Orhan Pamuk's 'The Red-Haired Woman' is a profound novel exploring the complexities of identity, love, and fate in modern Turkey. It tells the story of Cem, a young man who, while working as an apprentice well-digger, becomes infatuated with a mysterious red-haired actress. Their encounter leads to a lifelong obsession, drawing him into a web of mythical parallels, particularly with the Oedipus legend and Persian epic 'Shahnameh'. Pamuk masterfully weaves together themes of father-son relationships, societal change, and the lingering power of ancient myths to shape contemporary lives, offering a unique reflection on Turkish society and the human condition.