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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.
jdintr's review against another edition
5.0
Pamuk is a Nobel laureate who is at the top of his game in this novel. The way he tells a story is much the way a person might sew a shirt. With every new "stitch" of the novel, he pulls the thread long and clear, returning the needle very close to the original place.
This is why the chapters seem to loop out and return back to one another without progressing in a routine, chronological way. It can be confusing to a reader who is merely trying to get from Point A to Point B, but it is a luxurious way of writing--and for the attuned reader, it is exhilarating. This is how he can spend a chapter describing the way Fusun puts out her cigarettes, and another starting every sentence with the word, "sometimes," and yet another describing the odd habit of having a porcelain dog on top of the television.
The character of Kemal was truly offensive to me at the start. I found his actions to be selfish and repulsive. The beauty of The Museum of Innocence is the way the story begins with a loss of innocence, then slowly grows through an eight-year process of redemption, only to... well, I won't give the end away after all.
I find it ironic, though, that Kemal--in order to restore Fusun's sexual purity--resorts to another vice to tide him through the years: stealing. It is a wonderful literary touch, if one that is utterly lacking in verisimilitude.
This was my first book of summer break from school. It was a great way to kick off the break and it bodes well for more great reading to come.
This is why the chapters seem to loop out and return back to one another without progressing in a routine, chronological way. It can be confusing to a reader who is merely trying to get from Point A to Point B, but it is a luxurious way of writing--and for the attuned reader, it is exhilarating. This is how he can spend a chapter describing the way Fusun puts out her cigarettes, and another starting every sentence with the word, "sometimes," and yet another describing the odd habit of having a porcelain dog on top of the television.
The character of Kemal was truly offensive to me at the start. I found his actions to be selfish and repulsive. The beauty of The Museum of Innocence is the way the story begins with a loss of innocence, then slowly grows through an eight-year process of redemption, only to... well, I won't give the end away after all.
I find it ironic, though, that Kemal--in order to restore Fusun's sexual purity--resorts to another vice to tide him through the years: stealing. It is a wonderful literary touch, if one that is utterly lacking in verisimilitude.
This was my first book of summer break from school. It was a great way to kick off the break and it bodes well for more great reading to come.