Leylâ Erbil (1931-2013), a pioneering Turkish modernist, developed experimental literary techniques that challenged conventional Turkish syntax. Her most accomplished work, "What Remains" (2011), explores Istanbul's stones through experimental verse. Erbil invented unique punctuation called "Leylâ signs" and often wrote autobiographically, blending personal narrative with political and historical trauma.

Initially dismissed as eccentric and self-indulgent, Erbil's work gained recognition as a trailblazing experimentalist in Turkish literature. Her masterpiece "A Strange Woman" (1971) established her as a pioneer of Turkish autofiction. Erbil's revolutionary approach to narrative structure and her willingness to explore taboo subjects positioned her as a vital voice in Turkish literary history.

The narrator in "What Remains" perceives Istanbul through layers of history and erasure, where stones become monuments to past atrocities. Erbil's work demonstrates how personal experiences can intersect with collective trauma, creating a new form of literature that transcends traditional boundaries. Her innovative prose style continues to influence contemporary Turkish writers seeking to blend personal and political narratives.