Istanbul, Fall 2019 ~ Read
The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak was recommended by my Fodor’s travel guide to Istanbul, so I figured I’d read it to see if it’s a good preview for the city that survived millennia, different faiths, earthquakes and fires. It is an entertaining read, detailing adventures of a young Indian boy, who ends up in Istanbul by accident, and grows into a figure of influence at the Sultan’s court. The reader gets some insight into the processes surrounding construction some of Turkey’s most celebrated mosques, while catching a glimpse into imagined lives of 14th century residents of Istanbul, as well as courtiers, merchants and various transplants from all over the world.
The way the narrative is constructed has made me think of “1,001 Nights” or “Arabian Nights”, the stories told by Scheherazade to sultan Shahryar. There is certainly a logical and time-bound storyline, but many of the vignettes can also stand alone as tales of life in medieval Istanbul. I think this book is a better read after you have visited the city, which will provide you with a visual backdrop for Shafak’s storytelling, vs. reading it ahead of your visit.
Would you like some other great reading ideas before your trip to Istanbul? Check out this great list from The Guardian. And remember, your independent local or regional bookseller is a great resource for procuring these books!
