Customer Rating: 
Summary: I am a reader!
Comment: "My name is Red" is the third novel I've read so far from Orhan Pamuk, but after finishing the Black Book and reading the first page of this one, he became my favorite living author! Of course as an Iranian, I was privileged compared to other readers, as I already knew many of the stories mentioned in the book (like the story of Khusrov and Shirin, or Rostam and Sohrab, and many of other Ferdowsi's "The book of the kings" stories). Plus, I was also familiar with the Persian painting and Miniature and the work of painters like Bihzad (who halt the time!).
"My name is Red" is not a simple read, so please don't choose it if you're looking for reading a fun murder mystery! Still, its complexity is much less than many of Pamuk's other novels. This one is not all poetic philosophy...it has a clear plot, action, even a few dialogues! Plus, I found that by changing the point of view from chapter to chapter, as a reader I felt empathy and a true understanding toward each of the characters of the novel.
As expected, the beauty of Pamuk's prose and the poetry of this made-up world are breathtaking and I have to confess that I loved to explore in this labyrinth of story inside story. As if I was sharing the mysterious world of a king listening to Scheherazade's thousand and one unfinished tales.
Orhan pamuk mainly writes for lovers of true literature, so if you are one...then this book is definitely for you!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile read
Comment: It took me a while to get through, but it was a very interesting, textured book: a love story combined with a murder mystery and a complex meditation on the power of images. The writing is good, overall, but I sometimes got impatient with the philosophizing.
So I skimmed.
On the whole, though, a worthwhile read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Meandering Ride
Comment: The novel is clever rather than illuminating. For all its experimentation with structure, points of view, and language, it fails to engage. The story is meandering without leading anywhere meaningful. Its characters are found wanting in complexity and depth. In fact, the multiple narrators speak with the same voice, namely, the author's. There is a murder mystery, but it fails to excite. There is a love story, but it ignites no flame. The book poses as a psychologically complex novel rather than being one. And at four hundred odd pages, it's far too long.
Customer Rating:
Summary: My Name is Red
Comment: This used book order was delivered promptly, neatly, and in excellent shape! Thank you!
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is a book that I probably never would've read on my own.
Comment: This is a book that I probably never would've read on my own. My husband eventually succeeded in convincing me to give it a try and in the end I'm glad I did. This novel is very unique in that the story is told from the point of view of many characters. From the first chapter, titled: I AM A CORPSE, I found myself locked into the story. What I most like about this novel is that it gives you insight into the Muslim world. Living in a western culture and coming from a Christian background it can be hard to find a sympathetic look into the Muslim world in these anti-Muslim times. I often found myself thinking at night after reading about the characters motives and the constraints that religion puts on society. This book is not just a murder mystery but a commentary on art, religion, and society. I definitely finished this book different from when I started it. The only thing that keeps me from giving this novel 5 stars is that near the end the story starts to feel to long. Other than that, it is a wonderful read.
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