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Daren's Reviews > My Name Is Red
My Name Is Red
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Well, I am fence sitting on this one. The overwhelmingly positive reviews from fellow readers make me the outlier on this.
For me I found it a complex and demanding read, yet it was also repetitive and at times numbing in its detail (something I normally find appealing!). While all aspects of the multi-layered story appealed to me, the detail of the miniatures somehow overtook the miniatures as a whole, and I wasn't able to take as much from them as I had hoped.
Without a couple of days off work with a cold, I would probably have laboured harder on this book at its 670 pages of dense text - a larger investment than I am often prepared to make with so many other books awaiting my attention, but it did feel overlong and in my view could have be through a harder edit to reduce page count without affecting the story.
However, I thought it wrapped up much quicker than was necessary (no spoilers so I won't develop that theme much more) with the conclusion to the story of Master Osman and the Sultan's enquiry into the murder left unresolved other than a brief mention.
I am usually a fan of stories with in stories, but I found most of these a distraction - although I realise the reason for having them in the narrative - the formulaic three fables thing seemed to add to the tedium for me as I read.
So, as you can tell, I didn't love this novel. I do think it was masterfully crafted with the continually changing perspective, and aspects were excellent, but for me overlong and drawn out.
On this basis a solid 3 stars.
For me I found it a complex and demanding read, yet it was also repetitive and at times numbing in its detail (something I normally find appealing!). While all aspects of the multi-layered story appealed to me, the detail of the miniatures somehow overtook the miniatures as a whole, and I wasn't able to take as much from them as I had hoped.
Without a couple of days off work with a cold, I would probably have laboured harder on this book at its 670 pages of dense text - a larger investment than I am often prepared to make with so many other books awaiting my attention, but it did feel overlong and in my view could have be through a harder edit to reduce page count without affecting the story.
However, I thought it wrapped up much quicker than was necessary (no spoilers so I won't develop that theme much more) with the conclusion to the story of Master Osman and the Sultan's enquiry into the murder left unresolved other than a brief mention.
I am usually a fan of stories with in stories, but I found most of these a distraction - although I realise the reason for having them in the narrative - the formulaic three fables thing seemed to add to the tedium for me as I read.
So, as you can tell, I didn't love this novel. I do think it was masterfully crafted with the continually changing perspective, and aspects were excellent, but for me overlong and drawn out.
On this basis a solid 3 stars.
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Reading Progress
July 9, 2023
– Shelved
May 10, 2024
–
Started Reading
May 15, 2024
–
Finished Reading
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Dmitri
(last edited May 16, 2024 02:05PM)
(new)
May 16, 2024 04:59AM
Another favorite author albeit by a quixotic writer . So he runs on and on…Istanbul was a treasure but haven’t read the others. I did go to Pamukkale however so at least there was that.
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The only other I have read is Istanbul, and I loved that Dmitri. There was probably a lot in this that I missed.Dmitri wrote: "Another favorite author albeit by a quixotic write . So he runs on and on…Istanbul was a treasure but haven’t read the others. I did go to Pamukkale however so at least there was that."
I would have to say, Daren, that all other attempts to read Pamuk have led me to think that he overindulges himself in detail and that stricter editing wouldn’t go amiss. I was mesmerised by this book, however, and it’s a shame you found it so laborious. I know exactly how you felt though!
With only 'Istanbul' previously tackled with Pamuk, I looked forward to this and expected detail, but it was longer than I needed in this case!Fiona wrote: "I would have to say, Daren, that all other attempts to read Pamuk have led me to think that he overindulges himself in detail and that stricter editing wouldn’t go amiss. I was mesmerised by this b..."
I found this to be a really challenging read and I was quite unprepared for the style. If you are interested in Pamuk, I recommend SNOW. It has a clearer story-line and a collection of memorable characters as well as giving voice to the conflicted images of Turkey's past and Turkish identity. Pat
Yes there were lots of distractions in the story, and it was challenging for me too. I do have a copy of Snow for the future. Cheers.Ms.pegasus wrote: "I found this to be a really challenging read and I was quite unprepared for the style. If you are interested in Pamuk, I recommend SNOW. It has a clearer story-line and a collection of memorable ch..."
//I would probably have laboured harder on this book at its 670 pages of dense text - a larger investment than I am often prepared to make with so many other books awaiting my attention//Yes, That is what I felt when I read his Snow too... That too I started with Tamil translation and later switched to English for the Comfort of the Language and lucidity that does not lose out on the details. Unfortunately that might not be possible for you.
Premanand wrote: "Unfortunately that might not be possible for you..."Ha, I am strictly limited to one language! While I might have the ability to read and process more complex writing, I read primarily for enjoyment so I tend to favour fairly simple books, possibly why non-fiction largely appeals. My brain fills up with work information so I kind of need to keep my relaxation simpler!
