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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This is, in every sense of the word, a Byzantine novel. It's a love story, a murder mystery, a history of painting and illustration during the golden age of Islam and of the Ottoman Empire, a story about stories, and a tale about the telling of tales. I learned a lot about Islamic culture and folklore from this novel, and I had a good time while learning.
This is, in every sense of the word, a Byzantine novel. It's a love story, a murder mystery, a history of painting and illustration during the golden age of Islam and of the Ottoman Empire, a story about stories, and a tale about the telling of tales. I learned a lot about Islamic culture and folklore from this novel, and I had a good time while learning.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Definitely worth the time it takes to read. Boxes within boxes, love stories, theories of art and belief, and a murder mystery. The mystery - who killed Elegant and why?- is the frame for what the book is really about: the tensions between East and West, Eastern and Western beliefs, philosophy and base human nature, and the import and influence of individuality. Brilliantly done with a winking sense of humor, and beautifully translated.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is 1591, Istanbul. A group of miniaturists are commissioned by the Sultan to create a book illustrating the grandeur and magnificence of his realm. When one of the miniaturists working on the book is murdered, the rest become suspects.
My Name is Red is narrated by the different characters and tells a story about love, the nature of art, religious machinations and political intrigues.
My Name is Red is narrated by the different characters and tells a story about love, the nature of art, religious machinations and political intrigues.
I liked that this book functioned well as a narrative and a philosphical discourse on art. Pamuk juggles his multiple narrators exceedingly well, and I found the story interesting. I also never really though much about the differences between Muslim and Western conceptions of art and learned a lot from Pamuk's depiction of 16th century Istanbul.
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was written in a very unique way and in some ways it was quite an interesting read. I wanted to know how it would end! But it was SO SLOW and some parts dragged terribly.
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes