I believe that it isn't victories but defeats that promote nationalism.

Hüzün does not just paralyze the inhabitants of Instanbul, it also gives them poetic license to be paralyzed.

The thing that binds us together is that we have both lowered our expectations of life

Nationalism stems from catastrophes, whether they are caused by earthquakes or lost wars.

[N]othing is as surprising as life. Except for writing. Except for writing. Yes, of course, except for writing, the only consolation.

I was at the end of my tether when my first book was published. For eight years I didn't make a penny, I worked so hard, didn't drink, didn't enjoy life.

I don’t like to make strong statements. I want to write strong novels … I keep my deep radical things for my novels.