Book Review: My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk

            This book has everything. There’s murder, romance, thrills, suspense, betrayal, love, friendship, deceit, and the list goes on. Its probably one of the only novels I have read that encompasses so many different themes.

            This is set in 1590’s Istanbul, and Pamuk’s writing style shines here as you get such spicy and evocative prose, its almost like you can smell the spices and experience the heat of the Turkish sun. A murder mystery begins the novel and things unfold from there. An illustrator of beautiful and elaborate books is thrown into a well, which sets a whole series of events into motion that sustains a 500-page rollercoaster of a novel. Each chapter chops and changes between each different character’s perspectives, so the story is interestingly and cleverly built up from all perspectives like a 3D puzzle. This really is great, great writing displayed at its best here. it’s a super ride and there is something for everyone.

My Name is Blurb:

            “In Istanbul, in the late 1590s, the Sultan commissions a great book: a celebration of his life and his empire, to be illuminated by the best artists of the day – in the European manner. But when one of the miniaturists is murdered, their master has to seek outside help. Did the dead painter fall victim to professional rivalry, romantic jealousy or religious terror?

            A thrilling murder mystery, My Name is Red is also a stunning mediation on love, artistic devotion and the tensions between the East and West.”