The Architect's Apprentice

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.