Of course in Turkey I'm seen as being on the 'Western' side, criticised by the nationalists, criticised by the communitarians as not belonging. Even, sometimes, criticised for looking at my country through Western eyes. And in the Western media I'm portrayed as belonging to the East.

True literature is more than just a story someone has told. It must provide the reader with the essence of the world on a moral, philosophical and emotional level.

I believe strongly in an author's moral responsibility. But his first obligation is to write good books.

Morality is probably the last thing one can learn from football.

My religion is complicated. Literature is my true religion. After all, I come from a completely non-religious family.

I want to describe the psychological state of the people in a certain city.

Actually, it's the other way round. In a poor country, the only consolation people can have is the one that comes from their beliefs.