A tale of Ottoman intrigue, youthful curiosity – and a boy’s love for an elephant
Elif Shafak’s novels resemble maps that use detailed keys to help readers to journey through them, so it’s not surprising that her latest book is about the building of an ancient city. The Architect’s Apprentice describes how Istanbul blossomed in the 16th century under its most revered architect, Mimar Sinan, who served three Ottoman emperors over 50 years. Each Sultan’s reign produced a cluster of mosques envisioned and executed by Sinan, many of which still exist today. Narrated by Sinan’s fictional disciple, this is, at its core, a story about a master and his student.
Shafak recreates ancient Turkey with practised flair. Her 2010 novel The Forty Rules of Love is set partially in 13th century Konya, and her 2007 novel The Bastard of Istanbul mourns the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915. This time she blends historical fiction, urban politics and youthful curiosity in an elaborate map of Turkey whose key is the book itself.
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Shafak recreates ancient Turkey with practised flair. Her 2010 novel The Forty Rules of Love is set partially in 13th century Konya, and her 2007 novel The Bastard of Istanbul mourns the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915. This time she blends historical fiction, urban politics and youthful curiosity in an elaborate map of Turkey whose key is the book itself.
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