- “My Name is Red” by Orhan Pamuk: Set in 16th-century Istanbul, this Nobel Prize-winning novel explores the world of Ottoman miniature painters and delves into themes of art, religion, and love.
- “The Museum of Innocence” by Orhan Pamuk: Another work by Orhan Pamuk, this novel vividly portrays Istanbul’s changing society through the story of Kemal and his obsession with his cousin, Füsun.
- “The Bastard of Istanbul” by Elif Shafak: This contemporary novel tells the story of two Turkish-American women, Asya and Armanoush, as they navigate their family histories and reconcile their identities against the backdrop of Istanbul.
- “Istanbul: Memories and the City” by Orhan Pamuk: Part autobiography, part love letter to Istanbul, this memoir takes readers on a personal journey through the author’s memories, chronicling the city’s historic and cultural transformations.
- “The Flea Palace” by Elif Shafak: Set in an apartment building in Istanbul, this novel weaves together the lives of its eccentric residents, providing a colourful and satirical depiction of the city and its inhabitants.
- “The Museum of Innocence” by Orhan Pamuk: Set in 1970s Istanbul, this novel explores the relationship between a wealthy businessman and his distant relative, unraveling secrets, desires, and the complexities of love.
- “Birds Without Wings” by Louis de Bernières: Although primarily set in a town in Anatolia, this novel delves into the lives of its characters, many of whom hail from Istanbul, capturing the dynamic history and culture of the city.
- “The Time Regulation Institute” by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar: Set in 1940s Istanbul, this satirical novel portrays the struggles of a man trying to establish a time regulation institute to discipline society and modernize Turkey.
- “The White Castle” by Orhan Pamuk: Set in 17th-century Istanbul, this historical fiction novel explores the themes of identity and cultural exchange between a Venetian slave and his Turkish master.
- “The Black Book” by Orhan Pamuk: This philosophical novel takes readers on a mysterious journey through Istanbul with the protagonist, Galip, who searches for his missing wife and navigates a web of identity and perception.
WANDERLIST: Ten famous novels set in Istanbul
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