---
title: My Name is Red (Book)
slug: my-name-is-red-book-3f14d
url: /detay/my-name-is-red-book-3f14d
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: My Name is Red (Book)
  type: article
  disambiguation: Orhan Pamuk's masterpiece, set in 16th-century Istanbul.  Murder, art, and faith collide in this captivating novel.
  categories:
    - name: General Knowledge
      slug: genel-kultur
      url: /kategori/genel-kultur
    - name: Literature
      slug: edebiyat
      url: /kategori/edebiyat
    - name: History
      slug: tarih
      url: /kategori/tarih
  tags:
    - Murder Mystery
    - Postmodern Novel
    - Miniature Art
    - Ottoman Istanbul
    - Orhan Pamuk
author: Emirhan Fındık
created_at: 2025-05-13T14:56:03.651950+03:00
updated_at: 2025-05-17T13:55:31.137946+03:00
image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/13/eJs2akcV7EEHKPQXShhQvpPvXpZwvOEU.webp
---

# My Name is Red (Book)

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "My Name is Red (Book)" -->

## KURE Information Cards

### KURE Information Card: My Name is Red

![mPgwrez3x28LrDnkSUh063luEul9ewp2.webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/13/dgxXd67lPylwbeYEekzMKS9p8YMCXDXX.webp)

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Publisher(s) | Faber & Faber |
| Publication Date(Text) | 2011 |
| Number of Pages(Text) | 720 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Author(s) | Orhan Pamuk |
| ISBN 10 | 0571268838 |
| ISBN 13 | 9780571268832 |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "My Name is Red (Book)" -->

## Article Content

[My Name is Red](/en/detay/my-name-is-red-book-d9e48/llms.txt) is one of the most famous novels by Nobel Prize-winning author [Orhan Pamuk](/en/detay/orhan-pamuk-750831/llms.txt). The novel is set in 16th-century Ottoman [Istanbul](/en/detay/istanbul-hatirasi-kitap/llms.txt) and centres around art, love, faith, and murder. It is a novel written in a postmodern style, in which history and fiction are intertwined. It also contains deep references to the art of miniature.

### **Plot**

The novel is set in 16th-century Ottoman Istanbul and centres around a murder committed amongst the master craftsmen working on a secret book for the [Sultan](/en/detay/shah-sultan-book-3b561/llms.txt). The characters, searching for the murderer of their master Zarif, enter into a deep philosophical interrogation through the conflict between East-West art, religious prohibitions, love, and jealousy. The novel presents a multi-layered story about the meaning of art, the dilemma of originality and imitation through the perspectives of unusual narrators such as a dead man, a dog, a gold coin, and even the colour "red".

### **Cast of Characters**

**Black (Kara):** The protagonist, a miniaturist who returns to Istanbul after twelve years away in Persia. He is in love with his cousin, Shekure, and becomes involved in the investigation of a murder.

**Shekure:** Enishte's beautiful and strong-willed daughter, with whom [Black](/en/detay/black-book-book-805b5/llms.txt) is deeply in love. She is a widow with two sons and navigates the complexities of love and family in a patriarchal society.

**Esther:** A Jewish peddler and matchmaker who helps carry messages between lovers, including Black and Shekure.

**Master Osman:** The head of the Sultan's workshop of miniaturists. He is a traditionalist and resistant to the new Venetian style.

**Butterfly:** One of the three miniaturists suspected of the murders. He is known for painting figures of Death and the Melancholy Woman.

**Stork:** Another of the suspect miniaturists, famous for his depictions of trees and dogs.

**Olive:** The third suspect, miniaturist, who paints Satan and dervishes.

### **Target Audience**

The book offers content for lovers of historical novels, art history, and especially for those interested in miniature art.

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "My Name is Red (Book)" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. AbeBooks. Cover image ofMy Name Is Redby Orhan Pamuk (Faber & Faber, 2011 edition). Digital image. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.abebooks.com/9780571268832/Name-Red-Pamuk-Orhan-0571268838/plp.
2. Pamuk, Orhan. My Name Is Red. Translated by Erdağ M. Göknar. London: Faber & Faber, 2011.