MsB’s Reviews > My Name Is Red > Status Update

Just over halfway and I’m still really enjoying the philosophical sparring between the miniaturists. The debates about art, divinity, style, and influence are where this truly comes alive for me. I’m less convinced by the marriage subplot, though I’m starting to wonder if Şeküre is playing a far more strategic game than the men around her. 🤔

It’s undeniably long, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the philosophical posturing of the miniaturists. The debates about art, style, divinity, and influence are where this really sings for me. The murder plot feels almost secondary to the aesthetic argument, and I’m quite happy about that.

Enjoying this so far. The rotating narrators are introduced clearly each time, which helps keep everything straight, and there’s a wonderful haughtiness to some of them that I’m finding quite entertaining. It’s definitely experimental and a little weird, but very controlled. The meta commentary on art and perspective, especially through the recurring Layla and Majnun story, is genuinely clever.