MY NAME IS RED by Orhan Pamuk

Ever since I’ve finished reading “Strangeness in My Mind” by Pamuk, I couldn’t wait to get to this novel too.

Here we are now and in a way I’m glad “My Name is Red” wasn’t the first book I read from Pamuk.

I found myself intrigued at first, it’s hard not to especially when a book starts with “I Am a Corpse” and all the following chapters are being presented from the perspective of different characters. It’s like being part of a jury listening to eveyone’s side of the story and trying to figure out who could have killed the Sultan’s miniaturist.

The murder mystery is what got me going but at some point that becomes secondary to the world of art and the myths of Ottoman paintings. Personally, I was impatient to get to the bottom of the enigma so I struggled somewhat through the historical artwork part.

However, the satisfaction of finally putting the puzzle pieces together on the very last pages is alone worth your while.

One thing is for sure - I can’t wait to get my hands on another Pamuk novel as you can never quite know the ways in which it may surprise you.

“Try to discover who I am from my choice of words and colors, as attentive people like yourselves might examine footprints to catch a thief.”

“Painting is the silence of thought and the music of sight.”