Snow

The setting of this novel is truly captivating. Kars, a city in a remote corner of Turkey, once boasted a glorious past but now finds itself rather marginal and gloomy. Isolated from the world by a snow blizzard, it becomes the stage for some dramatic events over the course of a couple of days. This immediately reminded me of the city of Oran in Albert Camus' La Peste, and through the snow, also of the Davos in Thomas Mann's Magic Mountain. What's more, in Kars, we witness a famous Turkish poet, Ka, wandering around, rather spineless in the face of events. This makes the parallel with Franz Kafka's Das Schloss abundantly clear.

There is indeed some action in this work, including a military coup with numerous casualties. However, it is primarily a "talking" novel. Pamuk delves deep into the almost endless Turkish discussions regarding the country's own identity - European or not? - and the place of religion in society - Kemalism versus the rising Islamism. This requires a certain knowledge of Turkish affairs, to be sure, but it is presented in a highly interesting manner, especially in light of the islamophobia in the West after 9/11. The novel jumps from one discussion to another, with varying participants, which demands some stamina from the reader, but it is well worth the effort. Admirably, Pamuk offers no simplifications or caricatures, from either side. On the contrary, both atheists and islamists often express doubts about their beliefs or positions, both grappling with existential loneliness. The common thread throughout these disputations is the ambiguous attitude all the protagonists have towards Europe, or the West: a combination of attraction and repulsion. Needless to say, the characters in this novel are burdened with numerous inferiority complexes, making it a highly instructive read.

With "Snow", Pamuk not only presents a highly political novel but also reveals a clear postmodernist side. There is a reflection on what writing is and what meaning art can bring in the real world. After all, we see how Ka, in Kars, suddenly pulls 19 poems from his sleeve after years of creative drought. In this way, he can give a place to everything he experiences. Moreover, there is the story of Ka himself, his wanderings between Kemalists and Islamists, his relationship with the stunning Ipek, and the associated hope and suffering. Pretty soon in the novel, we learn that this story is being told by a friend of Ka, a fellow writer. But it is only at the end that we realize that this presumed objective narrator has filled in a large number of elements himself, especially regarding the inner life of Ka. This explains why the character of Ka makes such a volatile impression and regularly switches from one opinion to another.

So, it is truly remarkable how Pamuk manages to bring all these layers together. Nevertheless, I am not completely overwhelmed. The verbosity of the novel can sometimes be excessive, some scenes are absurdly theatrical, the endless wanderings of Ka really push the patience of the reader to the limit, and some elements have been developed rather weakly, such as Ka's puppy love for Ipek and the character of Ipek herself, as well as the other female figures. Overall, this is definitely a great novel, but it does have some flaws. I still enjoyed reading it, though. (3.5 stars)

Finally, I had to abandon this 123-page book.

I was initially disappointed because what began as a truly interesting novel, written by a Nobel winner no less, about the political clashes between the European west and various political factions in Turkey (depicting the "Islamists" versus the "secularists" in the book), unfortunately devolved into an almost Faulkner-like stream-of-consciousness and dreamlike narration. The dialogue was so tiresome that it wore me out.

I find it hard to believe that this group of sanctimonious teenagers would get so worked up about wearing headscarves as political statements in the Mideast these days. But, okay, whatever. I could suspend my disbelief, except for the fact that I had to try to decipher the ridiculous conversations that made up the silly banter among all the characters. Who talks in metaphors and anecdotes with such philosophical underpinnings? Come on. I understand that there are obvious cultural and language differences here, and some meaning and depth might be getting lost in translation. However, I still have a hard time believing that anyone anywhere really talks like this.

Snow, a novel by the 2006 Nobel Prize (Literature) winner Orhan Pamuk, translated by Maureen Freely, explores the human confusion in recognizing the existence of God and seeking true love amid the conflict between radical Islamic thought and Western ideas of freedom.

Set in a small town in the mountainous region of Kars, tucked away in eastern Anatolia, Turkey, the novel features Kerim Alakusoglu, better known as Ka, a poet who was a political exile in Germany for 12 years and returns to his homeland to reclaim memories.

Under the pretext of reporting for a newspaper in Istanbul on the tragic epidemic of suicides among veiled women and the local elections, Ka tries to hide his true desire to reunite with his former classmate, Ipek.

The heavy snowfall in the Kars mountain region not only creates a nostalgic and melancholic atmosphere in the novel but also serves as a backdrop to the important events in the story, namely the coup by the Sunay Zaim Theater Group, which supports the secular ideology of Ataturk.

This is because the coup takes place during a period when Kars is cut off from the outside world due to the snow blocking the roads into the town, thus giving a mysterious atmosphere to various issues such as the Islamic-secular conflict, the wearing of the veil, poverty, suicide, and military interference.

The coup is marked by a theatrical performance of a classic script, My Fatherland or My Head Scarf, which triggers outrage among students at a religious school as it shows a scene of a female actress removing her veil and then burning it.

This is followed by a scene that leaves a lasting impression on the reader when soldiers storm the stage, firing live ammunition at the audience who think it is part of the play, resulting in bloodshed and the arrest of many students from the religious school.

The novel brings Ka into contact with many characters with their own unique personalities, such as Blue, a charismatic extremist; Necip, an idealistic student who dreams of becoming a world-famous science fiction writer; Kadife, a female leader of the veiled; and Sunay, the theater activist who stages the coup.

Interestingly, the novel uses two perspectives. Ka drives the main plot of Snow, while the second perspective is presented by the author through the character of Ka's close friend, Orhan, who tells Ka's story in the form of a report.

Orhan seems to be reading Ka's notes throughout his stay in Kars and also has the mission of obtaining the green notebook that contains 19 of Ka's poems written while in the town but lost after his death.

This work by last year's Nobel laureate seems to confirm the confusion that surrounds Turkish society, including unfounded fears of Islam, the stubborn preservation of Ataturk's secular ideology, and the longing to be accepted by Europe.

There are books that, in addition to being captivating due to the fluidity and prowess of the narrative, also offer a sense of implicit wisdom and belonging. This book falls into that category. It may seem redundant for this review to state this, considering the renowned dexterity of the Nobel-awarded author. However, the sensibility discerned during the redaction was a surprising contentment.

Although the topics covered by the book are quite complex to elaborate on in a novel (for example, the social perception of religion, dogmas, and customs experienced by a hesitant participant), Mr. Pamuk has delivered an intelligently shaped piece of writing. Here, a smartly defined characterization and a brilliantly managed time-line provide, at its core, a sense of identity to the reader.

The story, narrated by a third party, tells the downfall of Ka, a middle-aged poet. He returns to his city of birth with the initial intention of researching the case of a group of suicidal girls related to a veil-banning policy. However, he ends up on a deepening voyage of self-realization and awareness of his secluded community.

It is an enjoyable read, with beautifully described Turkish sceneries within a historic setting that offers a social critique of current relevance. This includes the role of women in a struggling Islamic society and the quandaries of a community facing opposing western mentalities.

Snow

Orhan Pamuk's novel "Snow" is a profound meditation on multiple aspects such as Religion, Poetry, Love, Gender relations, and Politics. It is indeed a difficult and challenging work. While the author himself characterized it as a political novel, it encompasses far more. From the book, one can learn about Turkey and its politics, but what truly moves is the author's reflections on issues that transcend the politics of a particular place.

The story revolves around a man named Ka. Raised in a secular home in Istanbul, Ka is 42 and unmarried when the narrative begins. He has just returned from a 12-year political exile in Frankfurt, Germany, to attend his mother's funeral. In Istanbul, he arranges to visit the border Turkish city of Kars. His purposes include covering the upcoming local elections (as the mayor of Kars has just been assassinated), investigating a series of suicides among young Muslim women, and attempting to rekindle a romance with a beautiful woman named Ipek, whom he knew as a student and who has recently divorced. Ka is a poet. During his years in Frankfurt, he never learned German but continued to write in Turkish. However, he had been unable to compose poetry during his final four years there and had no romantic involvements.

Ka's story is told in the voice of a writer named Orhan, creating a sense of distance and irony. Orhan describes himself as a novelist and an old friend of the poet. He visits Kars four years after the death of his friend and relays the tale. Ka spends only three days in Kars before returning to Frankfurt, but this short time is eventful for both the city and the protagonist. He witnesses a murder in a cafe and a coup in which the military takes control of the city and suspends the elections. He has a brief sexual encounter with Ipek. Although a secularist, he becomes drawn to religion and meets with a Shiek. He also has fateful encounters with a charismatic Islamic terrorist, Blue, with whom Ipek and her younger sister Kadiffe have had romantic involvements. Perhaps most significantly, Ka finds himself able to write poetry again. In his few days in Kars, he composes 19 poems in bursts of inspiration, all but one of which he writes in a faded green notebook.

During Ka's visit, Kars is in the midst of a three-day snowstorm that isolates the city. The falling snow is a crucial symbol in the book, appearing in nearly every chapter with multiple meanings. It symbolizes silence, isolation, loneliness, cold, purity, innocence, sadness, and more. Ka becomes captivated by the six-sided figure of the snowflake. The individuality of each snowflake becomes emblematic of the human condition for him. When he returns to Frankfurt, he devises an elaborate symbolism for classifying the 19 poems he composed in Kars based on the six sides of the snowflake. Another pervasive symbolic object is the dog, both as a family pet and a stray. Dogs are seen on the streets, eliciting affection and compassion.

Ka's short and complicated love affair with Ipek lies at the heart of the novel, as he hopes she will return with him to Frankfurt. However, this hope is shattered by Ka's own weaknesses and ambivalences, along with politics and chance. When he returns to Frankfurt, he becomes a lonely and alienated figure, unable to write poetry, wandering the streets and addicted to pornography. Four years after his return, he is murdered under circumstances suggesting political motivation.

"Snow" has much to offer in its long discussions about the search for God, the nature of creativity, and the need for love. Pamuk's treatment of these universal human themes is carefully intertwined with his particularism, as he delves into the streets, places, and people of Kars. He also focuses on the complex political situation of Turkey, torn between the desire to become part of the European community and retain its religious, Muslim character. Secularism and religion are represented in the book in several ways, not just by two diametrically opposed groups. The tension in the local political situation becomes a symbol of the range of choices that individuals in all cultures must face as part of being human.

This book has received a variety of reviews on this site. It is a slow and difficult work that may not appeal to everyone. However, for those readers with a penchant for philosophical and religious reflection, "Snow" is an outstanding novel.

Robin Friedman

I have to admit,

I threw in the towel on this one. If I heard the word 'headscarf' one more time--or God--I would have started gibbering.

I truly despise the star system used to rate great literature. This book was that maddening combination of beautiful, evocative, breathtaking writing, and a story that I simply couldn't force my way through.

On one hand, it's almost irrelevant whether I "liked" it or didn't "like" it. Objectively speaking, it was a beautiful and powerful book.

And yet, despite its many literary merits, I was never fully caught up in any of it. The only parts that really engaged me were the description of the snow, the town of Kars itself, and the tea house where the Director of Education gets shot.

Perhaps I'll come back to it again for another try. I would give it 5 stars for the writing, which was truly outstanding, and 3 stars for my level of interest in the story and characters.

So, all in all, that leaves me with a 4-star rating and an "interrupted" status.

I hope that on my next attempt, I'll be able to fully appreciate the story and characters as much as I do the beautiful writing.

It is not often that as I close the pages of a book, I am overcome with emotion and find myself in tears, yet such was the case with the literary fiction masterpiece by Orhan Pamuk, Snow.

This internationally renowned writer meticulously delves into the collision of Western values with Islamic fundamentalism. Published in 2005, this prescient work could easily have been written today. Its truths are timeless, encompassing disparate yearnings for love, art, power, and God.

With an omniscient narrator, we are introduced to Kerim Alakusoglu, known as Ka, who has returned to Istanbul after many years of political exile in Germany. Ka, a well-connected poet, first attends his mother's funeral and then travels to the remote, impoverished town of Kars near the Armenian border. There, a seemingly endless snowfall, the most severe in memory, isolates the town from the modern and westernized world. Nationalists are fomenting hatred and tension, and Kars feels increasingly cut off from reality.

In addition, a spate of suicides among young women forbidden to wear their headscarves has ignited political and ethnic debate. Ka is also drawn into the turmoil of a military coup aimed at restraining local rebels. Amidst this chaos, Ka is reunited with his beautiful former schoolmate Ipek, and he entertains the possibility of a romance and her accompanying him back to Germany as his wife.

Previously blocked in his art, Ka is now inspired by the poems that come to him in this snowbound corner of Turkey. He records them in his green notebook, along with numerous notes about his experiences and the people he meets. The last of his nineteen poems is titled "The Place Where the World Ends." The snow is a powerful metaphor throughout the book, representing cleansing, silence, obliteration, and sleep, while also revealing the beauty and mystery of creation.

Orhan Pamuk offers a profound understanding of people in this book, allowing us to feel the yearnings, fears, and sadness of the characters, as well as their hope. This may be why Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2006.

The quotes from the book further enhance its themes. As the traveler watches the snow fall, he succumbs to a reverie, cleansed by memories of innocence and childhood. The sight of snow makes one think of the beauty and brevity of life and how, despite their differences, people have much in common. Snow seems to cast a veil over hatred, greed, and wrath, bringing people closer together.

Overall, Snow is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes with depth and sensitivity.

After reading other novels by Orhan Pamuk, I dedicated this year to discovering this remarkable Turkish pen. I return to this review to change the rating because it is one of the novels dear to my heart. It stands out for Orhan's style and because the novel is complete in terms of characters, plot, existential questions, and the issues raised. I was about to give it five stars, but the ending of the novel with the victory of secularism made me reduce the rating to four stars, and it is described as