Mimar Sinan'in Kayip Kafatasi

by Hakan Sökmen

Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Armin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(English review below)

Do ove knjige sam došao na pomalo neočekivan način. Knjigu mi je preporučila prodavačica u knjižari. Ja je ne bih sam vjerovatno ni primijetio na polici. Naslovnica je skromna i ne privlači posebnu pažnju, a ime autora mi je bilo potpuno nepoznato. Međutim, pokazalo se da su moje početne sumnje bile potpuno neopravdane.

Već nakon nekoliko stranica, roman me je potpuno zaokupio. Misterija koja se razvija podsjeća na avanture poznatih lovaca na blago i tajne poput Nathana Drakea, Indiane Jonesa ili Roberta Langdona, ali smještena u jedinstven historijski i kulturni kontekst koji joj daje poseban čar.
Knjiga nije bez mana. Tempo primjetno opada u trećoj četvrtini, gdje se naracija usporava do te mjere da čitalac može izgubiti zamah koji je autor lijepo izgradio u prvom dijelu. Zadnja četvrtina, međutim, to nadoknađuje i vraća priču u ubrzani ritam koji drži pažnju do samog kraja. Ili skoro do kraja, jer završetak je potpuno otvoren za interpretaciju, što je, moram priznati, bila moja najveća zamjerka. Razrješenje koje sam priželjkivao jednostavno nije stiglo.

Imam i jednu specifičnu zamjerku vezanu za određene dijelove teksta. Kada glavni lik čita zabilješke Mimara Sinana, ili kada se citiraju odlomci iz svetih knjiga, jezik postaje arhaičan i teži za praćenje u odnosu na ostatak romana. Ovo je u nekoliko navrata narušavalo tok čitanja i izbacivalo me iz ritma koji je autor inače vješto održavao.

Ono što knjizi nedostaje jeste dubina u razvoju likova. Stječe se dojam da je roman napisan brzim tempom, što s jedne strane čini čitanje lakim i tečnim, ali s druge strane znači da likovi ostaju donekle plitki. Zbog toga mi je bilo teško da se emotivno povežem s njima, što je vjerovatno i razlog zašto me završetak nije pogodio onoliko koliko je mogao.

Uprkos svemu, "Izgubljena lobanja Mimara Sinana" je zaista zanimljiv spoj misterije, historije, religije, avanture i ljubavi. Religijska tematika je prisutna i ponekad direktna, ali ne do te mjere da postane nametljiva. Mislim da je ovo autorova prva knjiga i smatram da se radi o impresivnom debiju. Moja ocjena je 4.3/5 i već jedva čekam da pročitam njegovu drugu knjigu, "Ključ sudnjeg dana".

I came across this book in a rather unexpected way. A bookstore clerk recommended it to me, which was surprising, as I probably would never have noticed it on the shelf myself. The cover is modest and does not particularly draw the eye, and the author's name was completely unknown to me. However, my initial doubts turned out to be entirely unwarranted.
Within just a few pages, the novel had me completely hooked. The mystery that unfolds is reminiscent of the adventures of famous treasure hunters and secret-seekers like Nathan Drake, Indiana Jones, or Robert Langdon, yet it is set within a unique historical and cultural context that gives it a distinctive charm of its own.

The book is not without its flaws. The pacing noticeably drops in the third quarter, where the narrative slows down enough that a reader can lose the momentum the author built so well in the first part. The final quarter, however, makes up for this and brings the story back to an energetic pace that holds the reader's attention almost until the very end. Almost, because the ending is left completely open to interpretation, which was, I must admit, my biggest complaint. The feeling is a bit like having an itch on your back in a spot that is just out of reach: the whole process of scratching is satisfying, but when you finally get to that spot, you stop abruptly. The resolution I had hoped for simply never came.

I also have a specific criticism regarding certain passages in the text. When the main character reads the notes of Mimar Sinan, or when excerpts from holy texts are quoted, the language becomes archaic and harder to follow compared to the rest of the novel. On several occasions, this disrupted the flow of reading and pulled me out of the rhythm the author otherwise maintained so skillfully.
What the book lacks is depth in its character development. It gives the impression of having been written at a fast pace, which on one hand makes for easy and fluid reading, but on the other hand means the characters remain somewhat shallow. Because of this, I found it difficult to form an emotional connection with them, which is likely why the ending did not resonate with me as deeply as it could have.

Despite all of this, "The Lost Skull of Mimar Sinan" is a genuinely entertaining blend of mystery, history, religion, adventure, and romance. The religious themes are present and at times quite direct, but never to the point of feeling intrusive. If this is the author's first book, it is an impressive debut. My rating is 4.3/5 and I am already looking forward to reading his second book, "The Key of Judgement Day".

[Sinem Guzelce · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new hero :)I finished the book in 2 days,easy to follow ,full with history !
Will go for the 2nd book for sure

[Amina Kucuk-Ovcina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ovo je bila patnja.

[Nehir Engin · Rating 2 out of 5]

maalesef okul için okumuştum