The White Castle
The White Castle
Book Brief
161
Novel • Fiction
Constantinople • 17th Century
1985
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk follows a young Italian academic who becomes a slave to a Turkish scholar named Hoja in the seventeenth-century Ottoman Empire. As they navigate their intertwined lives, they explore themes of identity, knowledge, and freedom, culminating in a final role reversal.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Melancholic
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
15,939 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Orhan Pamuk's The White Castle enchants with its rich historical backdrop and philosophical depth, weaving a compelling tale about identity and duality. Critics praise its intricate narrative and intellectual engagement, though some find its pacing uneven at times. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that challenges perceptions and resonates with Pamuk's unique literary voice.
Who Should Read The White Castle?
A reader who enjoys Orhan Pamuk's The White Castle likely appreciates intricate historical settings, philosophical introspection, and complex identities. Fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose or Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities may find this novel equally engaging due to its focus on the interplay of knowledge, culture, and storytelling.
15,939 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The White Castle, published in 1985, is often credited with launching Orhan Pamuk's international career, eventually leading to him winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.
Orhan Pamuk originally wrote The White Castle in Turkish, and the English translation by Victoria Holbrook helped the novel gain recognition outside Turkey.
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The novel explores themes of identity and duality, which are recurring subjects in Pamuk's work, reflecting his interest in the interaction between Western and Eastern cultures.
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161
Novel • Fiction
Constantinople • 17th Century
1985
Adult
18+ years
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