10 Must Read Books by Turkish Authors

If you also want to quench your thirst for Turkish literature, here are the 10 best books by Turkish authors you must not miss out on.

#1 The Bastard of Istanbul (2006) by Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak is already well-known among the readers, especially by the popularity of one of her bestsellers, Forty Rules of love. ‘The Bastard of Istanbul’ is Elif Shafak’s another literary contribution based on a teenage girl, Asya (with the title of the bastard), and her Armenian American cousin, Armanoush.

Visit the link below to purchase “The Bastard of Istanbul”

#2 The Time Regulation Institute (1954) by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar

It was not until 2014 that the comic masterpiece, The Time Regulation Institute, got translated into English for international readers. The best part is that it has been occupying its spot among the best books by Turkish authors since then. The novel takes a satirical approach towards the westernization of the country.

One thing you need to know about the author is that his colleague, Orhan Pamuk hails him as the ‘greatest Turkish novelist of the 20^th century.’

Visit link to purchase “The Time Regulation Institute” By Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar

#3 My Name is Red (1998) by Orhan Pamuk

Benim Adım Kırmızı which translates into ‘My Name is Red’ is a gem of a book by the famous Turkish novelist, Orhan Pamuk. The book got translated into English in 2001 and is one of the best books by Turkish authors.

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#4 Forbidden Love (1986) by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil

Aşk-ı Memnu (Turkish) or Forbidden Love is a novel you can finish in one sitting. Why am I so certain? Well, it is because of the drama and action of one of Turkish literary history’s most popular love stories.

An interesting fact about the novel is that it has made its way to television series twice (1975 and 2008). The 2008 version broke the rating records in Turkey and garnered much praise in other countries. One of the countries is Pakistan, where the TV series got dubbed in Urdu (country’s national language) with the title, Ishq-e-mamnu.

If you are into drama, action, and romance, Forbidden Love is one of the best books by Turkish authors whose brilliance still remains unbeaten by these TV series.

Visit link to purchase Aşk-ı Memnu (Turkish)

#5 Istanbul Boy: The Autobiography of Aziz Nesin (1991)

If you are not yet familiar with Aziz Nesin, here is a little insight into his life. He has written over 100 books, spent years in jail because of his political views, and yet made his way into a decent living through his work. If this is something you are interested in, you must consider Istanbul boy as one of the best books by Turkish authors.

Istanbul Boy: The Autobiography of Aziz Nesin, Part Iii, Yokusun Basi (Modern Middle East Literature in Translation Series)
by Aziz Nesin | Jan 1, 1991

Istanbul Boy: The Path: The Autobiography of Aziz Nesin (Middle East Monograph: No. 7)
by Aziz Nesin and Joseph S. Jacobson | Dec 1, 1979

Istanbul Boy Middle School Years : The Autobiography of Aziz Nesin, Part IV, Translated by Joseph S. Jacobson
by Aziz Nesin | Sep 20, 2000

Istanbul Boy: Boyle Gelmis Boyle Gitmez (That’s How It Was But Not How It’s Going to Be) the Aut (Middle East Monographs: No. 3)
by Aziz Nesin and Joseph S. Jacobson | Jan 1, 1977

#6 Memed, My Hawk (1955) by Yasar Kemal

Let’s consider the work of a Nobel Prize nominee, Yasar Kemal, among the best books by Turkish authors. ‘Memed, My Hawk’ revolves around the story of a young village boy, Memed, and his love, Hatche.

Following the events of cruelty by landowners and the plot of revenge, the book is a lyric-epic of rural Turkey and one of the top-notch books by Turkish authors.

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#7 Three Daughters of Eve (2016) by Elif Shafak

Here comes a personal favorite, Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak. The author never fails to amaze her readers with her powerful grip over penning down her thoughts.

Three Daughters of Eve is connected with three topics that remain close to the author; female friendship (gender), Muslim identity (identity), and the state of Turkey (nationality).

About the novel, you will get to visit the 1980’s era of Turkey and the Oxford University in the early 2000s. In a word, the novel is one of the books by Turkish authors that has been loved by millions across the borders.

Visit link to purchase “Three Daughters of Eve” by Elif Safak

#8 The Time of Mute Swans (2017) by Ece Temelkuran

This is a relatively recent publication by Temelkuran told through the eyes of two children, Ali and Ayşe. The book resonates between history and fiction with a leftist approach. If you share similar ideas, then this book is something you would thoroughly enjoy reading.

The author is a famous Turkish journalist who is critical of the Turkish government (which is still in power as I write).

Find “The Time of the Mute swans” here

#9 Madonna in a Fur Coat (1943) by Sabahattin Ali

Since its publication in 1943, Kürk Mantolu Madonna or Madonna in a Fur Coat has consistently occupied the slot of one of the best books by Turkish authors.

If you are into tragedy and a darker side of modern Turkish fiction, this novel is the one for you.

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#10 Night (1985) by Bilge Karasu

Just so you know, the book under discussion is the winner of the Pegasus Prize for Literature. The prestigious recognition is enough to raise your expectations, and rightfully so.The story is about a writer who has been marked for assassination. In short, it is a political parable you would absolutely fall in love with.

Source: https://turkmemes.com/top-10-must-read-books-by-turkish-authors/