"[Karasu’s] refusal to be bound by the formal constraints of "The Novel" is meant to reflect his characters' refusal to be bound by the moral constraints of society as they confront their sexualities in a country that, though secular in government, is still largely Muslim in culture." — East Bay Express

Praise for Karasu’s Night:

"Beautifully done, this leaving behind of many of the normal devices of the novel enables Karasu to create a free-floating dystopia worthy of Kafka." — Booklist

". . . a deeply disturbing novel about politics, government, and the art of writing. . . . Karasu artfully evokes a Dantesque landscape . . . recommended for most collections." — Library Journal

Usually referred to as "the sage of Turkish literature," Bilge Karasu (1930–1995) is an influential reference point in the progress of Turkish fiction writing. A perfectionist, a philosopher, and a master of literary arts, he left behind a body of work, which, although intricately woven and at times obscure, skillfully outlines a world unmatched in its crystal clear transparency. The fact that he is labeled "the most difficult writer in the Turkish language" arises from his uncompromising loyalty to pure literature, which he described as a structure to be accomplished by a constant interaction between the writer and the reader.

During his lifetime, Karasu published collections of short stories, novels, and two books of essays. His novel, Night, was published in English translation by Louisiana State University Press in 1994 and was awarded the Pegasus Prize for Literature. Death In Troy is the second of his works to be translated into English. Another of Karasu’s novels, The Garden of Migrant Cats, will be published by New Directions in 2003.