Ayşe Kulin

About

Ayşe Kulin (born 1941) is a Turkish novelist, biographer, and screenwriter, widely regarded as one of Turkey’s most popular contemporary authors. Born in Istanbul, she studied at the American College for Girls and began her career working in journalism before moving into television, film production, and screenwriting. Her experience across different forms of storytelling has informed her vivid, character-driven novels, many of which explore the relationship between personal lives and historical events. Kulin has written numerous bestselling novels and biographies, often addressing Turkey’s complex history, social divisions, and cultural identity. Her novel Last Train to Istanbul (Nefes Nefese) was first published in Turkish in 2002 and later translated into English. The book draws on historical accounts of Turkish diplomats who helped Jewish refugees escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Her other notable works include Sevdalinka, about the Bosnian War, and Farewell, set during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Kulin has also served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in Turkey.