The Architect's Apprentice
- Title: The Architect’s Apprentice
- Author: Elif Shafak
- Edition: Paperback
- Publication Date: April 23, 2015
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Number of Pages: 464 pages
- Language: English
- Format: Paperback
The Architect’s Apprentice is a historical novel set in 16th-century Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The story follows Jahan, a young boy who flees his abusive stepfather and arrives in Istanbul with a rare white elephant named Chota, a gift for the Sultan. Jahan becomes an apprentice to Mimar Sinan, the royal architect, and assists in the construction of monumental structures like the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Selimiye Mosque
The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the clash between art and power. It delves into the complexities of the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the intricate relationships between its people and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world