Ayşegül Savaş on Smugness and Creativity
Ayşegül Savaş discusses her story "Many Worlds," which explores the themes of smugness and creativity through the experiences of a Turkish couple, Defne and Mete. The narrative unfolds as they encounter their former American housemate, Aleksi, prompting reflections on their past and present selves. Savaş emphasizes how smugness can hinder artistic exploration and the importance of remaining open to new perspectives.
- ▪The story features a Turkish couple, Defne and Mete, who reconnect with their former housemate Aleksi in Istanbul.
- ▪Savaş highlights the theme of smugness as an obstacle to creativity and personal growth.
- ▪The narrative is primarily told from Defne's perspective, revealing her internal conflicts and certainties.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
This Week in FictionAyşegül Savaş on Smugness and CreativityThe author discusses her story “Many Worlds.”By Cressida LeyshonMay 24, 2026Illustration by The New Yorker; Source photograph by Maks OvsjanikovSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyThis interview was featured in the Books & Fiction newsletter, which delivers the stories behind the stories, along with our latest fiction. Sign up to receive it in your inbox.This week’s story, “Many Worlds,” is about a young Turkish couple, Defne and Mete, who met as graduate students in California and are now back in Istanbul. By chance, they run into their former American housemate, Aleksi, who now looks so dishevelled that Defne mistakes him for a homeless man.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The New Yorker.
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