Through one man’s journeys around a vibrant city, Orhan Pamuk asks what matters more in life: what we wish for, or what fate has in store? Translated by Ekin Oklap.
At a wedding, Mevlut catches sight of a girl and promptly falls in love. After a secret courtship of letters, they elope to Istanbul. Almost immediately, Mevlut realises he has made a mistake. But it’s too late now. Over the next four decades, he works various jobs on the city streets, witnessing all of the transformative moments, political clashes, and military coups that shape the country. And every evening he sells his wares on the streets, part of the city but always a stranger in his mind.
About the Author
Orhan Pamuk is the author of many celebrated books, including The White Castle, Black Book, Istanbul and Snow.About the Translator
Ekin Oklap was born in Izmir, Turkey, and grew up in Italy.