Irwan’s review of The Black Book > Likes and Comments

I notice that you're a Pamuk fan.
The New Yorker got a video interview with him, hope it opens:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video...

Yes, I am!
Thanks for the link. Will check it later :-)

It was a great talk about homeland. Gave me some perspective about home and how it becomes your identification when you live outside of it.

The talk also raised an issue of double standard: third-world writers are always expected to write about their homeland. Even though they think they write about humanity, they are most likely to be read/perceived as writing about their homeland. On the other hand, European/American writers enjoy the privilege of being the writers of the world. They have no problem of representation.

Btw, the talk, along with others New Yorker festival talks, is also available as a podcast in iTunes.

Thanks again Ardita!

I've not yet a read a novel or full-length book by Pamuk. I have read several of his personal essays (memoir pieces) in The New Yorker that I thought singular--unparalleled...beautifully written and insightful. Friends (with the exception of one) have had a tough time with his novels, found them slow-going, and I've not been sure which to start with...
Irwan, I assume you were born there? When did you leave? (or are you there still)?

Hi Jessica!
I assume you assumed I was Turkish and you were asking me whether I was born in Istanbul. The answer is no, I am Indonesian, born in Indonesia, been living in Norway for the past eight years :-)

Pamuk is not an "easy" reading because you have to struggle to hold on to the story line and to know whose voice is currently saying at any given time. His writing if full of daunting details which I think requires a slightly different mode of reading. He admits himself that he is a visual writer (See the links from Ardita in this thread). I feel that he includes as much as secondary and tertiary informations to paint a complete picture. So, when I am reading him, I don't care so much about how this story is going to end, who the murderer is or something like that. Instead, I slow my pace down and follow all those details like a small child admiring a bag of colourful marbles or intricate car or aeroplane models.

In fact, the thing I like most from him is this "childishness" which was clearly shown in a literary interview on a Norwegian television one day. I would recommend to start with My Name Is Red, which I did after watching him in that interview.

Thanks Irwan for your suggestions and clarifications as to your birthplace! (My son's grandfather was Norwegian by the way & my son has a Norwegian name). I'll try "My Name is Red" as you suggest. Thanks. Haven't yet had time to browse the links, but I will.

My pleasure! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :-)
Btw, what is your son's name?

Kai Haaland. He has many relatives in Norway, but we've not visited, yet...

Indeed, it is a Norwegian name :-)
Norway is nice country to stay. Quiet and peaceful. I was born and grew up in a big, crowded city. A real contrast...