Chosen by Wendy
The Architect's Apprentice is a dazzling and intricate tale from Elif Shafak, bestselling author of The Bastard of Istanbul.
'There were six of us: the master, the apprentices and the white elephant. We built everything together...'
Sixteenth century Istanbul: a stowaway arrives in the city bearing an extraordinary gift for the Sultan. The boy is utterly alone in a foreign land, with no worldly possessions to his name except Chota, a rare white elephant destined for the palace menagerie.
So begins an epic adventure that will see young Jahan rise from lowly origins to the highest ranks of the Sultan's court. Along the way he will meet deceitful courtiers and false friends, gypsies, animal tamers, and the beautiful, mischievous Princess Mihrimah. He will journey on Chota's back to the furthest corners of the Sultan's kingdom and back again. And one day he will catch the eye of the royal architect, Sinan, a chance encounter destined to change Jahan's fortunes forever.
Filled with all the colour of the Ottoman Empire, when Istanbul was the teeming centre of civilisation, The Architect's Apprentice is a magical, sweeping tale of one boy and his elephant caught up in a world of wonder and danger.
Caroline The Summariser
Pat The Word Master - Sultana
Angela The Passage Person
Wendy The Connector
Tracey The Host
Absolutely loved this book. Elif Shafak is a great story teller and her descriptive prose brought the Ottoman period beautifully to life. You almost felt like a spectator, watching Jahan’s journey through life, such was her ability to tell a story. It reminded me of A Thousand Splendid Suns for this reason.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting historical facts around the Ottoman Empire, 16th century Istanbul and all the architecture (I’d love to visit Istanbul now). Shafak cleverly wove her story amongst this rich history, mapping out Jahan’s coming and going of age journey, which was touchingly told. The plot had many interesting and unsuspecting turns, centering mostly around Jahan’s love for Chota and Mihrimah, but embellished with great mini-plots about the palace, labourers, eunuchs and gypsies, like some exotic feast.
I really liked the way Shafak uses the metaphor for the building of great monuments at the end of her novel to the idea of God’s own Dome, with humanity building their own lives under it, for better or worse. Spellbinding! Angela 10/10
Just finished this epic well written book which was so descriptive you felt you were alongside Jahan. Really enjoyed watching him grow up and become successful. Sad he didn't find a wife until much later but seemed he was very busy as an architect. Loved how the relationship between him and Chota was portrayed and that the gypsy Balakan helping him out of a few tight spots. The character of Silan, like a father figure and how important he was in the city, the go to man for all buildings. Was surprised about the accidents being caused by the nursemaid-a woman scorned....We learnt more about the other apprentices later but would have liked more about these. A great read 9/10
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading this book. Simple to pick up where you left off, lots of mini chapters. A story of love between Jahan and Chota, Jahan and Miriaham(sp), Jahan and Sinan, Jahan and Balaban... A shame he struggled throughout with various events/people against him but in the end he found contentment,strength of character and a wife 66 years younger than him!Overall a good book I would recommend 9/10
ReplyDeleteJust finished....!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know much about the Ottoman Empire but this story really brought it to life. As Angela commented its along the lines of 1000 following a boy to old age but the author admits to modifying dates and events to improve the narrative which works well.
I loved Chota, the gypsies and Jahan's contented ending with his young wife. Minor issue-I felt the plot to discredit Sinan and get rid of Jahan was too twisted to be credible.
Overall a great sweeping historical story written in an engaging style 8/10
Struggled to get into this and found myself scanning quite a few pages - the animal cruelty not pleasant reading, also the foreign historic quite heavy-going! However, about 2/3 of the way through, pace picks up and speed-read through to the end, as Jahan, the main character, who has risen from the rank of lowly elephant mahout from India (though sadly the lovely elephant, Chota, dies though, with relief, not from cruelty but old age after a pretty good life!), to a highly esteemed and devoted architect in the Ottoman Sultan's kingdom, now faces treachery and danger which culminates in an exciting escape from Istanbul after almost a lifetime there. He ends his time back in India, fittingly working with the Shah Jahan on the Taj Mahal. Engagingly written and whilst largely fictional, would probably be a lovely read for anyone interested in history, particularly the Ottoman empire. I would never have chosen as a read, but did ultimately 'kinda' enjoy and would recommend. 6/10
ReplyDelete