Turkey’s preeminent female writer spins an epic tale spanning
nearly a century in the life of the Ottoman Empire. In 1540, twelve-year-old
Jahan arrives in Istanbul. As an animal tamer in the sultan’s menagerie, he
looks after the exceptionally smart elephant Chota and befriends (and
falls for) the sultan’s beautiful daughter, Princess Mihrimah. A palace
education leads Jahan to Mimar Sinan, the empire’s chief architect, who takes
Jahan under his wing as they construct (with Chota’s help) some of the most
magnificent buildings in history. Yet even as they build Sinan’s
triumphant masterpieces—the incredible Suleymaniye and Selimiye
mosques—dangerous undercurrents begin to emerge, with jealousy erupting
among Sinan’s four apprentices.
A memorable story of artistic freedom, creativity,
and the clash between science and fundamentalism, Shafak’s intricate novel
brims with vibrant characters, intriguing adventure, and the lavish backdrop of
the Ottoman court, where love and loyalty are no match for raw power.
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