My Name Is Red/YMMV

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


  • Genius Bonus: The novel is full of references to Middle Eastern history and literature, as well as the theology of Islam. Though widely known in the Middle East itself, much of this is rather esoteric for Western readers.
  • True Art Is Ancient: Many characters see older art as being superior, which is one of the reasons there is such a hostile reaction to European influences.
  • True Art Is Incomprehensible: Significant portions of the book show how European art is based on fundamentally different assumptions than is Middle Eastern art. As an example, miniaturists strive to avoid individualistic styles (though they might insert key elements that would only be recognized by a chosen few), and the idea of an artist signing his work is arrogance at best, and blasphemy at worst.
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