The passionate boy and the teacher

Jahan arrives, the twelve-year-old Indian boy, at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with a gift for the Sultan: a small white elephant called Shota. In this city, Jahan's life changes thanks to two prominent characters: the Sultan's daughter, Mahremah, who fascinates him, and the famous architect Sinan, who adopts him and trains him in building mosques, palaces, baths, schools, bridges, and most importantly self-discovery and nurturing the soul. An amazing novel takes us through Shafak to the palaces and their gardens, where animals, tamers, ministers, villains, and beautiful courtiers; and to this city/ melting pot where religions and cultures fuse and colors of poverty and crime mix; and to the dark and bright depths of the soul at the same time... Number of pages: 607