My Name is Red - Chapters 46-60 & Complete Book Discussion (February 2012)

[William]

For Chapters 46-60, and the entire books as a whole.

[Deborah]

I'm both relieved and sad that it's over. That was a whole lot of book. Beautiful, great story, interesting departure from typical story telling, but dense. There was a lot of language. Me, I don't mind a novel in 25 words or less, you know.

The theme of blindness through out was fascinating I think. It's particularly interesting when you look at Master Osman's act. I found that really nuanced. It said a lot about both what he didn't want to see, and what he wanted to keep seeing. And the recurring statement that the blind and seeing are not equal was haunting. I'm anxious to hear what you all make of it.

[Sophia]

There is so much that could be said about this book. Yes the theme of blindness was fascinating. But of equal interest, for me, was the theme of sight in relation to art/illustration.

I particularly enjoyed it because it wasn't your run of the mill plot-driven novel (the like of which drive me nuts!), but instead, literary fiction run through with profound psychological and philosophical insights.

I could read this novel again and again. And there are not many books I can say that about (!)

[Adam]

This may not be a comparison that holds up, but it struck me at the end of the book that bound up in the tension between Eastern and Western cultures, conservatism and change, Muslim and Christian religions, was a conflict over conceptions of time. The repetiveness that the Pamuk showed in telling and retelling the old stories referenced in the paintings is part of what frustrated me in reading the book even as I recognized its stylistic importance. It was not until the next to the last chapter that I began to think of the story in terms of cyclical time as opposed to linear time. In that way, it was similar (even if story, plot, and cultures are far removed from one another) to the writing of Leslie Marmon Silko (Native American fiction - whose work I actually prefer). The adherence to a cyclical view of time is perhaps most outrightly stated in the passage: "It seemed as if this moment of observation went on and on and I realized seeing had become a variety of memory...If you stare long enough your mind enters the time of the painting." (p. 405) I know very little about Muslim religion/culture, so I do not know if the conception of cyclical time is an apt characterization of the worldview within the Pamuk's book, but it is interesting to think about the story within that framework.

[Natacha]

I did enjoy reading My Name is Red. I loved the concept that comes up dealing with whether or not one can fall in love merely by looking at a painting/picture. Is it the painting/picture that one loves or the Creator of this object of our interest? It was a question I found myself asking different people while I was reading it and I found it makes for an interesting conversation.

However, I have to say that a certain passage at the end left me pondering its relevance/necessity. The passage I refer to is between Shekure and Black during which she performs a sexual act on him, and while he is pretty beat-up to say the least. From the tone of the novel, it seems that this sexual act carries negative connotation, so I wonder why Shekure decides to go along with it, and also why she would pick this time to do it?! I was just left wondering as to the point of this passage. What symbolism does it carry? Is this revealing her sexually adventurous side, and/or her efforts to make Black happy, and thus also to ensure the safety of her children? What does she mean by she could see "Black looking at her in a completely different way" and why would she even want him to?
I'd love to hear readers' thoughts on it!

[Sophia]

You are not forgotten! Just as soon as I've got some time I'll let you know what I think.

[Sophia]

Natacha wrote: "I was just left wondering as to the point of this passage. What symbolism does it carry? Is this revealing her sexually adventurous side, and/or her efforts to make Black happy, and thus also to ensure the safety of her children? "

Do you think she did so in order to validate their relationship? Perhaps she was obliged to do so. Just a thought... Is it significant that she chooses a moment when Black is at his most vulnerable?