by Orhan Pamuk
First published 2007
Ka, an exiled poet, returns to Turkey and travels to the remote city of Kars to report on a disturbing trend: young religious women are killing themselves after being banned from wearing headscarves. But Ka has another reason for making this journey. He hopes to reconnect with Ipek, a woman from his past who now lives in Kars and has recently divorced. Snow blankets the city as Ka arrives, and suspicion fills the air. Ipek's former husband watches Ka's every move. A dangerous terrorist leader takes interest in the visiting poet. Ka discovers that his long-lost ability to write poetry has suddenly returned. The tension builds toward a theatrical performance that ends in bloodshed. Ka must navigate between his desire for Ipek, his rediscovered faith, and the political forces swirling around him. He learns that finding God might mean sacrificing everything else he values.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, contemporary, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, redemption
Setting: Kars, Turkey
Period: contemporary
18 pages · Audio CD · Random House Audio
Content warnings: suicide