Autobiographies of Orhan Pamuk: The Writer in His Novels

Utah Series in Turkish and Islamic Studies

De: Michael McGaha

Narrado por: Meryem Mulac

Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk is a prominent voice in Turkish literature, speaking to the country’s history, culture, and politics. In 2006, he became the first Turkish writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Autobiographies of Orhan Pamuk is the first book-length study of the life and writings of Pamuk. It provides both a historical and cultural context that will help listeners better understand and appreciate both the man and his work. It begins with a brief biography, outlines Pamuk’s contributions to Turkish literature and history, examines how his art has evolved over the past 30 years, and discusses some of the writers who provided inspiration. Though his books deal with specifically Turkish issues, like all great literature, the themes they explore are universal. In addition to a thorough analysis of his seven published novels, including Snow and My Name is Red, an entire chapter is devoted to his first two novels, Cevdet Bey and Sons and The Silent House, which have yet to be translated into English.

©2008 University of Utah Press (P)2021 University of Utah Press

A thorough look at the author and his work

Considering this work emanates from academia, it is surprisingly accessible to the casual listener. In addition to explorations of some of Pamuk's earlier works, it devotes significant time to the author's battles with the Turkish government, which has plagued him with multiple legal actions. As this audiobook makes clear, these have been inspired more by his interviews with the foreign press than his fiction work.

Though the audio quality here doesn't quite meet today's standards – especially in the beginning – the listener will quickly forget about this in favor of the rich and detailed story being woven, and through the strength of Meryem Mulac's narration. For those new to Pamuk and the nuance of Turkish politics and society, her warm, friendly tone and smooth narration are extremely comforting.