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simplestyle's review against another edition
3.0
I came close to giving up on this book. Midway through, Kemal's laborious despair became unbelievable to me and I resorted to skimming through large sections of his obsessions over Fusün. Similarly, the extensive descriptions of minutiae in upper-class Turkish life were skipped.
Without those sections, the book became manageable and important. Fusün's story is one of captivity. She is kept from her dreams by tradition and jealous men who take ownership of women. Kemal is both the love of her life and her captor.
Whatever ounce of freedom she enjoys is at the discretion of either her parents, her husband, or Kemal. In the end, the only thing she secures on her own is her own premature death.
She dies in Kemal's car, ironically the same car he used to pursue her, driving over for dinner for eight years, teaching Fusun how to drive, and finally setting off for Europe. In the end, Kemal has so little respect for Fusun's wish that they not have sex until marriage that he takes advantage of her on the way to Paris, barely outside Istanbul.
As protagonist and narrator, it is difficult to sympathize with Kemal. He is obsessive, selfish, and repeatedly hurtful to women who care for him, first to Sibel, and then repeatedly to Fusun. As a man in Turkish society, his desires come first and foremost, and a woman's wants are agreeable only when they fit into his own. Fusun's dreams to become an actress are forced to lie in wait because of Kemal's jealousy. Most chapters of Fusun's life get dictated by Kemal and his interminable desire for her.
In the end, the book is an interesting, albeit rambling, look at Turkish upper-class culture during the 70s and 80s, and a powerful cautionary tale about gender power, desire, love, and obsession.
Without those sections, the book became manageable and important. Fusün's story is one of captivity. She is kept from her dreams by tradition and jealous men who take ownership of women. Kemal is both the love of her life and her captor.
Whatever ounce of freedom she enjoys is at the discretion of either her parents, her husband, or Kemal. In the end, the only thing she secures on her own is her own premature death.
She dies in Kemal's car, ironically the same car he used to pursue her, driving over for dinner for eight years, teaching Fusun how to drive, and finally setting off for Europe. In the end, Kemal has so little respect for Fusun's wish that they not have sex until marriage that he takes advantage of her on the way to Paris, barely outside Istanbul.
As protagonist and narrator, it is difficult to sympathize with Kemal. He is obsessive, selfish, and repeatedly hurtful to women who care for him, first to Sibel, and then repeatedly to Fusun. As a man in Turkish society, his desires come first and foremost, and a woman's wants are agreeable only when they fit into his own. Fusun's dreams to become an actress are forced to lie in wait because of Kemal's jealousy. Most chapters of Fusun's life get dictated by Kemal and his interminable desire for her.
In the end, the book is an interesting, albeit rambling, look at Turkish upper-class culture during the 70s and 80s, and a powerful cautionary tale about gender power, desire, love, and obsession.
ninakeller's review against another edition
5.0
I hated every minute of reading this book, but then could not stop thinking about it for weeks. The main character is a mysogonistic narcissist, and I despised him throughout his entire telling of his story. I hate him all over again just thinking about this book. Pamuk’s prose is stunning, the character development is extremely effective, and the themes throughout are enduring.
I had the pleasure of visiting the museum that resulted from this book (what a concept!) in Istanbul, and I especially enjoyed the diagram of anatomy with corresponding feelings, and that the butterfly earrings are for sale. The attention to detail is impressive.
I had the pleasure of visiting the museum that resulted from this book (what a concept!) in Istanbul, and I especially enjoyed the diagram of anatomy with corresponding feelings, and that the butterfly earrings are for sale. The attention to detail is impressive.
ririta's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wynnepei's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
4.0
A harrowing, intense, and at times difficult-to-read story of a man obsessed. The Museum of Innocence reminded me a lot of Wuthering Heights, with its star-crossed, unstable lovers who destroy everything around them and aren't even happy when they're together.
ashley_choo's review against another edition
2.0
An absolute slog to get through. A weird perverse love affair that made me feel icky throughout
dkberlin's review against another edition
5.0
So I'm not sure I would actually give this book five stars on its own. But having visited the physical Museum of Innocence in Istanbul while reading it, I would definitely give the experience of reading the book and visiting the museum top marks for originality and depth. Absolutely worth reading the book and seeing the Museum, should you find yourself headed to Istanbul.
essentiallyene's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
4.0
Pamuk is obviously a talented writer. I think I probably enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed Snow. Even though the main character is creepy at times and Fusun is somewhat hard to visualize, this still managed to hold my attention and kept me wondering what would happen next, despite the 700-plus page length. It's a well-written examination of obsession and desire with a very strong sense of place and atmosphere.