Alev Alatlı

Alev Alatlı was born on 16 September 1944 in Menemen, İzmir, Turkey. She spent her childhood in Japan due to her father's military appointment. She attended the American School in Japan and later studied economics at Middle East Technical University in Turkey. She pursued postgraduate studies in Development Economics and Econometrics at Vanderbilt University in the USA on a Fulbright Scholarship. Alatlı also enrolled in doctoral studies in philosophy of religion and philosophy of history at Dartmouth College. Upon returning to Turkey, she worked as a lecturer at Istanbul University and as an economist at the State Planning Organization. In 1982, she began her full-time writing career. Her first book was a philosophical study, followed by novels, including "Yaseminler Tüter mi Hala?" and a series called "Or'da Kimse Var mı?". She also translated works by Edward Said and was recognized for her contributions to literature and intellectual discourse. Alatlı received the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Award in 2014. She passed away on 2 February 2024 in Istanbul at the age of 79.