In the novel, the protagonist, Kemal, collects everything that his adored Fusun touches a thousand everyday objects that are assembled here.

WSJ: Dreaming in Ottoman: Istanbul at a Crossroads

Kemal slowly finds that his centre was by Fusun's side, rather as Mr Pamuk's fiction has recentred the world on his home city.

ECONOMIST: Orhan Pamuk

It depicts Kemal struggling with his ambitions to make the perfect society match, even though his desire for Fusun renders him impotent with Sibel.

ECONOMIST: Orhan Pamuk

Kemal's tale is told over raki to Mr Pamuk, who breaks cover to reveal his authorship (having also danced awkwardly with Fusun at Kemal's engagement party).

ECONOMIST: Orhan Pamuk