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ayahefnawy5's review
3.0
3.5
Loved the idea, the unconventional narrators and the ending. What i didnt like mainly was that it could have been shorter.
Loved the idea, the unconventional narrators and the ending. What i didnt like mainly was that it could have been shorter.
noapathy's review
4.0
While I am a little fearful of doing injustice to writing as beautiful and imaginative as My Name is Red is by Orhan Pamuk, I have a painful pinched nerve in my neck and really shouldn’t be sitting in front of a computer at all, let alone spending forever trying to find the right words for this post. So first, please forgive me. Second, go read this book.
Although it’s billed as a murder-mystery and love story, what I loved was going back in time to 16th century Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire and getting a taste of the culture, as well as the political alliances and rivalries of the time. Even better, the novel centers around a group of artists, known as miniaturists and illuminators. Upon being confronted with the ideas behind Western European art — which attempts to depict reality and individualism through the use of perspective, among other techniques — they struggle with the worldview of their own art form. Traditionally, they have seen themselves as charged with portraying the world as Allah sees it, not as man sees it. Anything else would undermine their artistic and religious traditions, and this conflict is what drives the entire narrative. The clash between the need to create art and to believe in a God is utterly fascinating and a bit reminiscent of My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, which I also loved.
I won’t say too much more about the narrative itself, except that the glorious descriptions of color and detail really made me want to be able to see their work!
Although it’s billed as a murder-mystery and love story, what I loved was going back in time to 16th century Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire and getting a taste of the culture, as well as the political alliances and rivalries of the time. Even better, the novel centers around a group of artists, known as miniaturists and illuminators. Upon being confronted with the ideas behind Western European art — which attempts to depict reality and individualism through the use of perspective, among other techniques — they struggle with the worldview of their own art form. Traditionally, they have seen themselves as charged with portraying the world as Allah sees it, not as man sees it. Anything else would undermine their artistic and religious traditions, and this conflict is what drives the entire narrative. The clash between the need to create art and to believe in a God is utterly fascinating and a bit reminiscent of My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, which I also loved.
I won’t say too much more about the narrative itself, except that the glorious descriptions of color and detail really made me want to be able to see their work!
mabanero's review
DNF. I don't care for books that have a new perspective every chapter and only a loosely connected story thread.
humito's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gabrielsevilla7's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
illaltic99's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This is one of the best books I've read in my life by far.
kimmerbellum's review
4.0
Finally finished reading this fascinating story. Beautifully written with a lovely mix of lyricism, humour and pathos, not to mention it portraying a culture and time in history that is intriguing and captivating. And being a murder mystery, plenty to keep you wondering! It's not fast paced, but a most enjoyable exploration.
dejnozkova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5