Aparna Andhare

1. It started with a novel— as most amazing adventures do. I love Orhan Pamuk and my favourite novel is, without a doubt, The Museum of Innocence.

​

2. All my favourite themes converge in the Museum of Innocence— writing, nostalgia, the allure of objects and conflicted romance. The collection of ideas becomes tangible, as the book transforms into a physical space, into an actual museum, tucked away in a lane of Istanbul. I made a short stopover in the city only to visit a beloved novel.

 

3. To prepare for my trip, i had re-read this massive book, carrying it with me all over England, where it was caught in unexpected rain more than once. I also attended a talk by Pamuk, and showed him my weather-beaten copy, which amused him, I think. I was excited, but a little anxious, never having ‘met’ a novel. This was more nerve-wracking than a first date. On a fall afternoon, I turned the corner and was at the Museum of Innocence, the only visitor, given free entry because I came with the book.

​

4. It was glorious— true to the book. I walked up to the top slowly, lost in words, remembering passages, revisiting some. There were things I had missed and some I had forgotten- everything came rushing back. The book and the museum were magnificent.

 

5. I had a flight to catch and on the plane there was only one thing I wanted: ice cold Raki, drunk in silence.