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I've spent quite a bit of time debating how to rate this book- more than once it nearly landed on my "May I please have these hours of my life back" shelf, mostly because it moves so, so slowly and because (for me) the detail that Pamuk puts into it turns into nothing more than tedium.
However, parts of the story are so beautiful and well-written (see the chapters written from the perspective of the color red or the horse in the painting) that I don't feel that my time was entirely wasted.
Why this book was difficult for me:
-The book moves incredibly slowly; as best I was able to calculate, all 400+ pages of "action" occur in approximately one week.
-I found it absolutely impossible to connect with the characters at an emotional level. Esther, who is a bit player, was the one I found most interesting and would really enjoy learning more about.
-Did I mention that it's really, really slow-moving? Like molasses. In winter.
Why this book was wonderful:
-Pamuk's writing is lyrical, as it always is.
-The cultural tension of being Turkish and the implications of the Eastern and Western influences; this was something that going to Turkey gave me a much greater appreciation for.
Would I re-read it? Hell no. Should this be your introduction to Pamuk? Again, Hell no. Start with Snow. Or Istanbul. Anything but this. Is it worth reading? If you can tolerate the inertia, absolutely!
However, parts of the story are so beautiful and well-written (see the chapters written from the perspective of the color red or the horse in the painting) that I don't feel that my time was entirely wasted.
Why this book was difficult for me:
-The book moves incredibly slowly; as best I was able to calculate, all 400+ pages of "action" occur in approximately one week.
-I found it absolutely impossible to connect with the characters at an emotional level. Esther, who is a bit player, was the one I found most interesting and would really enjoy learning more about.
-Did I mention that it's really, really slow-moving? Like molasses. In winter.
Why this book was wonderful:
-Pamuk's writing is lyrical, as it always is.
-The cultural tension of being Turkish and the implications of the Eastern and Western influences; this was something that going to Turkey gave me a much greater appreciation for.
Would I re-read it? Hell no. Should this be your introduction to Pamuk? Again, Hell no. Start with Snow. Or Istanbul. Anything but this. Is it worth reading? If you can tolerate the inertia, absolutely!