~~~My Name Is Black~~~. Review on My Name is Red - Orhan Pamuk

2006, Nobel Prize Winner Orhan Pamuk's 1998 Turkish novel My Name is Red is a detailed analysis of the world of painters through which the novelist tries to see the world. Like many other nobel-prize winners, Orhan too looks into the society, its politics, religion and social living through which the writer tries to paint a closer to reality picture. This doesn't leave the philosophy of life in astray.

The novel is more like a murder mystery; however what makes it different is the life perspective the author delivers. Elegant Effendi, a talented miniaturist been killed by a colleague. Black, a young warrior with talent in art was in love with Shekure, the daughter of Enishte Effendi from who Elegant was working for. To win Shekure, Black has to find who is the culprit; knowing that the shades of doubts are even falling on him.

The novel's plus point is that it has a life vision; a detailed one. Life observations by the author are amazing and that makes the book different. The minus of the book is that it goes too wide with detailing of painting and its Turkish/Asian/European history and many stories associated with. True, through this detailed narration the author tries to portray what a real art should be and why a true artist will be turned blind before drawing his master piece, at the cost of the books reach to the masses.

Building up of characters is amazing and the love story angle (though little delayed), was developed well. The author calls for liberation of thoughts of individuals, religion, states etc., however, often lose focus and makes a cocktail of itself. The book is definitely not a light hearted read, for that reason all children and soft reading woman and man are advised to avoid this book. Also, if you are a Muslim and not ready to look into matters in a third party perspective, my advice is: better avoid this book.

The novel is a perfect example of the creativity of the writer. The author tries to narrate the story and many stories through different perspective. For example, the very first chapter is been narrated from the point of view of the dead body. You can see a Gold coin tells its autobiography, a horse, many characters, a picture - the author tries to give the perspective from different angles.

The beginning is interesting and the climax is superb. Then, one should have the patience to stand many slog overs for that matter there are many in between.

My Name is Red, is definitely not a master piece but a creative writing by a talented writer who has a life vision from his observations. It tries to tell what an art is and in the process makes the readers think. By achieving this, the author has achieved a purpose but restricting the reach for the selected people. If you feel you are the selected, go and read your share of 'My Name Is Red'.