A colorful, magical tale set during the height of the Ottoman Empire,
from the acclaimed author of The Island of Missing Trees (a Reese's
Book Club Pick)
Chosen for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall's "Reading Room" Book
Club
In this novel, 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.
