The Modern Novel

Biography

Orhan Pamuk was born in Istanbul in 1952. His father was a civil engineer and university teacher. He was one of a large family. When he was younger, he dreamed of being an artist but he graduated from the University of Istanbul in journalism, after having first studied architecture. He lived with his parents till his first novel was published when he was thirty. Neither this nor his second novel has been officially translated into English. However, he achieved great success with his third novel which has been translated into many languages, including English. His subsequent works have been extensively translated and established him as the leading living Turkish writer. He has taken a strong stand on Armenian and Kurdish genocide and rights, which has led to many threats against him in Turkey (see charges below). In 2006 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Other Links

Orhan Pamuk
Orhan Pamuk (from Nobel Prize site)
Orhan Pamuk
Profile: Orhan Pamuk
Orhan Pamuk (1952-)
Profile: Orhan Pamuk
Orhan Pamuk: A Novelist Where The Currents Cross
Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk receives Nobel Prize
His Nobel Prize lecture
My Turkish Library (Pamuk on his library)
The collector (Pamuk on his book collecting)
Interview
Interview
Interview
Orhan Pamuk reveals plot of his new book ‘The Card Players’
Interview
Interview
Interview

On the charges/threats against him

Writer repeats Turk deaths claim
On trial
Turkish writer faces imprisonment for ‘insulting Turkish identity’
EU blasts Turkish author’s trial
International PEN calls for government condemnation of attacks on author Orhan Pamuk
Pride and suspicion over Pamuk prize
Turk writer’s insult trial halted
Turkish court drops charges against novelist