My Week In BooksWhen I get ready for trips, I do my research by reading novels and watching films. I love visiting a far off town and seeing something I recognize from a book or a movie. It turns out, this joy works in reverse, too.
In The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak, we travel through sixteenth century Istanbul with Jahan and his white elephant, Chota. The animal is part of the palace menagerie and Jahan, as his trainer, makes his home among other animal keepers. When not working at the palace, he is an apprentice to Sinan, the city’s most revered architect.
Sinan and his team of apprentices work on mosques and aqueducts and shrines. Many times over Jahan describes the domes of their greater works and what accomplishments they are. It reminded me of the many domes we walked beneath, around and near while visiting Turkey.
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| The Mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed Turbesi in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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| Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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| Istanbul Modern, a modern art museum in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey. |
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| View from a rooftop terrace restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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| View from the ferry ride from the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, to the Asian side. |
The Architect’s Apprentice is about more than architecture, of course. Like may other books detailing life in royal palaces during the 16th century (think Philippa Gregory’s books), there is romance, backstabbing and intrigue.
In March readers will be able to get a copy of The Architect’s Apprentice, though it’s available for Kindles now. I was fortunate enough to score a copy of the novel early thanks to GoodReads First Reads. Add this to your To Read list and check it out as soon as it’s available. If you’ve been, or plan to visit, Turkey, it will be wonderful. If you appreciate beautiful writing, it will be magical.
Thien-Kim aka Kim
Ooh, that sounds like a fascinating read!