I completely disagree with you about Elif Safak Orhan Pamuk comparision. Orhan Pamuk has more subtance and the story is very well crafted, Simply because Orhan Pamuk is a hard worker. He spends huge amount of time crafting his novels. He said that he spent 10 years with masumiyet muzesi. He even had to research about history of museums to have a better knowledge about them.
Elif Safak spent only 6 months with Iskender. I think she was much much better in Pinhan and Bastard of Istanbul. Infact, Pinhan was the best for me.
A good writer is a talented gift and it is not always necessary to spend 10 years on research. Nor is it someone who has studied writing or literature. I happen to like Elif Shafak and suggest you to read a few of her other books - The Flea Palace was a a great book about an old apartment building in Istanbul - it gave both the strength and weakness of each family/person who lived in the building.
The forty Rules of Love that combined Rumi was another heart touching and thought evoking book.
Honour is her latest book which is being delivered to me ( hopefully today ) I will let you know about that one when I have read it.
The Bastard of Istanbul was another great book which brought attention to Armenian history in Istanbul on top of other delicate subjects like incest again
Every writer has their own rhythm style. Her writing is active you are moving about as if it was part of your own day whereas with Pamuk you will begin to resent what you read because it is full of air................ long winded like a fart . I am not saying he does not appeal to me as a writer I have read his other books . Just that particular book was horrible, over written and long winded.
Edited (10/11/2013) by Kelowna
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