Helpful Score: 7
Beautifully written and translated from Turkish. It is about a poet who returns to his homeland -- an area subject to invasion from all sorts of neighboring governments and regimes. The language itself is pure poetry. The aching of the characters is clear throughout. Excellent book. I'm better for having read it.
Helpful Score: 5
I really hated to give up, but I just couldn't hang in there any longer. Just when I was beginning to think maybe I was catching on, I''d move on to the next paragraph only to discover I was just as lost as I'd been a few pages before. On the other hand, there was something magical and dreamlike about the way I kept getting drawn into the narrative which is why I kept reading even though I was totally bewildered (much like being in a dream.) And I very much liked the way Pamuk kept using the image of the snow that kept falling and falling and falling so tranquilly while at the same time so much violence was taking place. That being said, I have a hard time sticking with books that make me feel uncomfortable about not being able to understand what's going on. And this was definitely one of those books. It made me feel like I needed someone much more clever and erudite than I to give me some hints. I guess I'm getting to old to spend my time trying to figure out books that baffle me. There are are too many other ones waiting on my TBR list.
Helpful Score: 5
This is a beautifully written book, with a flowing, poetic style. The fact that it's translated from Turkish speaks to the skill of the translator. It will pull you in to the story and open your eyes to a completely different city, culture, and political system. This may be the best book I've read this year.
Helpful Score: 3
I found this book fascinating. It gives an interesting view of modern-day Turkey and the conflict between religion and nationalism. Beautifully written.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a difficult but important read. The book exposed me to Turkish life and culture--not something we read a lot about here in the U.S.