Oğuz Atay

Oğuz Atay (12 October 1934 – 13 December 1977) was a Turkish novelist and engineer. His first novel, ('The Disconnected'), appeared in 1971–72. Never reprinted in his lifetime and controversial among critics, it has become a best-seller since a new edition came out in 1984. It has been described as "probably the most eminent novel of twentieth-century Turkish literature".

Life Oğuz Atay was born on 12 October 1934, in the Turkish town of İnebolu, in the province of Kastamonu. His father, , was a judge and also a Member of Parliament from the Republican People's Party. He went to elementary and middle school in Ankara, completed his high school education at Ankara Maarif Koleji, and his undergraduate degree at ITU School of Civil Engineering. He joined Istanbul State Engineering and Architecture School (now, Yildiz Technical University) as a faculty member, and became an associate professor in 1975.

His most notable novel was published in 1971–72, and his second novel was published in 1973. He wrote several plays, short-stories, and a biography. He died of a brain tumor on 13 December 1977, before he could complete his final project.

Works The literary works are now all published by Iletişim. ('Topography') (1970, a textbook for students of surveying) (1971–72) – (novel, 'The Disconnected') (1973) – (novel, 'Dangerous Games') (1975) – (biographical novel, 'The Life of a Scientist': Mustafa İnan) (1975) – (short stories, 'Waiting for the Fear') English translation by Ralph Hubbell (New York Review Books, 2024). (play, 'Those Who Live by Games') (diary, published with a facsimile of the manuscript) (unfinished fiction, 'Science of Action') What he had hoped would be his magnum opus, ('The Spirit of Turkey'), was cut short by his death. It is not known what form he intended for it.

Since the publication of many Turkish novelists have broken away from traditional styles, first the slightly older writer Adalet Ağaoğlu, then others including Orhan Pamuk and Latife Tekin.