This introduction to A Geocritical Reading of Istanbul examines the representation of Istanbul through the lens of geocriticism, focusing on the dynamic relationship between space, literature, and cultural identity. By drawing on theoretical principles such as multifocalization, polysensoriality, stratigraphy, and intertextuality, the study analyzes how Istanbul is constructed as a literary space in relation to East–West dichotomies, memory, history, and imagination. Particular attention is given to Orhan Pamuk’s works, in which the city emerges not merely as a setting but as an active narrative agent shaped by political, social, and cultural transformations. The study argues that Istanbul functions as a “Ville imaginaire,” where real and imagined geographies intersect, producing multiple and often conflicting urban images. Through a geocritical approach, the article demonstrates how literary texts contribute to the understanding of Istanbul as a complex space that reflects both local experiences and global literary circulation.