My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk, Erdağ M. Göknar (Translator)

​We will meet for a discussion of the book My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk, Erdağ M. Göknar (Translator)

​From the publisher: Set in 16th-century Istanbul, My Name Is Red is a lush, postmodern murder mystery that explores the tension between traditional Islamic art and the rising influence of Western perspective. The story follows a group of master miniaturists commissioned by the Sultan to secretly illuminate a book in the European style—an act considered blasphemous by many within the guild. When one of the artists is found murdered, the narrative transforms into a philosophical "whodunnit." The novel is famously told through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, with chapters narrated not only by the human characters but also by the color red, a coin, a tree, and even the corpse itself, creating a meta-fictional exploration of identity, art, and the soul.

​Beyond the central mystery, Pamuk uses the conflict between the East and West to examine how cultural shifts redefine one's worldview. Erdağ M. Göknar’s translation captures the intricate, lyrical prose of the original Turkish, maintaining the scholarly depth of the artistic debates while preserving the emotional urgency of a forbidden romance. As the characters navigate the rigid structures of the Ottoman Empire, the book asks profound questions about whether an artist’s style is an expression of their unique self or a betrayal of divine perfection. It is a dense, rewarding work that functions simultaneously as a historical thriller, a deep dive into Islamic aesthetics, and a meditation on the nature of truth.

​Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.