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The Black Book
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
8 posts | 7 read | 13 to read
The Black Book is a stunning tapestry of Middle Eastern and Islamic culture which confirms Orhan Pamuk's reputation as a writer of international stature, comparable to Borges and Calvino. Galip is an Istanbul lawyer, and his wife, Ruya, has vanished. Could she be hiding out with her half brother, Jelal, a newspaper columnist whose fame Galip envies? And if so, why isn't anyone in Jelal's flat? As Galip plays the part of private investigator, he assumes the identity of Jelal himself, wearing his clothes, answering his phone calls, even faking his wry columns, which he passes off as the work of the missing journalist. But the amateur sleuth bungles his undercover operation, and with dire consequences. Richly atmospheric and Rabelaisian in scope, The Black Book is a labyrinthine novel suffused with the sights, sounds, and scents of Istanbul. An unforgettable evocation of the city where East meets West, The Black Book is a boldly unconventional mystery that plumbs the elusive nature of identity, fiction, interpretation, and reality.
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review
Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t connect to the story, and I think that this book is an example of a 'good book at the wrong time'. I wasn‘t prepared for the complexity of the story, which requires a reader with strong concentration and dedication. So why pick? The metaphysical aspect of the whole story is interesting, well presented, and I did enjoyed in dynamic structure and rich, contemplative prose with which author managed to created a very melancholic atmosphere.

Simona Food in the picture is variation (very popular in my part of the world) of Turkish dish Gözleme - flat bread with minced meat. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gözleme 7y
alisiakae Is that lepinja? Yum!! 7y
See All 16 Comments
batsy Great review! I look forward to reading more Pamuk. And that looks delicious. 7y
Simona @4thhouseontheleft 😁Yes it is. Lepinja s čevapčiči in kajmakom 😋😋😋 7y
Simona Thanks😊 @batsy 7y
ephemeralwaltz Great review!! 7y
alisiakae Now I‘m hungry! We have a lovely small, family owned restaurant near where I live that is owned by a Bosnian couple. I go there whenever I get a craving for cevapi! 7y
Litlady Wonderful review! 👍 You've inspired me to read more Pamuk. 😊📚 I think I'll try The Red-Haired Woman next. I've heard it's one of his easier reads. I tackled 'Snow' years ago for my local book group and his novels do require a lot of concentration and patience to get through. The food looks divine, too! Yum!! 😋🤗 7y
Simona @4thhouseontheleft Whenever I‘m not in the mood for cocking I usually order lepinjo from near restaurant. I think it is the most famous dish from Bosnia, or at least, the most common here in Slovenia. 7y
Simona Thank you @ephemeralwaltz 😘 7y
Simona @Litlady Thank you ☺️ For his works you definitely need to be prepared and to know what to expect. The Red-Haired Women is still on my ‘waiting list‘. 7y
Dolly I love your detailed, wonderfully helpful review! 👏💖 7y
Simona @Dolly Thank you for your kind words ☺️😘 7y
AceOnRoam He is a difficult author to read isn't he. I've been eating so much gözleme lately😊😊😊 7y
Simona @AceOnRoam He is difficult, but at the same time very delightful author to read ... when you are in the right mindset. 7y
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quote
Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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#spark for #quotsyFeb18 from my current read.
I like Pamuk‘s prose and I usually like his thoughtful, slow stories, but I don‘t feel this one ...

batsy Is My Name is Red one of his books you've read/enjoyed? I'm reading it now and in love. 7y
Simona @batsy Yes it is. I also liked The Museum of Innocence and A Strangeness in My Mind, and all of them have the same melancholy vibe with dense, rich, very descriptive, vivid prose and some loose connections in the stories ... as The Black Book have, so no surprises here... but I can‘t connect to the story. I very enjoy in the prose, but that‘s all 🤷‍♀️ 7y
batsy That's such a shame, it's got a great concept. Good to know about the others you enjoyed, I'll add them to the list about what to read next by Pamuk. 7y
Simona @batsy I assume that is just a case of ‘good book at the wrong time‘ 😞 7y
60 likes4 comments
blurb
Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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#MomentsInLife My neighbor at the next table ...

JoScho I love birds. They are so cute and seem happy all the time. 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled That is so charming! I can‘t help but give them breadcrumbs when they show up at my table! 7y
knittedgnome What a cute friend! 7y
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LauraBeth Awww - I love little sparrows ❤️ 7y
Tamra 😍 (edited) 7y
TommieMarie74 Love! So much loving this!! ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
LeahBergen ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
Simona @JoScho @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @knittedgnome @LauraBeth @Tamra @TommieMarie74 @LeahBergen I also like these tiny creatures and it‘s always delightful to watch them, but the waiter wasn‘t happy with their visit ☹️ 7y
Faibka 😍😍😍 7y
80 likes9 comments
blurb
Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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#MomentsInLife Mulled🍷➕📚

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Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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#MomentsInLife 🚞➕📚

batsy Beautiful photo! 7y
Simona @batsy It‘s freezing cold outside, but looks very nice (if you are in warm room) .... (edited) 7y
batsy Icy landscapes are always better seen from a warm room 😁 7y
78 likes3 comments
blurb
Abailliekaras
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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A great book. #black #rocktober day 25

Cinfhen I haven‘t read him yet but I own a few of his books! 7y
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blurb
Cat_with_glasses
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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For every one book I finish, two new ones are added to my to-read pile.

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Simona
The Black Book | Orhan Pamuk
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Book from the 90's for which I didn't even know that I have it😳. I can see from the blurb that this should be Postmodern Mystery!? Another reason why I like these challenges - to see what is on my shelves...

#photoadaynov16 #publishedinthe1990s

Abailliekaras I love Orhan Pamuk! So rich and intricate. ❤️ 8y
Simona @Abailliekaras I like his stories too, but I completely forgot about this book 🤗 8y
Litlady Read Snow a few years back for my women's book group. Adding and will offer this up to the group to re-visit his writing. Thanks! 😊📚 8y
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slhbooks I know I have 2 of his books - Snow and ??? You're right! Time to see what I have on my shelves📚📚📚 8y
Simona @Litlady But don't blame me if your book group will not be pleased with the selection 😉 8y
Simona @slhbooks Yes, it's nice when you're surprised😁 8y
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