Somehow doesn't quite hit the mark - Rated 
Much like some of your other recent reviewers, I was expecting to really enjoy this book but it was just so slow. I see that Jason Goodwin is a historian originally and this reads exactly like a history book of 19th century Istanbul with a bit of a story layered on top. The atmosphere and history are indeed fascinating but I'd had enough by the middle of the book and I think he needs to up his pace a little (or a lot!). An interesting idea for a central character however and definite potential for the future.
Turkish Delight - Rated 
Let me start by saying this is a jolly good read - and a great book to take on holiday to a Turkish beach, especially if you are off on a trip to Istanbul as part of your visit.
I read it within three days of starting it - I was quickly dragged into the story and the pace builds up to a nice `want to know' ending.
If you are 'into' the Historical detective story, this is almost as good as it gets. Plenty of historically accurate detail - the sort of `everyday detail' needed to spice up the story - food, clothing, buildings.
And the essential characters are there: The not quite accepted by anyone `detective'; the manipulative bad-guy; an exotic beautiful temptress; and a tart-with-a-heart with a difference (one of my favourite characters I have to say).
What this is is firmly `escapist' - but with a slightly educational twist - I did get a sense of what Istanbul must have been like, and a sense of the origins of the modern Turkish dilemma between secularism and tradition. If at times the writing felt too worthy, it only lasted a short time and we were soon back chasing fire-raisers through the seedy streets.
This is not Orhan Pamuk - but it isn't meant to be.
Pleasant but too slow paced - Rated 
The story is slightly too convoluted for me, with a lot of political implications. The athmospheres of 19th century Istambul are fascinating, as is the central charachter, Yashim, yet I found the pace of the story a little too slow, and not as gripping as I was expecting.
Nice travelogue, poorly developed characters. - Rated
If you love Istanbul, you'll enjoy the deft way the author weaves in the many memorable and meaningful sights, sounds, and smells of the city in to this second-rate mystery. He is obviously in love with the Ottoman Empire and with Turkish Istanbul -- Constantinople to the Greeks who founded Byzantium 15 centuries earlier. He is cheap with praise for any precursor to the Turkish achievements in Istanbul, incorrectly implying that they sprang up, full grown, over night (and by their own efforts). I guess novelists don't have to be concerned with truth. The Turks are all talented, smart, and cultured; everyone else is not. The characters in general are two dimensional. The significance of Yashim as a eunuch, for example, is never really clear. Why? What does it mean? How is he able to fulfill his role, his destiny, better or worse as a result of this fact? And of course there is no mention of the legendary cruelty that the Turks showed toward their minorities (and still do). Still, for those who love history in this part of the world, it is an interesting read.
just couldnt get into this... - Rated
Just couldnt get into this. On paper, in theory, it has all the things I love, but I just couldnt get into it. Mainly it seemed because although the novel is set in 19th century Istanbul, the sensibility, the whole personna of the leading character, the dialogue, everything in fact just seemed so unmistakably 2007. I just knew I was reading a cleverly written book by a contemporary author. And then all the names which just keep appearing from nowhere. I didnt feel that I should have footnotes to help me as some readers felt; the historical aspect seemed very well explained, but...
I wouldnt recommend it
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