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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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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 Historical Fiction Fiction Royalty Heartfelt Elephant
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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)
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Like a Paolo Coelho novel but with more focus on the story than the message, this book captures the exotic remote world of Ottoman Istanbul as its protagonist lurches from love to architectural masterpiece like a 16tj Century Forrest Gump. Captivating escapism from modern life!

Evocative entertaining escapism

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Wonderful story. I looked forward to listening to it every day. I fell in love with Chota the elephant. The narrator did such a good job and I was completely absorbed in the book. Top marks all round.

Transported into another world.

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Loved the book. Took me to places and times I hadn't experienced. Throughout excellent read and lovely ending.

masterful & imaginative

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Of another world and time. There have been so many epic stories set in renaissance Europe, it is refreshing and deeply educative to be immersed in the renaissance just outside Europe. It did flow like water as the author hoped, and greatly due to the reading . One or two odd pronunciations , of English words, but not that marred my thorough enjoyment and admiration . Superb.

Compelling evocation

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Absolutely wonderful book with good narrator. I could smell the roses in the garden at the Palace (as well as the smell of the slums). The characters were so rounded and real. I cried a bit at sad parts, felt like cheering at good bits. I waited a day to hear the last ten minutes because I didn't want it to end. Will stay on my mind for a while.

Wonderful story

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