First published in Turkey in 2013, The Architect’s Apprentice is a best-selling historical novel that explores 16th-century Istanbul through the perspectives of a young boy, an elephant, and a master builder. The author of the book is Elif Shafak, a celebrated Turkish-British author. Her books have captivated readers all across the world with her evocative storytelling and deep exploration of various themes.
The Architect’s Apprentice centres around the life of a young boy named Jahan. He becomes an apprentice to the legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Set during the times of the Ottoman Empire during its Golden Age, the novel explores various themes of creativity, ambition, the search for identity, and more.
The novel explores the theme of art and creation, as the author delves into what it takes to be an artist and the sacrifices that come with following one’s passion. Another theme that strongly comes out is of identity through the character of Jahan.
For those who have not explored the works of Elif Shafak, The Architect’s Apprentice is a good book to begin with. The novel transports readers to the times of 16th-century Istanbul and makes you think about your aspirations, identities, and relationships.