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badspringbye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
designing, building, loving.
"Resentment is a cage, talent is a captured bird. Break the cage, let the bird take off and soar high. Architecture is a mirror that reflects the harmony and balance present in the universe. If you do not foster these qualities in your heart, you cannot build."
new favorite book. no words. no, actually, I have a lot of praise for this one, I just don't know how to put it into words. best book of the year? of my life? perhaps the most beautifully written one.
the story never failed to progress at any point. the more I flip through the pages the more it felt like I am a part of it, thus, never lost in the story. throughout the whole journey of Jahan and his elephant Chota from their homeland to setting their feet on the wilderness of Istanbul (which will eventually grow into their nature & personalities), I was in-ves-ted.
I was expecting a light read and obviously it didn't meet my presumptions, didn't fail nor surpass it neither, but in a good way. from easy reading, the story took a huge turn and put me in the most satisfying emotional rollercoaster ride. heart-warming, yes. exciting, yes. hilarious, yes. poignant, yes. disturbing, yes. loved and felt-loved, yes yes. diverse characters, engrossing with a lil bit spice of mysterious plot, and exceptionally atmospheric writing... what more can I say?
meh I'm so bad at explaining things, especially my thoughts lol. the best way to review this is to not review it at all, honestly. am just going to browse my annotations on repeat.
excerpts:
p. 1 "Those who yearned for completeness would be called 'the lovers' and those who aspired to knowledge 'the learners'." ... "I wish I could look back and say that I have learned to love as much as I loved to learn."
p. 87 "In order to gain mastery, you need to dismantle as much as you put together."
p. 135 "Beneath every building we raise — it doesn't matter whether it's small or large — just imagine that below the foundation lies the centre of the universe."
p. 272 "What we create can weaken us, rarely it does kill us."
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p. 422 from author's note: "'May the world flow like water,' Sinan used to say. I can only hope that this story too, will flow like water in the hearts if its readers." and it did. ♡
highly recommended for enthusiasts of:
animals and nature; architecture; art; found family; not-a-single-character-even-the-most-minor-ones-are-left-out; firm historical basis supporting the plot; inspirational elements; lyrical writing; to literally everyone, read it please thanks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Blood, Murder, and Slavery
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