Elif Shafak was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1971. She is an award-winning novelist whose books have been published in more than 40 countries and the most widely read female writer in Turkey. Critics have called her “one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Turkish and world literature” and the French Ministry of Culture recently recognised her achievements by declaring her a chevalier of the ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Elif has published thirteen books in total, nine of which are novels. She writes fiction in both Turkish and English and blends Western and Eastern traditions of storytelling, bringing out the myriad stories of women, youths, minorities, immigrants, subcultures and global souls. Her work draws on diverse cultural and literary traditions as well as her deep interest in history, philosophy, Sufism, oral culture and cultural politics. Elif’s writing breaks down categories, clichés and cultural ghettoes – she also has a keen eye for black humour.
Elif’s most recent book, Three Daughters of Eve, came out in September 2017.
Information valid as of autumn 2017.