Elif Şafak

Biography

Elif Şafak is a Turkish-British novelist, essayist, and public speaker, born on October 25, 1971, in Strasbourg, France. She is one of Turkey's most prominent contemporary writers, having written 21 books that connect Eastern and Western literary traditions. Writing in both Turkish and English, Şafak's works have been translated into nearly sixty languages, making her one of the most internationally known Turkish authors of her generation.

Şafak studied at Middle East Technical University in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and later pursued a PhD in political science. Her studies in political science have deeply influenced her writing, and she often addresses social and political issues in her work. Her novels frequently focus on Istanbul as a cultural crossroads, exploring themes of identity, exile, women's roles in society, and human rights.

Some of her most acclaimed works include 'The Bastard of Istanbul,' 'The Forty Rules of Love,' 'Three Daughters of Eve,' '10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World,' and 'The Island of Missing Trees.' These novels have become bestsellers both in Turkey and internationally, with the Financial Times calling her 'Turkey's leading female novelist.' Her willingness to engage with controversial topics like child abuse and the Armenian genocide has sometimes put her at odds with Turkish authorities, leading to her move to the United Kingdom.

Outside of her writing, Şafak actively advocates for women's rights, minority rights, and freedom of speech. She regularly contributes to various media outlets as an essayist and is a sought-after public speaker on cultural identity and social justice. Her advocacy has earned her international recognition, including being named to BBC 100 Women in 2021 and receiving the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. In December 2025, she became president of the Royal Society of Literature, taking over from Bernardine Evaristo. She is married to Eyüp Can Sağlık.