Approximately 20 years later, I reread "The White Castle" and this time I liked it even more. When I first read it (I think I wasn't even twenty yet); I was just a naive young reader who read everything that needed to be read in sequence, put a tick next to it. Now I read it more thoroughly and enjoyably. I am newly realizing that the novels that I read and put aside before and which were given little credit are actually something special. "The White Castle" is definitely one of these novels.

In the story set during the time of Sultan Mehmet the Hunter, who was curious about the animals caged in childhood, the concepts of twins, alter egos, East-West, us-them, me and him are explored through a Venetian who was captured by the Turks and is physically identical to him and in the person of his master, Hodja. The background is filled with interesting historical phenomena such as the astrologers around the Ottoman sultan, hunting expeditions, and the plague epidemic. This short book passes on knowledge to the reader in a flawless historical atmosphere along with the personal crises of the heroes.

I don't think it's Orhan Pamuk's best novel, but it's a work that those who are interested in other literary concepts of twins must read. It may be even more enjoyable if Dostoyevsky's "The Double" is read before it.

The first Orhan Pamuk novel I read was definitely a late one. It was magical, mysterious, beneath the wings of Istanbul...

It is quoted that "even in such a short and plain novel, being able to create such a powerful atmosphere and bring the Istanbul of the 17th century to a closeness that we can touch if we stretch out is another (perhaps the essence) mastery of the author." I think it's from a foreign newspaper.

Orhan Pamuk's works have always been renowned for their ability to transport readers to different times and places. This particular novel, although short and unadorned, manages to weave a spellbinding atmosphere. The description of Istanbul in the 17th century is so vivid that it feels as if it is right before our eyes. The author's mastery lies in his ability to create a sense of intimacy with the past, making us feel as if we are a part of it.

Through his words, Pamuk invites us to explore the hidden corners of Istanbul, to discover its secrets and mysteries. He shows us a city that is both beautiful and tragic, a place where history and culture collide. This novel is not just a story; it is a journey into the heart of Istanbul, a journey that will leave you breathless and longing for more.

Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po4dQ...

Featured in my Top 20 Books I Read in 2017

This novel is truly a remarkable piece of work. It has the power to make you feel a sense of wonderful sinisterness. The dreamy and absorbing nature of the story is simply enchanting. It is a very dense read, but at the same time, it is immensely captivating. In fact, it can be put on par with the weirdest fiction of great authors like Calvino, Borges, or Hoffmann. The unique style and the intricate plot keep you engaged from start to finish. You find yourself getting lost in the strange and wonderful world that the author has created. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, making you think and reflect on its themes and ideas. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who loves strange and captivating fiction.

This is the first novel penned by Orhan Pamuk, and it is indeed a remarkable one. Pamuk, who is Turkey's bestselling author, has also been honored with the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The White Castle is set in the 17th century and centers around an Italian academic who is captured by the Turkish Navy. He becomes a slave to a man who shares the same age and physical traits as himself. The resemblance is, to say the least, quite strange. Thus commences a complex exploration between the two characters.

The novel's style reminded me of Dostoyevsky and Kafka, both of whom I hold in high regard. Many themes are delved into, including identity, knowledge, and modernity. I can understand why Pamuk is a controversial figure in his own country.

This is my second Turkish book, with the other being Sabahattin Ali's outstanding "Madonna in a Fur Coat". It further reinforces my belief that this nation is rich in great literature that is well worth exploring.

It is truly fascinating to discover the diverse and profound works that emerge from different cultures. Pamuk's novel offers a unique perspective on history, human nature, and the power of literature to engage and启迪 our minds. I look forward to reading more from this talented author and exploring the literary treasures of Turkey.

I think this was not the appropriate time for me to read this book.

While I was reading it, I wasn't really interested. Even though I somehow knew that it should interest me, I just couldn't seem to get into it.

As I reached the end, I was certain that this wasn't the right moment for me to engage with this particular piece of literature.

You know how sometimes you can't fully appreciate something in the present, but you have a hunch that at another time, you would have.

It's like a missed connection, a book that might have been a great fit for me at a different stage of my life or in a different frame of mind.

Maybe in the future, when the circumstances are more favorable, I'll pick up this book again and discover the hidden gems that I overlooked this time around.

For now, I'll move on and look for other books that can capture my attention and imagination in the here and now.

I suffered a great deal to reach the other cover of the book, due to the poor translation. It seems that the novel is translated from English rather than the original language. However, the novel itself is an interesting one. It tells about two people who lived together for a very long time, and both of them completely rejected their lives. Until the one with the upper hand was able to usurp the personality of the other and flee with it, which forced the other to usurp his own personality and continue with it. The novel talks about the life that a person lives between himself and his thoughts, and how the internal conflict can overthrow a person until he collapses. And even if a person can recreate his entire life, he will still be himself, because everything stems from within.

Excerpts from the novel "The White Castle" by Orhan Pamuk
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He began to hide from me because he was hiding from himself
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It seems to me that I will no longer be the slave, but him. And I will no longer be the bad man of the house, but him. There are indications of this. I sometimes realized that he wanted trust, whether I laughed at him or not. And he began to wait for my approval like the weak people who do not trust themselves
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When a person advances in age, he seeks more symmetry, even in stories
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The absence of fear does not result from a clear conscience, but from ignorance
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It is obvious that if a person is infected with the disease of knowledge, he cannot escape
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Collapse means seeing others superior and trying to resemble them
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Life is not waiting, but something to enjoy its taste
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I now realize that much of what he experienced as a coincidence was actually a necessity
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What is the importance of what a person will be? What is important is what he does
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We must search for the strange and the astonishing, perhaps this is the only thing we can do to face the narrowness of the world that confines us, because things themselves always repeat
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We must search for the strange and the astonishing in the world and not within ourselves. Searching within ourselves and thinking about ourselves more than we are only brings us sadness
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We must imagine life and the dreams we have lost anew in order to regain control over them
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Interesting, interesting... And then one gets lost in the meanders of their exchange of personalities, to the point of understanding very little.

It's a pity, the potential is there but the themes and the context, which would be the most interesting things, are overshadowed by the author's too many elucubrations and the role-play established between the protagonist and the Maestro.

In the end, there is little left.

Perhaps if the author had focused more on developing the themes and context in a more straightforward manner, rather than getting lost in convoluted thoughts and role-playing games, the piece could have been more engaging and thought-provoking.

As it stands, it feels a bit like a maze that one enters with hope but quickly becomes disoriented and frustrated.

Nevertheless, there are still some glimmers of potential that could be explored further if the author were to take a different approach in future works.

I won't say it's a great start, but it's not disappointing either.

Maybe in the next encounter, I can be more determined :).

This simple statement holds a certain truth. Life is full of various beginnings, and not all of them are grand and glorious. Sometimes, we might enter a new situation with high hopes, only to find that it's not as perfect as we expected. However, that doesn't mean it's a failure. It could be a learning experience or a stepping stone towards something better.

The idea of being more determined in the next encounter shows a positive attitude. It implies that we are willing to reflect on our current situation, identify areas for improvement, and make a conscious effort to do better in the future. This kind of mindset can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, no matter how difficult they may seem.

I don't like to abandon books halfway, but this one has proven unbearable for me. The absurd relationship between the two main characters is obsessive and boring. In the context of a splendid Istanbul, newly conquered by the Muslims and suffering from the plague, how can one narrate a story that is completely (in my opinion) lacking in interest? Well, it is possible, and on top of that, the author is a Nobel Prize winner.

Later on, I want to give this author another chance. First, I will gather some information about his work because perhaps my expectations were not accurate.

The White Castle

The publisher, in a word placed at the beginning of the book, claims that this novel has found its place among the world's bestsellers - it is his third novel, after (Joseph and His Brothers) and (The Silent House) - but after reading the novel, I do not find in it what deserves all this praise and acclaim.

In fact, this novel - compared to his great novel (My Name Is Red) - seems like the scribbles of a beginner writer. First of all, the novel completely depends on narration using the first-person narrator - the same narrator used in (My Name Is Red), but it was distinguished by the multiplicity of narrators and their strangeness at times -. As for the idea around which the text revolves, it was about an Italian scholar who falls into the hands of the Ottomans and becomes a slave to a half-mad, three-quarters ambitious Turkish scholar, and the strangest thing is that he resembles him in appearance, so much so that they are said to be twins.

And so the narrator takes us on a long journey that lasts for years, and shows us the projects that he worked on with his Turkish master to attract the attention of the sultan - who was a child at that time - starting from the production of illustrated fairy tales, to predicting the future, treating diseases, and even making a destructive weapon that destroys the enemies, and how it all ended with the two scholars almost exchanging identities.


Note: I wrote this review of the novel after reading it several years ago, but I am determined to read it again. I think my first reading of it was rather hasty.

It had a very good start, but after page fifty, it really became tiresome.

The story couldn't present the characters well, nor could it even depict life in the Ottoman Empire.

It was just like a ridiculous Bromance story.

It had absolutely no value in reading.

Overall, what began with promise quickly devolved into a disappointment.

The lack of proper character development and the failure to accurately represent the setting made it a rather forgettable read.

One would expect more from a story set in such an interesting historical context, but unfortunately, this one fell short on all fronts.

It's a pity that what could have been a great narrative turned out to be a waste of time.

Perhaps with some revisions and a more focused approach, it could have been a better book.

As it stands now, however, it's not worth recommending to others.

Venedikli and Hoca. Two separate yet the same person. One is a slave, the other is a master. One is a song, the other is the west. They are like two worlds within a fairy tale.

Behind them are various animals, weapons, celebrations, and stars. By their sides are plagues, whispers, and dreams.

Previously, I had started reading "The Red-Haired Woman" but for some reason, I didn't continue. However, it was not the case in "The White Castle." The story pulled me in, and so did the setting and time. As I was asking myself who I was, I found myself. The author's last words were also very impactful for me. I took notes of the books he referred to, for example, (the one by Dostoyevsky was added to my library). It was a nice encounter with Pamuk. I thought for a while about which book would be next and decided it would be "Snow." Let's see how my journey with Orhan Pamuk's books will continue?