Why does Orhan refer to his family's home as a museum? How does he feel about the decor of the various apartments? What is the significance of the large number of photos on display in every apartment?

Discuss Orhan's fantasy life. What kinds of things did he fantasize about as a child and later as an adult? Why were his daydreams so important to him, and what affect did they have on him?

Why does the author prefer the indoors to the outdoors? Winter to summer? Darkness to light?

Why is the Bosphorus River so important to the author? How does he compare and contrast the river to the city of Istanbul?

How was the author affected by his father's long absences when he was growing up? How were his mother's absences different from those of his father, and how did they affect him...