About this book
Allan Ramsay's Told in the Coffee House transports listeners to the bustling coffee houses of Constantinople, where timeless tales unfold amid clouds of nargileh smoke and spirited conversation. Drawing from his personal visits to these intimate gathering spaces, Ramsay captures the distinctive art of Turkish storytelling—a tradition where wisdom keepers settle neighborhood debates through carefully crafted narratives that reveal the heart of Ottoman culture.
This collection of short stories blends the rich literary heritage of Arabic and Persian traditions with the unique Turkish perspective, offering readers a window into the customs, philosophies, and ways of thinking that defined a civilization. Each tale carries the authenticity of oral tradition, preserved with literary care and presented in accessible English. The stories showcase how the Turkish mind transforms familiar narratives into something altogether new, infusing them with local color and cultural insight.
Ideal for listeners fascinated by Middle Eastern literature, cultural history, and the timeless power of storytelling, this audiobook offers more than entertainment—it's an invitation into a vanished world where conversation and narrative were the heart of community life. Perfect for those seeking authentic cultural perspectives and classical tales with genuine historical depth.
