Oğuz Atay was a pioneer of the modern novel in Turkey. His first novel, Tutunamayanlar (The Disconnected), appeared in 1971-72. It has been described as probably the most eminent novel of twentieth-century Turkish literature. He wrote several plays, short-stories, and a biography. He died of a brain tumor before he could complete his final great project Türkiye'nin Ruhu (The Spirit of Turkey).
