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The Architect's Apprentice

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The Architect's Apprentice

By: Elif Shafak
Narrated by: Grant Cartwright
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About this listen

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 and valuable 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.

©2014 Elif Shafak (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Royalty Elephant

Critic Reviews

"This is Shafak's most ambitious novel yet, and it is her best ..." ( The Independent)
"This edifying, emotionally forceful novel shows how hate and envy destroy, and how love might build the world anew ..." ( The Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
I felt transported to another time and place. The characters felt so real and I shed a tear.

Absorbing history

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought the reader was excellent. I will certainly recommend it to friends.

A captivating book

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I enjoyed this marvellous journey through the streets and inner sanctum of the palaces and mosques 🕌 of Istanbul through the eyes of the 1600 AD apprentice of the great architect Mimar Sinan.
This is a must if you love elephants 🐘 ♥️

A Rich Tapestry

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This book is an enriched experience of lives, days and an era I physically could never participate in. The story sunk into my heart and as it progressed I couldn't wait to find out the fates of those companions who accompanied me in this world.

so vibrant!

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This is a jewel of a book. Both beautifully written and expertly read, it draws the listener through in a way only a master story teller can. As an architect myself I was intrigued to identify the timeless struggles our protagonist experienced as part of his profession. Thank you Shafak and Cartwright!

Couldn't stop listening

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