This book is a murder mystery set in the world of Ottoman miniature painting and in my opinion really gets into the mind and heart of a miniature painter. It’s as if the author Orhan Pamuk himself has the soul of a miniature painter and it spoke directly to me. There is even some interesting technical info to be gleaned from the book. Has anyone read this book? (I highly recommend!) I actually wanted to set up a book club for books and writing related to painting as it really got me thinking. Many of the forum Context topics arose from reading this book and thinking about eastern and western painting styles, and how they are, in fact (for me at least, and as I get older and discover more about them and go deeper into the artistic mind) points on a continuum, rather than a ‘versus’. This is my most recent thought.
Castiglione might help with this thinking.
Re-reading through the book for the umpteenth time (as I do with works I really love; I fine-comb them slowly and allow myself to stop and meditate on aspects that invite sitting and dwelling), I have come up with a few of these ‘dwelling points’ which I’d like to open up for discussion here (and then possibly longer conversations which can turn into topics for the monthly live Zoom meets and then a real-world miniature painting conference in London, once global travel has opened up).
Spoiler alert - maybe read the book first before reading further!
I know, I know... it sucks you in to this fascinating world and it won't let you go in a hurry! I've convinced 2 other people to read it hopefully so we can tentatively start to talk about the first chapter next week for the monthly meeting....? Or save till January. However you like.
On that note, I also recommend reading The Spirit of Indian Painting by Goswamy. It's just brilliant and on the 'must-have' list I now recommend!
Have been reading this book veeeery slowly....a few pages (maybe a chapter) over breakfast. I'm about halfway in and have just gotten to the first plot twist and I'm dying to talk about it with someone! the themes.....the imagery....it's very rich.
Ok, have finally gotten about 50 pages into this book, and it's fascinating! I love how every chapter jumps to a different perspective -- the miniaturist, his beloved, the washerwoman who delivers a message, the tree -- it's almost like going around on a miniature painting when you are fleshing out the details.
I am so excited for you to read it!
ooh....I have just ordered this book! looks interesting