This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. My Name is Red

   

   Set in the late 16th century Ottoman Empire, this novel explores the conflict between East and West, tradition and innovation, through the lens of miniaturist painters. When a renowned artist is murdered, his colleagues must solve the mystery while grappling with the changes in their art brought about by the western Renaissance. This complex narrative intertwines love, art, religion, and power, offering a deep exploration of the struggles between old and new.

   The 1299th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Snow

   

   Set in the small city of Kars in northeastern Turkey, the novel follows a Turkish poet who has spent several years in political exile in Germany. He returns to Turkey during a time of political unrest, with tensions high between religious and secular factions. As he becomes embroiled in the turmoil, he also becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a beautiful woman. The city is cut off from the rest of the world by a relentless snowstorm, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel is a contemplation on love, faith, and the tensions between tradition and modernity.

   The 1536th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Black Book

   

   The novel focuses on a man searching for his wife in Istanbul, who disappeared without a trace. In his search, he discovers a secret, surreal world in the city and starts to understand his wife's involvement in political activism. The narrative is interwoven with stories from a column written by his wife's half-brother, which the protagonist believes may hold clues to her disappearance. The book is a complex exploration of identity, storytelling, and the role of literature in society.

   The 4120th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The Museum Of Innocence

   

   This novel delves into the obsessive love of Kemal, a wealthy Istanbulite, for Füsun, a distant relative and a shopgirl, which begins in 1975 and spans over 30 years. After a brief affair, Füsun marries another man, but Kemal's love remains unyielding. He starts collecting objects that remind him of his love for her, eventually creating a museum dedicated to their relationship. Set against the backdrop of Istanbul's changing society, the story explores themes of love, longing, class, and the power of memory, as Kemal's life becomes a testament to his unattainable desire, encapsulated within the walls of his museum.

   The 5291st Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Cevdet Bey And His Sons

   

   The novel follows the life of Cevdet Bey, a wealthy Muslim merchant in early 20th-century Istanbul, and spans across three generations of his family. It delves into their personal and societal struggles as they navigate the profound changes in Turkish society, from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to the rise of the Turkish Republic. Through the lens of Cevdet Bey and his descendants, the story explores themes of tradition, modernity, identity, and the impact of historical upheaval on individual lives and family dynamics.

   The 5719th Greatest Book of All Time

6. 6. The White Castle

   

   The novel explores themes of identity and duality through the story of a young Italian scholar who is captured by Ottoman pirates and taken to Istanbul, where he becomes the slave of a scholar who bears a striking resemblance to him. As they collaborate on various scientific and philosophical projects, their identities begin to blur, leading to a complex exploration of selfhood and the nature of understanding between cultures. The narrative delves into the fluidity of identity and the intricate relationship between the East and the West, ultimately questioning the essence of individuality and the possibility of truly knowing oneself or another.

   The 12023rd Greatest Book of All Time

7. 7. Istanbul

   Memories and the City

   

   The book offers a rich, introspective exploration of the city of Istanbul, blending personal memoir with cultural history. Through the author's eyes, readers are introduced to the city's unique character, shaped by its complex past and vibrant present. The narrative delves into the melancholic beauty of Istanbul, capturing its essence through vivid descriptions of its streets, architecture, and the Bosphorus. Interwoven with the author's own experiences and reflections, the book paints a portrait of a city caught between tradition and modernity, East and West, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and longing.

8. 8. The New Life

   

   The novel follows a young university student named Osman who becomes captivated by a mysterious book that promises a transformative new life. As he delves deeper into its pages, Osman embarks on a surreal and existential journey across Turkey, encountering a series of enigmatic characters and events that blur the line between reality and fiction. His quest leads him to question the nature of identity, love, and destiny, as he grapples with the profound impact of the book on his perception of the world and himself. Through this narrative, the story explores themes of obsession, the search for meaning, and the transformative power of literature.

9. 9. A Strangeness In My Mind

   Being the Adventures and Dreams of Mevlut Karataş, a Seller of Boza, and of His Friends, and Also a Portrait of Life in Istanbul Between 1969 and 2012 from Many Different Points of View

   

   Set against the vibrant backdrop of Istanbul, this novel intricately weaves the life story of Mevlut, a street vendor selling boza, a traditional Turkish drink, as he navigates the city's rapid transformation over four decades. Through Mevlut's eyes, readers experience the cultural and social shifts in Turkey, while exploring themes of love, ambition, and identity. His journey is marked by a deep sense of longing and introspection, as he grapples with the "strangeness" in his mind, reflecting on the choices he made and the life he yearned for. The narrative is a poignant exploration of the human condition, capturing the essence of a city and its people in flux.
10. 10. Nights Of Plague

    

    Set against the backdrop of a fictional Ottoman island in the early 1900s, this historical novel intricately weaves a tale of love, politics, and survival amidst the chaos of a deadly plague. As the island's residents grapple with the fear and uncertainty brought by the outbreak, tensions rise between the local authorities and the imperial powers, leading to a gripping exploration of human resilience and societal dynamics. The narrative delves into the complexities of identity, power, and the struggle for autonomy, painting a vivid picture of a community on the brink of transformation.

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11. 11. Os Jardins Da Memória

    

    In this evocative narrative, the protagonist embarks on a poignant journey through the labyrinth of his memories, exploring the intricate tapestry of his past. As he navigates the corridors of time, he encounters vivid recollections of love, loss, and longing, each memory a garden of emotions that shapes his identity. The story weaves together the delicate interplay between personal history and the broader cultural backdrop, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring power of memory and its role in defining who we are.

12. 12. The Naive And The Sentimental Novelist

    Understanding What Happens When We Write and Read Novels

    

    This insightful exploration delves into the dual nature of novel writing and reading, examining the contrasting perspectives of the "naive" and "sentimental" novelist. Through a series of lectures, the author reflects on the art of storytelling, the intricate relationship between the writer's imagination and the reader's perception, and the transformative power of fiction. By drawing on personal experiences and literary examples, the narrative offers a profound meditation on the creative process, inviting readers to reconsider their understanding of literature and its impact on human consciousness.

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13. 13. Silent House

    

    In a crumbling seaside house near Istanbul in the summer just before the 1980 military coup, three grandchildren visit their embittered grandmother, stirring layers of family memory and national history. Through shifting voices—including the matriarch, a disfigured servant, a weary historian, an ambitious teen, and a volatile nationalist—the narrative explores the clash of tradition and modernity, privilege and poverty, and polarized politics. Old secrets surrounding a late doctor’s grand secular project and domestic cruelty haunt the present, while youthful desire and fanaticism build toward a tragic act of violence that echoes a country on the brink.

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14. 14. The Red Haired Woman

    

    A teenage apprentice to a well‑digger on the outskirts of Istanbul falls under the spell of a mysterious red‑haired actress and, after a disastrous accident, abandons his mentor and the town. Years later, as a successful contractor, he is haunted by guilt and by the entwined myths of Oedipus and Rostam–Sohrab, which echo through his life of absent fathers, surrogate bonds, and the pull of fate. When he returns, buried secrets about a youthful affair and paternity resurface, culminating in a tragic reckoning that mirrors the stories that shaped him.

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