Istanbul: Memories and the City (Vintage International) Paperback – 11 July 2006

Fascinating history of the city and brilliant read of the author's complex childhood

Istanbul: memories of city by Orhan Pamuk; interesting personal recollections of a city which suffered collective melancholy after its loss of empire. It became poor and all its old wooden houses were burned down and replaced with ghastly concrete buildings as it tried to Westernize. Whole generations of families lived in the same multistorey houses and the city became bigger and bigger. The book was an interesting jaunt down memory lane, more poignant for those who know something of the modern city.

This shouldn’t work so well but it’s a fascinating read. What could be a banal description of his home city is brought alive by the way he finds beauty in the familiar and his very readable turn of phrase.

Quite self indulgent at times although the atmosphere of old black and white Istanbul is conveyed. Certainly not my favourite book.

Bought as a present. Nice hardbook book…and well written by Nobel prize winner.Great for people interested in old Istanbul, its history and Pamuks memories of his childhood.

An excellent introduction to Istanbul, especially its evolution from the 1930s to the 2000s - focusing on the years of Pamuk's childhood and adolescence in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.Having visited Istanbul in February 201, I wanted to try to get to the heart of this great city. Pamuk's book took me a long way in and made me want to read his novels. It was also a touching personal history.Strongly recommended to anyone with a yen to understand Istanbul and its people.

Exactly what you'd expect from Pamuk. Leaves you wishing you'd been able to visit the Istanbul of his childhood/ youth.

I loved this book when I read it in paperback and I am rereading it again on my kindle. I can see why he loves Istanbul so much. I spent four days there last May and I cannot begin to describe how awesome I found it even though there had been some demonstrations. I was overwhelmed by the Bosphoros and understood why he waxed so lyrically about it in his book.