Irwan's review

Irwan's review

Istanbul: Memories and the City Istanbul: Memories and the City
by Orhan Pamuk

183639 Irwan's review
rating: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
bookshelves: finished

The most enchanting thing about this book is its symmetry. He opens with a statement that from a very young age he suspected that somewhere in the streets of Istanbul, there lived another Orhan so much like him that he could pass for his twin, even his double. In the last chapter, his father apparently led a double life just like in his imagination.

Pamuk manages to intermingle the story about Istanbul and himself - reflecting each other along the way. The writing style is mostly visual - his trademark - and of course when it comes to sensitive or personal facts, he would be cheeky enough to sort of hide it from the readers, certainly without compromising the dramatic effect nor the reading pleasure.

This intricate prose taught me about "huzün" - the collective melancholia of istanbul and its people, being a former high civilization plummeted into poverty and defeat. It also taught me about the radical westernism who wish Turkey to be uprooted from its traditions an...more

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message 1: by za
04/22/2008 05:09AM

235196 Been there to Istanbul, around 10 years ago. Well, it's exotic city. I love it. Is this kind of novel?

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message 2: by Irwan
04/22/2008 05:16AM

183639 Would like to go there one day :-)

No, it is a kind of memoir or autobiography

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message 3: by za
04/22/2008 05:37AM

235196 Never been read Pamuk's book. Maybe I should try it once. Don't have plan to coming home to Indonesia, in a short time?

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message 4: by Irwan
04/22/2008 05:40AM

183639 I love Pamuk's work. I did go home in December last year. Maybe I will go there again in the autumn or winter this year.

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message 5: by za
04/22/2008 05:46AM

235196 There's no autumn or winter here :-D So, when it will happen? Surabaya?

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message 6: by Irwan
04/22/2008 05:48AM

183639 not sure yet, probably in november or december
yeah.. to Surabaya

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