An amazing book

It turned out to be an amazing book, but 1/4 of the way through it got a little tedious (hence 4 stars). If I had been reading and not listening to it, I might have given up, which would have been a great shame. Persevere and you'll be rewarded. A beautiful story.

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Excellent loce book

I loved everything about it. Highly recommended book. The reading is superb as well.

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Too long

The first novel I listend to by Pamuk, My Name is Red, was a masterpiece, so I was slightly comprehensive about this one. This is a story about the everlasting love, turned into all-consuming obsession, I as a reader got irritated with after listening for hours about a repeated heart pain, dinners, smoking, drinking.
If this novel were shorter, I personally would give it more stars. I know I can skip chapters, I did parts of few, but I would like not to have to do it.
John Lee's performance was impeccable, just like always. He helped me to finish it. The last long chapter was endearing again.

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Very good book, superb narration

This is an excellent book. Pamuk’s writing is simply sublime and the way he plays with his characters and their and the readers perspective is fascinating.

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Everyone has some of this story in them

I have really enjoyed this book, there are so many elements that I found to relate to. A craving for love and forgiveness.

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Pretty boring story of some sort of mental illness

Except the links to the specifics of Turkish society in the 70s and 80s, nothing really piqued my interest. Long, boring, neither plausible, nor fantastic story, written with a limited vocabulary. Kept on listening in case the genius of a Nobel literature laureate would surface but it never did :-(

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A literary masterpiece brilliantly performed

This is an unusual love story set against a vivid portrayal of Istanbul society and Turkish culture. It’s a depiction of obsessions: of love and yearning, of collecting (actually hoarding) keepsakes related to the beloved, of clinging doggedly to memories and hopes and dreams, no matter what.
The hero refuses to give up hope, and the story of his struggle is colourful, sad and heartbreaking. His love is relentless and encompasses every part of his life, seemingly to the point of delusion, perhaps madness.
He understands that in spite of her beauty and personality, his beloved has flaws, is just a woman as he is just a man. But his vision of her and of what they become together drives him on until the impossible is within reach.
This epic novel is a brilliant exploration of the human condition, which requires us to cling desperately to the illusion that happiness, our idea of happiness, in the end will be attained, or else it’s hard to know what there is to live for. We believe with him that his love is not in vain, for in the face of despair he finds a way forward.
To the author and narrator: Bravo, this is a literary masterpiece brilliantly performed.

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Great love story, beautifully read.

Best description of consuming and agonizing love I've encountered.
Provides a fascinating glimpse to Istanbul and Turkish culture in the 50ies to 70ies.
Book is further enhanced by fantastic, soulful reading by John Lee, which is only surpassed by Jeremy Irons's narration of Lolita.

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a wonderful love story of faithfulness

complex emotions captured ... orhan pamuk captures a true love story as if it was his.. with the utmost adoration to the characters that lived a love story so ordinary yet so soulful because of the faithful attention of the lover that transformed him to be her.. And his love to her has turned into a profound selflove and love for life.. I was moved by the book and by fusun and kemal that I felt deep love for my womanhood and my soul!!!

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Just simply elegant!

A book after my own heart. The language was perfect! Fusan was the object of Kemals obsessive love yet its was poignant, immersive, highly captivating. Nothing like I hv read before.

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