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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
The story of a boy, Jahan, who runs away from his abusive stepfather in India and becomes an elephant keeper in the menagerie of Suleiman the Magnificent, Ottoman Sultan in Istanbul, Turkey. By being in the right place at the right time as a young man, he becomes an apprentice to Sinan, the Chief Royal Architect. The book accompanies Jahan as he grows up, develops in his profession and in his character, encountering some long-simmering difficulties along the way. The book takes a leisurely approach to dealing with its central issues; they are allowed to develop organically over the course of Jahan's whole lifetime. There are periods of action, but also long periods where these issues seem to be dormant.
Elif Shafak's writing is wonderful for an adventure novel, which this is. She conveys the atmosphere of her locations with a sure touch, without overdoing the description. Jahan is a sympathetic character, an outsider without any status in the Ottoman Empire, observing the environment and customs and attempting to fit in and avoid making fatal mistakes.
Elif Shafak's writing is wonderful for an adventure novel, which this is. She conveys the atmosphere of her locations with a sure touch, without overdoing the description. Jahan is a sympathetic character, an outsider without any status in the Ottoman Empire, observing the environment and customs and attempting to fit in and avoid making fatal mistakes.
I like books that mix fact and fiction. To be honest I thought the character of Jahan an unlikely one but probably no more so than other fictional characters who just happen to be in one important place and time then another. If you're willing to suspend your disbelief then it's an interesting, not always happy, tale.
One of the most interesting parts for me is always finding out which characters were real and how much digging an author had to do to uncover stories of ordinary people swept up in extraordinary times.
This was my first Elif Shafak. I will definitely read more.
One of the most interesting parts for me is always finding out which characters were real and how much digging an author had to do to uncover stories of ordinary people swept up in extraordinary times.
This was my first Elif Shafak. I will definitely read more.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you love a wistful meandering story about one of the most fascinating and historically loaded cities in the planet, or if you're going to Istanbul, or you just like a great story about love, human fragility, and a complicated mesh of relationships that sustain the life of a charlatan turned architect's life in medieval Turkey, this is the perfect book for you.
started out really enjoying this but by the end not so much...too many characters were introduced that never developed and to be honest even jahan, the main character, never really developed into anything. the middle of the story dragged in places and there were too many tangents that petered into nothing. over all the elephant was the most interesting character and he wasn't even featured as much as one would be led to believe by the cover blurb. it was interesting to read about 1500's istanbul and the architecture and culture of the time, so there's that.
This was an easy summer read. The kind of book that doesn't take much to get through and didn't leave me with much to think about after it was done.
3.5 // Like: Loved exploring this world and culture that I knew nothing about. The history and architecture! Absolutely enchanting! // Dislike: At some points in the story but predominantly at the end, it seemed like a lot was just stuffed in ...without the last about 50 pages it would have been a 4.5 for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3,5 stars
Rich in culture and with multilayered characters, "The architect's Apprentice" is set in an interesting time and place, presenting the lives of many, but overall lacks a clear plot/or direction as it goes through the story.
The Architect's Apprentice takes place in 16th and 17th Century Istanbul; a context which was very new to me. In every aspect the setting of this story is richly described, vibrant with the culture of that time which intrigued me a great deal.
It follows the life of Jahan, a young man brought to the Sultan's palace as the caretaker of the new Elephant and how he rises to become an apprentice to the Royal Architect.
Jahan tries to navigate life in Istanbul, trying not to get into trouble despite the lies he has told to get there and comes to see the city as his home.
We see his relationship with the people around him grow as his life goes on, and how it impacts him. but beyond that, we don't see much.
this book is in every way a character driven story, lacking practically any hint of a clear plot to follow. And although the culture intrigued me sometimes I had to set myself to reading it. Not because it isn't well written, but because it is a 400+ book where for most of it I had no clue where it was going. What goal/ending it was working towards.
when the ending came, I liked it a lot. It connected back to earlier set ups and very nicely and interestingly wrapped up the story. But in the end, this book despite it rich culture, layered characters and rich writing disappointed me because for too much of it I felt like I was just trudging along, without a clear direction.
Rich in culture and with multilayered characters, "The architect's Apprentice" is set in an interesting time and place, presenting the lives of many, but overall lacks a clear plot/or direction as it goes through the story.
The Architect's Apprentice takes place in 16th and 17th Century Istanbul; a context which was very new to me. In every aspect the setting of this story is richly described, vibrant with the culture of that time which intrigued me a great deal.
It follows the life of Jahan, a young man brought to the Sultan's palace as the caretaker of the new Elephant and how he rises to become an apprentice to the Royal Architect.
Jahan tries to navigate life in Istanbul, trying not to get into trouble despite the lies he has told to get there and comes to see the city as his home.
We see his relationship with the people around him grow as his life goes on, and how it impacts him. but beyond that, we don't see much.
this book is in every way a character driven story, lacking practically any hint of a clear plot to follow. And although the culture intrigued me sometimes I had to set myself to reading it. Not because it isn't well written, but because it is a 400+ book where for most of it I had no clue where it was going. What goal/ending it was working towards.
when the ending came, I liked it a lot. It connected back to earlier set ups and very nicely and interestingly wrapped up the story. But in the end, this book despite it rich culture, layered characters and rich writing disappointed me because for too much of it I felt like I was just trudging along, without a clear direction.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a book man. A little slow to start, but once it gets going it gets going. At its core, it's a beautiful story about architecture and the people involved. So so many characters and memorable stories with each. The story is about love, loss, work, fate, religion, happiness, and so so much more. Many moving passages. Truly the quote on the front "a love poem to the cosmopolitan beauty of Istanbul". It was beautiful, a little slow at times, but griping and wonderful
medium-paced
Not my favourite shafak, but still very well written and engaging prose. The characters were loveable enough, even if a bit flat.