The Museum Of Innocence is set in Istanbul, from 1975 to 1984. The book is an account of Kemal, a wealthy business man from a prominent family who is engaged to be married to Sibel, the daughter from another prominent family. Two months before the wedding, while buying a handbag for his fiance, Kemal meets the shop girl Fusun, who is also a distant relative. The following month and a half has the two in an intense emotional and physical relationship. Kemal experiences the happiest moments of his life while making love on the day Fusun confesses her love for him. Although it is obvious that Kemal feels the same way, he denies it to himself, believing that his marriage and affair could both last. His affair is brought to an abrupt end when Fusun disappears after attending his engagement. What follows is a year full of painful yet sweet memories and regrets during which he is forced to derive consolation from objects and places that remind him of his love. Fusun finally responds to his letters after he calls off the wedding. Fusun, now married, meets him as a distant relative. Kemal now frequents her house and these visits will go on for eight years. Finally, following the death of Fusun’s father, circumstances lead to the dissolution of Fusun’s marriage. What happens after this make the story.

The Museum Of Innocence explores the nature of romantic attachment. Is also describe the confusion of the upper middle class, caught in a period half traditional and half Western. This book was published by Faber in 2010 and is available in paperback.

Key Features:

• The book was originally written in the Turkish language. It was translated by Maureen Freely.
• The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum in Milan, Italy inspired Orhan Pamuk in the writing of this book.