Captivating,

Another beautiful novel by Elif Shafak. I literally could not stop listening to this, the descriptions of the characters and places so vivid I even dreamed the story again at night.
Also it was narrated brilliantly with Grant Cartbright really bringing the story to life.

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Fascinating

A wonderful tale full of fascinating details, human nature, intrigue, twists and turns like making your way through labyrinthine lanes of the old city of Istanbul all anchored by the faithful relationship between one man and an elephant. This is a long book but not one word is wasted, a truly riveting tale which will not disappoint.

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Wonderful, magical, heartbreaking and true

Yes, this wonderful story flows like water.
The audio book is skillfully narrated, it marvelously reflects the perfect use of a second language with the aptly imperfect pronounceation of certain words. Read the story and find out how, mirrored within the journey you are about to embark on, even a great architect can feel (superstitiously) compelled to incorporate flaws! A horrible pun, I know, but then I am no writer. So, In allowing for the odd tiny imperfection in narration a reflection is constructed, so marvellously polished it mirrors the exquisite yet beguiling journey of a young orphan boy and a tiny white elephant.

The narrator captivates and amplifies on a truth that may be missed by those who do not know what it means to live almost an entire life as an outsider. The tiny occasional flaw, intended or not, captivated me - the apprentice is a migrant who never quite fits in. I listened closely. I found myself identifying with this unexpected truth - dwelling on the dead give aways, the tells that set native apart from migrant.

This exquisite story is written for us who stand both at the heart of our lives yet on the boundaries of somone else's cultural heritage. It is narrated for those who participate in yet also bear witness to a social narrative that may or may not incorporate something of their own. I loved the book because it is well researched. It is also evocative of some bygone era when storytelling was more an entirely more magical, meaningful craft than it is today.

This book is not just about an impossible love, power, kinship or the mastery of a chosen profession. It is about the journey one takes when one is torn from one roots and called upon to own ones life by becoming the architect of ones unbidden destiny.

I look forward to returning to the story in print because, now that I have heard it to its end I wish to revisit and savour each twist and turn - stepping into the flow of one man's life in a place far from home because I am left still hungry, still wistful, still intrigued and still compelled to capture the intoxicating mix of history and imagination that the author conjures through image and lyrical language.
Yes, the story flows like water. I was held right to the end and laughed aghast at the thought of an age gap of 66 years between a married couple! I loved the parting gift - where a small child reaches for an amulet instead of the things spread out before him. I was both charmed and sweetly suprised, recognising myself standing within the gaggle of adoring aunts - my own unbidden hope that the child might reach for the plume met with a parting reminder that nothing laid out before you can compete with the pull of destiny.

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Just a really enjoyable listen

A sprawling epic of a story that captured my heart and imagination. Such an easy listen.

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Compelling evocation

Of another world and time. There have been so many epic stories set in renaissance Europe, it is refreshing and deeply educative to be immersed in the renaissance just outside Europe. It did flow like water as the author hoped, and greatly due to the reading . One or two odd pronunciations , of English words, but not that marred my thorough enjoyment and admiration . Superb.

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masterful & imaginative

Loved the book. Took me to places and times I hadn't experienced. Throughout excellent read and lovely ending.

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Great book let down by irritating reader

I enjoyed the book very much & would highly recommend it - but the reader’s frequent mispronunciations were a constant irritation. I lost count of the number of words he appeared unfamiliar with - couldn’t he have asked someone how to pronounce words he hadn’t heard before, or looked them up?

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13 people found this helpful

A charming memorable read

I loved this book for its evocation of 16th century Istanbul, relationship between Johan and the white elephant and the determination of a brave architect’s apprentice which eventually led him to work on one of the greatest monuments to love the Taj Mahal

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Very slow not paricularly engaging for me

Very slow……not interested in providing more words I am afraid..this is an annoying feature of Amazon’s website

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could have been interesting but actually dull

sorry I really wanted to like this book but it's just very dull and pondering story that is far to slow.

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