I agree with the previous review that the ending left me a little disappointed. It was a fine ending for any other book, but this book deserved a little better, I thought.

Other than the plot, which held me captive most of the way though, I found it a fascinating dissection of art, and a reminder that the Western “perspective” approach with which we are all so familiar is, in fact, a fairly recent invention in the field. Interesting treatise on what it is for an artist to be possessed of talent, and how he is to go about displaying said talent. Highly recommended, but perhaps lower your expectations a little as your near the conclusion.

I loved the first 2/3 of this book – filled with delicious cultural and historical references – historical fiction at its finest – weaving in literature and art that is well known to this day.

Pamuk is an artisan!

I was a bit disappointed by the end of the book which seemed rushed, & flattened some of the otherwise 3-dimensional characters. I wanted to be held captive all the way through & was disappointed when this book’s grasp on me loosened towards the end.

Even so – I’d recommend this book – well worth an ‘OK’ ending to read the masterfully crafted mystery.

oh man is this consuming!

I’m hooked — the only thing this rich book lacks is the historical index — this book is made infinitely richer by following the pointers to world literature.

Delicious thus far!

this is a thriller set in the 17th century turkey. it’s the story of a school of miniature artists who have to work on a project commissioned by the sultan.a couple of them end up getting murdered, in the process. orhan pamuk meshes a murder mystery and the artistry of the 17th century perfectly, to set up a wonderful plot.