The Architect's Apprentice

By: Elif Shafak

Narrated by: Grant Cartwright

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

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)

Enchanting!

A captivating story taking you back to the heart of the Ottoman empire. Beautifully narrated. A masterpiece.

The Architect’s Apprentice

A vivid, full of life story, offering its listener space to enjoy adventure, beauty, love of many faces as well as all sides of us humans. Very poetic and realistic at the same time.