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timinbc's review
3.0
I must admit that I read mostly fantasy and science fiction, but I have read a fair lot of historical stuff too. Maybe I'm spoiled even in that. I've read Guy Gavriel Kay's Sarantine Mosaic series twice, plus his Children of Earth and Sky, and recently read the first three of Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. They stick less closely to what actually happened, while still capturing the essence of the societies. But they're vastly more engaging.
This one documents actual events in an often-interesting but sometimes plodding way. Jahan is a little too capable in some areas, and hopeless in others. Sinan is wonderful, and I gather the real one wasn't much less so. I liked the variety of personalities in the sultans and viziers.
I was already getting a little annoyed with the liberal use of Plot Ointment in the form of Balaban, but near the end I almost threw the book across the room. Let's see ... suppose that a young physics student in 1925 Brooklyn is kidnapped and knocked unconscious. He wakes in a plain room, escapes from his bonds, sneaks out to the street, finds himself in Berlin, realizes he's in deep doo-doo, and is immediately knocked down by a bicycle. Ridden by Albert Einstein. Grrr.
So we are there as some of the most beautiful structures ever made are designed and built. I never really felt the impact, and after Kay's mosaics I was expecting more of the same. Nope.
There's a long subplot about scheming, and I wasn't very satisfied about its resolution, but authors get to decide that stuff and the book was better with than without.
This was worth reading, but not a highlight. I'm heading back to my more fanciful stuff now.
This one documents actual events in an often-interesting but sometimes plodding way. Jahan is a little too capable in some areas, and hopeless in others. Sinan is wonderful, and I gather the real one wasn't much less so. I liked the variety of personalities in the sultans and viziers.
I was already getting a little annoyed with the liberal use of Plot Ointment in the form of Balaban, but near the end I almost threw the book across the room. Let's see ... suppose that a young physics student in 1925 Brooklyn is kidnapped and knocked unconscious. He wakes in a plain room, escapes from his bonds, sneaks out to the street, finds himself in Berlin, realizes he's in deep doo-doo, and is immediately knocked down by a bicycle. Ridden by Albert Einstein. Grrr.
So we are there as some of the most beautiful structures ever made are designed and built. I never really felt the impact, and after Kay's mosaics I was expecting more of the same. Nope.
There's a long subplot about scheming, and I wasn't very satisfied about its resolution, but authors get to decide that stuff and the book was better with than without.
This was worth reading, but not a highlight. I'm heading back to my more fanciful stuff now.
bethd2828's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lillybookland's review against another edition
5.0
من أروع ما قرأت رواية رائعه بكل تفاصيلها رحلة حياة من طفل الى شاب الى شيخ استمتعت بها كثيرا أسلوب الكاتبه والترجمه مميزه
amblygon_writes's review against another edition
5.0
This story was beautiful! I loved the writing, I loved the characters, and I loved the general feeling of the story. The highlight for me was Elif Shafak's amazing writing. Her sentences and word choices are mesmerising.
wernaeva's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Betoverend mooi
lutecephysics's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
phoenix2's review against another edition
2.0
My main problem with "The Architect's Apprentice" is that it didn't suck me in. The premises were there, the story felt compelling, but it's slow and not as magical as I hoped for.
inkandinsights's review
3.0
I have a special liking for books that can transport me to a different time and place. If it has a strong undercurrent of architecture, all the merrier.
The Architect's Apprentice took me to Istanbul and made me walk alongside Royal Architect Sinan and his four apprentices. The bond between Jahan and his white elephant Chota has all my heart.
Although the book was a page-turner, I could not help but search for all the architectural marvels mentioned in the book and immerse in their visual elegance alongside the reading.
I kept gawking at them imagining how Master Sinan and his four apprentices would have toiled in the hot sun and dirt with Chota in tow.
On various occasions, I did have the very strong urge to drop everything and travel to Istanbul. Anyway, I am rooted in reality.
Now about the plot. It is not predictable. It is not shocking either. I felt like the story was still being built and built like a mega architectural marvel. Not hiding my disappointment with the somewhat loosely put-together ending. But, the reading experience was splendid.
Elif Shafak has gone to great lengths to ensure historical correctness. There is also a string of inter-connected stories bearing immense pain, suffering, and longing for love. I think this is the signature style of Elif Shafak. I recall 'The Forty Rules of Love' also having a similar network of inter-connected stories; although its theme was entirely different.
All said, Elf Shafak is one author I would highly recommend. Especially, if you want to read something that is set on the timeline and locales of the Ottoman Empire.
The Architect's Apprentice took me to Istanbul and made me walk alongside Royal Architect Sinan and his four apprentices. The bond between Jahan and his white elephant Chota has all my heart.
Although the book was a page-turner, I could not help but search for all the architectural marvels mentioned in the book and immerse in their visual elegance alongside the reading.
I kept gawking at them imagining how Master Sinan and his four apprentices would have toiled in the hot sun and dirt with Chota in tow.
On various occasions, I did have the very strong urge to drop everything and travel to Istanbul. Anyway, I am rooted in reality.
Now about the plot. It is not predictable. It is not shocking either. I felt like the story was still being built and built like a mega architectural marvel. Not hiding my disappointment with the somewhat loosely put-together ending. But, the reading experience was splendid.
Elif Shafak has gone to great lengths to ensure historical correctness. There is also a string of inter-connected stories bearing immense pain, suffering, and longing for love. I think this is the signature style of Elif Shafak. I recall 'The Forty Rules of Love' also having a similar network of inter-connected stories; although its theme was entirely different.
All said, Elf Shafak is one author I would highly recommend. Especially, if you want to read something that is set on the timeline and locales of the Ottoman Empire.
joannalouise's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
goldenfootsteps's review
Just struggled to read through, will try again another time I think