Chekhov's Mistress
Maureen Freely on Orhan Pamuk
Maureen Freely grew up in Istanbul and has translated several of Orhan Pamuk’s books, including Snow; his memoir, Istanbul: Memories and the City; and The Black Book, which is a new translation of his 1995 novel that was described as the one where he “found his voice.” I’m reading it now (when I find time in what has been 18 hour workdays) and am loving it.
Freely interviewed Pamuk last December for the latest issue of Granta, covering an array of topics, including the charges brought against him for ‘publicly denigrating Turkish identity.’ She offers illuminating background on the issue as well as a discussion with Pamuk on how the charges, death threats and political embroilment have affected his writing. He says:
“…But I know my imagination. I need certain things to write with some pleasure and intensity. If we leave aside paper and fountain pen, tea and coffee, what I need most is a certain irresponsibility. It is essential for writing fiction, at least for me: I need a playful irresponsibility, to twist everything in life, to turn situations around, to look for childish irony in the gravest drama, to organize the subtle ambiguities from which fiction arises. But now I’m expected to be clarifying, clarifying, clarifying my statements. This lost spirit of irresponsibility – this childish freedom – is what I’m hoping to gain back. Because the more this affair grows, the more social responsibility I have to face, and it is suffocating.”
Orhan Pamuk will be giving a lecture to kick off the Pen World Voices Festival next Tuesday that will be followed by a conversation with Margaret Atwood. I will be there along with a bunch of other litbloggers and we’ll be writing quite a bit about the festival at MetaxuCafé. I’ll post an announcement on that Monday.
comments
I have read three of Orhan Pamuk’s novels in as many months. It’s been three decades since I’ve read works that have transformed my life and my thinking so profoundly. I would like to tender those sentiments to Mr. Pamuk. Can you help me find his e-mail or mailing address? Thanx!
– James Dwyer (08/06 at 07:58 PM)
As a foreigner in Istanbul who lived a parallel life to Orhan Bey from 1952 I should welcome the opportunity to make email contact. Memories of my mother city are indelible but sadly distant.
– Rob Lawson (08/18 at 05:07 PM)
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About this Post
- Posted by: Bud Parr
- Date: April 21, 2006
- Filed Under:
Wise Men Fish Here: Literature
- Comments:2
- Links to this Post: Technorati
