Set in Istanbul during the early Republic, the novel follows an introspective man whose unfulfilled loves and recollections of the past unfold against a city in transition; through his quiet longing, encounters with others, and frequent reveries the narrative meditates on time, memory, identity and the elusive pursuit of inner peace amid the social and cultural upheavals of modern life, rendered in lyrical, elegiac prose.

Set in the early 20th century, this satirical novel follows the life of Hayri Irdal, a man who finds himself entangled in the absurdities of modernity and bureaucracy in a rapidly Westernizing society. Through his involvement with a peculiar institution designed to regulate time and synchronize clocks, the narrative explores themes of identity, tradition, and the clash between Eastern and Western values. With a blend of humor and poignancy, the story delves into the complexities of cultural transformation and the human desire for order amidst chaos.