Orhan Pamuk shares insights about his middle-class upbringing in a family rich in culture and books, contrasting it with friends from different backgrounds.
He expresses the challenges of defining contemporary identity amid the struggle between modernity and tradition, a universal issue but more pronounced in post-colonial contexts.
Pamuk highlights the significance of Istanbul in his writing, describing it as a living repository of his memories, continuously shaping his narratives.
Drawing from his experiences, he acknowledges the risks of repression he faces but remarks on the privilege of being able to voice what many cannot.
Ultimately, he sees literature as a way to explore human character and emphasize shared humanity amidst oppression.