The Museum of Innocence
2 journalers for this copy...
"It was the happiest moment of my life, though I didn't know it." And because he didn't recognize it till it was over, Kemal spends the next 9 years obsessively trying to recapture every detail of that love.
Kemal is a wealthy businessman who falls in love with a poor shopgirl, when he is engaged to an aristocratic girl more equal to his socio-economic status. Instead of moving on from this fling, Kemal's fixation compels him to collect memorabilia associated with his beloved: a lipstick-stained cigarette butt, an earring, a handkerchief, a teacup, a paperweight... slowly amassing enough to fill a museum.
I can see how this book is not everyone's cup of tea. You can say Kemal is immature, self-centered, narcissistic, that the romance isn't a true love but an infatuation, and the story is too slow, but I simply was swept away in the brilliant, sensual writing, the keen observation, and all that makes me understand what makes Orhan Pamuk one of the best writers of our time.
BTW, as suggested in the last chapters of the story, the museum is real. Pamuk did build a Museum of Innocence and you can visit it for free with the ticket in this book. I've never been to Istanbul, but if I ever visit this would be a must-see. As the trip is so distinct in the future, and I likely won't want to carry a book around just to save some admission, this book, along with the museum ticket, will go into the Around the World bookbox to find a new reader.
If you wish to take a look at the museum and see if you recognize some of the artifacts mentioned in the book:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20150112-turkeys-most-creative-daring-idea
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KAVxIqBekvaEKw
https://everybodyhatesatourist.net/a-visit-to-the-museum-of-innocence-in-istanbul-turkey/
Kemal is a wealthy businessman who falls in love with a poor shopgirl, when he is engaged to an aristocratic girl more equal to his socio-economic status. Instead of moving on from this fling, Kemal's fixation compels him to collect memorabilia associated with his beloved: a lipstick-stained cigarette butt, an earring, a handkerchief, a teacup, a paperweight... slowly amassing enough to fill a museum.
I can see how this book is not everyone's cup of tea. You can say Kemal is immature, self-centered, narcissistic, that the romance isn't a true love but an infatuation, and the story is too slow, but I simply was swept away in the brilliant, sensual writing, the keen observation, and all that makes me understand what makes Orhan Pamuk one of the best writers of our time.
BTW, as suggested in the last chapters of the story, the museum is real. Pamuk did build a Museum of Innocence and you can visit it for free with the ticket in this book. I've never been to Istanbul, but if I ever visit this would be a must-see. As the trip is so distinct in the future, and I likely won't want to carry a book around just to save some admission, this book, along with the museum ticket, will go into the Around the World bookbox to find a new reader.
If you wish to take a look at the museum and see if you recognize some of the artifacts mentioned in the book:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20150112-turkeys-most-creative-daring-idea
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KAVxIqBekvaEKw
https://everybodyhatesatourist.net/a-visit-to-the-museum-of-innocence-in-istanbul-turkey/
Caught in the return of the Around the World Bookbox, representing Asia / Turkey. Thanks!
I read this author many years ago and didn't enjoy his book "Snow" but I'm open to a 2nd try because there can be many reasons why my first impression may not carry over. I look forward to a new and better experience.
I read this author many years ago and didn't enjoy his book "Snow" but I'm open to a 2nd try because there can be many reasons why my first impression may not carry over. I look forward to a new and better experience.
I really enjoyed some of the lush descriptive passages and they were the main attraction of this book. I was sometimes bored almost to tears by the plot, the main character's obsession with trivialities, and what felt like a childish obsession which didn't really acknowledge Fusun's personality or autonomy.
I'm really intrigued by the idea that the author created an actual museum to go along with the book, and I enjoyed reading the articles - thanks, Azuki, for posting those links!
I loved the ending and am really glad that I persisted to complete it, returning again and again after weeks of not touching the book.
This will be my final book for Europe in this year's 666 for 2022 Around the World Reading Challenge, leaving me needing just 2 South American books to finish the challenge.
I'm really intrigued by the idea that the author created an actual museum to go along with the book, and I enjoyed reading the articles - thanks, Azuki, for posting those links!
I loved the ending and am really glad that I persisted to complete it, returning again and again after weeks of not touching the book.
This will be my final book for Europe in this year's 666 for 2022 Around the World Reading Challenge, leaving me needing just 2 South American books to finish the challenge.
