendered into English by Bernard Adams.
• Accessible Paperback Edition: Ideal for historians, literature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in Hungarian-Ottoman history.

Interesting Facts

Kelemen Mikes: A Hungarian in Exile

Mikes was a devoted follower of Prince Francis II Rákóczi and followed him into exile after the failed Hungarian War of Independence (1703–1711). He lived the rest of his life in Rodosto, never returning to his homeland.

A Blend of Fact and Fiction

While the letters are addressed to an imaginary aunt, they provide an authentic reflection of Mikes’s personal experiences and thoughts on life in exile.

A Work Ahead of Its Time

Often compared to Montesquieu’s Persian Letters, Mikes’s work offers a unique perspective on cross-cultural experiences, making it one of the earliest examples of modern Hungarian prose.

Publishers

Published by Corvina Kiadó – Corvina Books, a well-known publisher specializing in Hungarian history, culture, and literature. This 2016 edition makes Mikes’s influential work more accessible to an international audience.

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