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My Name Is Red
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My Name Is Red [Retro Read] - Chapters 26 to 42, Some Spoilers Allowed (November 2016)
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Nov 01, 2016 01:40AM
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I finished chapter 42 last night. I found the middle section a little slow compared with the first chapters. I am very intrigued as to where the interleaved stories are heading, though.
This section was more about the crime than the debate about the art. There is no doubt Parmuk is a genius but the book seems overlong. Or is it he is writing in the style of the old story tellers and stretching out the tale?
I finished Chapter 42 this morning. I am liking the book better, perhaps because it is more focused on the crime than the art! But, Master Osman spends some time describing the differences among the three miniaturists in their art and that was interesting. I'm looking forward to see if they can determine the murderer based on artistic style. There was a lot of time spent on the machinations of Black and, especially, Shekure in hiding the death of her father, getting her divorce, and getting married. It is no wonder Black is suspected of murdering Shekure's father.
I finished chapter 42 today, I really enjoyed this part of the book more than the beginning, lots of things happening with Enisthe's murder, the wedding (which I didn't expect to happen so fast if at all!) and now the focus on catching the murderer. I also enjoyed the description of the art styles and kind of wish we had some illustrations to go with the book! but overall I am looking forward to how the story unfolds.
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It is strange, because though it does seem slow in the middle, it is still totally engrossing. It is as if you can sense the book slowing down, but you as a reader do not. At least, that is how it is for me. I found the same thing with Snow and couldn't put the book down. I'm loving both the moving story and the historical sections of this book. Though I didn't get a good chunk of the book read in my first few sittings with it, I've been able to do so now, and it's going so quickly. I am already feeling that this book will be my favorite of his. There is so much here, and even in the educational aspect of the work, there is so much of the story and the themes. This is fantastic. Why did I wait so long to read this?!
There is one line pretty early on that I think tells you who the murderer is, but I will have to see if that is correct. Did anyone see anything early on or have any other clues?
Ernie wrote: "It is strange, because though it does seem slow in the middle, it is still totally engrossing. It is as if you can sense the book slowing down, but you as a reader do not. At least, that is how it ..."I'll admit, I was wrong about who the murderer was! I was taken in by a few lines here and there, maybe a red herring or two!
I just finished chapter 42. I'm loving the book, but like some others I feel it has slowed in the last part of this section. My interest flagged during Osman's description of each miniaturist, even though knowing this might come in handy in the last part of the book. I love that this is a simultaneously a love story, a murder mystery and an education on Islamic art and the forces of culture at this time period. I like how Pahmuk has each narrator speak occasionally to the reader and how he describes what they say to others and then what they are really thinking. Clever!I find the focus of traditional Islamic illustration vs the more modern style fascinating. In chapter 42 there is yet another discussion of painting from memory vs from a model. Seems like painting from a model is considered heresy. Also having a style is against tradition. I think painting in the tradition (and perhaps reading these stories) is a way to get closer to Allah.
From the chapter narrated by Enishte after his death, I am wondering if "Red" is Allah, heaven being shown to him in brilliant red,
Jessica wrote: "I finished chapter 42 today, I really enjoyed this part of the book more than the beginning, lots of things happening with Enisthe's murder, the wedding (which I didn't expect to happen so fast if ..."In my Everyman's Library edition of the book, there is an introduction by Pahmuk written 10 years after the novel was published. In it he says his dream is to create an edition of the book with illustrations of what he is describing. That would be fabulous!!
I wish I lived closer to Copenhagen to see this fabulous collection. http://www.davidmus.dk/en/collections...
Suzy wrote: "In it he says his dream is to create an edition of the book with illustrations of what he is describing. That would be fabulous!!..."Yes! I am constantly frustrated that he hasn't included examples of his descriptions.
Janice(JG) wrote: "Suzy wrote: "In it he says his dream is to create an edition of the book with illustrations of what he is describing. That would be fabulous!!..."Yes! I am constantly frustrated that he hasn't in..."
I wish there would be examples also! But at least we have the internet :)
Suzy wrote: "In it he says his dream is to create an edition of the book with illustrations of what he is describing. That would be fabulous!!..."This is awesome! I hope he's able to do it, I would definitely check it out. Even with the internet it doesn't feel the same, also I am a big fan of printed media.
That collection in Copenhagen looks great, I need to find where in the northeast US I can find a good collection of miniatures, I am going to guess NYC but I'm not sure.
Suzy wrote: "...I wish there would be examples also! But at least we have the internet :) ..."This is the first book I have read with the text in one hand and my cell phone in the other! In the past, I have used my PC for look-ups, but right now I can't and I found my phone screen was far more adequate than I expected, between Google and a dictionary app.
I went more places than I probably would have with the drop-down menus upon starting an entry, plus the links between articles. Great fun. Now I want to visit Istanbul, but know I won't, unfortunately. But I certainly recommend the book to anyone who does -- along with Kanon's much lighter one, Istanbul Passage. (I own Pamuk's Istanbul: Memories and the City, but haven't read it.)
Lily wrote: "Suzy wrote: "...I wish there would be examples also! But at least we have the internet :) ..."This is the first book I have read with the text in one hand and my cell phone in the other! In the p..."
Were there any articles or sites that you think worth sharing with the group, Lily? Learning about the world of miniatures and the middle east during the 1500's is fascinating!
Jessica wrote: "...I need to find where in the northeast US I can find a good collection of miniatures, I am going to guess NYC but I'm not sure. ..."The Met has an Islamic art section (with its own guidebook), but the scope of its illustrations...I haven't checked. There may be more extensive ones in specialist museums -- try a Google search or two for ideas? Also -- watch for traveling exhibitions.
I have enjoyed the collection at the Fogg (Harvard) from Galbraith when he was ambassador, but I believe those are Hindu rather than Persian. Yale is another place I'd check?
Did anyone find a good site comparing Frankish or Venetian? I haven't quite gotten a sense of the contrast in my head -- partly because I have little sense for comparing art of a particular century between different regions.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communic...Not like seeing "the real thing," but I did enjoy the video here.
Okay, not sure which neurons told me to look for Yale, but on this page scroll down until you see the document illustrating Nizami's Quintet (Five Stories).https://www.library.yale.edu/neareast...
(It enlarges if you click on the image.)
http://guides.lib.umich.edu/islamicms...This may be helpful, too. Don't have any idea what it might take to have access with, say, a curator or scholar....
Lily wrote: "http://guides.lib.umich.edu/islamicms...This may be helpful, too. Don't have any idea what it might take to have access with, say, a curator or scholar...."
Wow Lily thanks so much for all these awesome links!! The Yale one is fantastic, and the guide for all the Universities is gonna be so helpful! I live in Philadelphia so I'll try to hit UPenn at least to see what they have. Thanks again! this is so helpful!
Jessica wrote: "...I live in Philadelphia so I'll try to hit UPenn at least to see what they have...."Hope you will come back and share a bit about what you find. Haaze seems to have found an interesting book on the art -- not sure how to retrieve its name at the moment.
Besides the comments on shadow and perspective, Shekure, on p 137, gave me the distinctions re: Venetian art I was seeking. I'm too indolent to quote it all, but it ends "Our noses can no longer be a kind of wall that divides our faces, but rather, living and curious instruments with a form unique to each of us."
The political and historical march towards the value of individuals and individualism? One being challenged in today's political climates?
21st Century Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
Istanbul Passage (other topics)Istanbul: Memories and the City (other topics)
