Reşat Nuri Güntekin is a famous Turkish writer. He wrote many novels and plays, in which he raised the most important questions about human existence, love and friendship.
His book about love and betrayal, “Çalıkuşu,” brought him worldwide fame. However, Güntekin’s other books also deserve praise. Let me tell you more about this talented and influential writer. From my post, you would learn about his life and his literary works that you can read in English.
From Istanbul to Paris
Reşat Nuri was born on November 25, 1889, in Istanbul. According to some sources, his love for storytelling started early in his life. His father, Dr. Nuri Bey, was a medical doctor. Reşat Nuri attended primary school in Çanakkale and then studied literature at Istanbul University. He read many works of Turkish and Western writers. Both beautiful Istanbul and his education shaped him into who he was. Like Istanbul, he was a man with both European and Middle Eastern mindset.
After graduating from university, he worked as a teacher and administrator at high schools in Bursa and Istanbul, teaching literature, French, and philosophy. In 1931 he became an inspector at the Ministry of National Education and served as the deputy of Çanakkale in the Turkish Parliament. In 1947 Güntekin held positions as the chief inspector at the Ministry of National Education. In 1950 he moved to Paris and worked there as a cultural attaché and also represented Turkey in UNESCO.
Literary Career
Güntekin produced many novels, short stories, plays, and essays. His first novel, “Eski Ahbap” (Old Friend), was released in 1914 and received praise for its moving depiction of friendship and social change in Turkey. However, it was his most famous work, “Çalıkuşu” (The Wren), that made Güntekin a literary star in Turkey. “Çalıkuşu” tells the captivating story of a young woman who loved her cousin, was betrayed, lost her stepdaughter, and faced societal pressures as she traveled across Turkey in the late Ottoman era. Güntekin’s storytelling, rich character development, and beautiful writing made this novel timeless.Two TV series were based on this book. The characters from the series also became famous beyond Turkey.
But Güntekin’s literary works go beyond “Çalıkuşu.” In his novels, he explores themes like love, identity, tradition, and modernity. The writer depicts the lives of ordinary people. His keen observations of human nature and Turkish society have earned him praise as a prominent chronicler of his era.
Güntekin tells his stories through characters rather than using a third-person narrator. This makes his language simple and his plots easy to follow. He writes about the social events of his time and how they affect people. He gives readers guidance and hope. Because of this, Güntekin is often seen as a “social realist” writer.
Güntekin wrote a total of 100 works, which includes 19 novels and 7 collections of short stories.Here are some suggestions for what you can read to learn more about Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century:
Stories:
- Tanrı Misafiri (1927)
- Leylâ ile Mecnun (1928)
- Olağan İşler (1930)
Novels:
- Çalıkuşu (1922) (“The Wren” – translated as: “The Autobiography of a Turkish Girl”)
- Dudaktan Kalbe (1923) (“From the Lip to the Heart”)
- Akşam Güneşi (1926) (“Afternoon Sun”)
- Yeşil Gece (1928) (“The Green Night”)
- Acımak (1928) (“To Pity”)
- Yaprak Dökümü (1930) (“The Fall of Leaves”)
- Eski Hastalık (1938) (“That Old Sickness”)
- Değirmen (1944) (“The Mill”)
- Son Sığınak (1961) (“The Last Shelter”)
- Ateş Gecesi (1953) (“The Night of Fire”)
Theatre:
- Eski Rüya (1922) (“The Old Dream”)
- Ümidin Güneşi (1924) (“Hope’s Sun”)
- Gazeteci Düşmanı, Şemsiye Hırsızı (The Umbrella Thief), İhtiyar Serseri (1925, three works)
- İstiklâl (1933) (“Independence”)
- Yaprak Dökümü (1971) (“The Fall of Leaves”)
Legacy and Influence
Güntekin passed away in London while undergoing treatment for lung cancer. He is buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery in Istanbul.
His influence goes beyond literature; his novels have become part of Turkish culture through adaptations in TV, film, and theater. Güntekin strongly believed in the transformative power of literature. He received many awards for his contributions to Turkish literature, and his legacy continues to inspire readers worldwide.
Some Quotes From His Books
“Light brings suffering to sore eyes, while happiness brings pain to the wounded heart. Darkness serves as the best medicine for both sore eyes and wounded hearts”
“While the wound is hot, it doesn’t hurt, but once it cools down…”
“Isn’t a ray of light breaking into a dark dungeon, or a pathetic flower blooming among the stones near a destroyed wall, signs of life that bring hope and consolation to a person?”
“Poverty is the best school of life.”