Turkish-British Author: Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British novelist, essayist, public speaker, political scientist, and activist.

Shafak writes in both Turkish and English and has published 19 books. She is renowned for her novels, including "The Bastard of Istanbul," "The Forty Rules of Love," "Three Daughters of Eve," and "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World." Translated into 55 languages, her works have earned nominations for numerous literary awards. The Financial Times has hailed her as "Turkey's leading female novelist," and several of her books have achieved bestseller status in Turkey and internationally.

Her literary works prominently showcase Istanbul, exploring themes of Eastern and Western culture, the roles of women in society, and human rights issues. Some politically sensitive topics addressed in her novels, such as child abuse and the Armenian genocide, have resulted in legal actions from Turkish authorities, leading Shafak to relocate to the United Kingdom.

With a PhD in political science, Shafak is not only a novelist but also an essayist and contributor to various media outlets. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, minority rights, and freedom of speech.

• The Bastard of Istanbul (2006): This novel explores family, identity, and the Armenian genocide. It follows the lives of two families, one Turkish and one Armenian, connected by a shared past

• The Forty Rules of Love (2009): This novel is a blend of historical fiction and contemporary narrative. It revolves around the life and work of the famous Sufi poet Rumi and his spiritual teacher Shams of Tabriz.

• Honour (2011): This book deals with themes of love, betrayal, and cultural conflict. It follows the story of a Turkish-Kurdish family living in Istanbul and London.

• The Architect's Apprentice (2014): Set in the Ottoman Empire, this novel explores the life of an elephant, Chota, and his young handler. The story is woven into the historical and cultural context of the time.

• 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World (2019): The novel follows the last moments in the life of a sex worker named Leila and reflects on her memories and connections with other people.

References;

1.  "Elif Shafak". Curtis Brown. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
2. Beard, Mary (21 August 2020). "How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division by Elif Shafak review – a poignant look back at another age". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
3. "Small talk: Elif Shafak". Financial Times. 18 February 2011. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
4. Freely, Maureen (13 August 2006). "Writers on Trial". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
5. Flood, Alison (31 May 2019). "Turkey puts novelists including Elif Shafak under investigation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
6. Finkel, Andrew. "Portrait of Elif Şafak". Turkish Cultural Foundation. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
7. Rustin, Susanna (6 December 2014). "Elif Shafak: 'I don't have the luxury of being apolitical'". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
8. Atayurt Fenge, Zeynep. "The Literary Encyclopedia". In Sandru, Cristina (ed.). Turkish Writing and Culture: Modern and Contemporary. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
9. "An analysis of Turkish modernity through discourses of masculinities / Türk moderleşmesi ve erkeklik söylemleri". Ulusal Tez Merkenzi. 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2022.

I highly recommend everyone who is in interest to watch this youtube video about Elif Shafak's TED talk;

The Revolutionary Power of Diverse Thought;

Thank you for reading!

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