Book Review: The Black Book -- Orhan Pamuk (138 hits)
The Black Book -- Orhan Pamuk
Currently on Chapter 19, page 210. This story like the novel Snow is not your traditional mystery. It weaves together several levels and it is really a psychological drama. Sometimes it can be disturbing and frustrating as he style reminds me of William Faulkner's novel, The Sound and the Fury, a book that I hated. My impressions thus far:
Switched Lives One with the Beloved (Rumi) If I don't measure up then I will become you. Swallowed up -- me as an individual ceases to exist.
Each of the chapters are vignettes, slices of melancholia, a theme that repeats itself in all of Pamuk's books. Another subject is that of assimilation whether cultural or as an individual. No more originality. Pamuk is one of those authors who creates his own worlds in his books based on his own life and upbring in Istanbul, Turkey. Actually except for maybe for his book, My Name is Red, Pamuk tends to repeat the same themes, subjects and topics over and over ad naseum! Nothing new under the sun?!
This novel leaves something to be desired. However you may like the book if you enjoy nontraditional mysteries/dramas. Cavet; Pamuk tends to repeat the same overiding themes throughout all his books. Actually his best book was the non-Fiction, Istanbul, the autobiography of his life, which really made me want to visit his country. The slices of life in Instanbul were at least enjoyable. I think all non-Western or non-European cultures have since the 18th century experienced the East vs. West and/or Christianity vs Indigenous Religions debates/controvesies. The fact that Pamuk rehases this concept in each of his books does not give the reader anything different to look forward to. In fact the dialogue can try the reader's patience with all theses "hidden" meanings and sublevels. Only the names/locations of the characters change. I honestly believe that Mr. Pamuk is trying to be too "deep"!!
