When we think of historical fiction, we might typically think of books set in Europe or America. But what about the rest of the world? Well, now you can add Turkey to that list. Sultan’s Love is a historical fiction novel from Turkey that tells the story of two young lovers—one Muslim, one Christian—in the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating period in Turkish history, read on! We’ll share details about the book, as well as some insights into why historical fiction is such a popular genre. And if you want to see a preview of Sultan’s Love, be sure to check out our free sample chapter.
Sultan’s Love: The Setting
The setting for Sultan’s Love is the fifteenth century Ottoman Empire. The novel is told through the alternating perspectives of Selim, a young man in love with Ayshe, a member of the imperial harem, and Bayezid, Selim’s father and the sultan. While Istanbul is the principal location for much of the action, other parts of the empire are also visited.
Selim grows up in a palace surrounded by beauty and privilege. He loves spending time with his family and friends, but he finds himself increasingly drawn to Ayshe, who lives in another world. Selim longs to be close to her and can’t help but be fascinated by her unique life. One day, after years of pining for her, Selim finally has a chance to meet Ayshe in person. However, his happiness is short-lived as Bayezid forbids Selim from marrying Ayshe because she is not one of their high-ranking members of the harem.
Frustrated but still hopeful that someday he can be with Ayshe, Selim spends his days training to become an elite soldier so that he can serve his country and find glory in battle. Meanwhile, Bayezid continues to rule over his empire with an iron fist while caring little for the well-being of his people. Finally fed up with everything around him, Selim decides it’s time to take matters into his own hands and overthrew his father. However
Sultan’s Love: The Characters
The characters in Sultan’s Love are all steeped in history and legend. Many of the events in the novel took place during the time period of Ottoman Empire, which spanned from 1326 to 1922. Though it is set primarily in 15th century Istanbul, much of the story also revolves around court intrigue and political maneuvering within the sultan’s palace.
The novel’s protagonist is Bibi Kadınlar, a peasant girl who becomes the concubine of Suleiman the Magnificent, the powerful sultan of Turkey. As a member of one of the most powerful families in Istanbul, Bibi has a front-row seat to some of history’s most dramatic moments. Her story is interwoven with that of Osman Bey, a Christian soldier who falls hopelessly in love with her while she remains loyal to her king and husband.
Suleiman is a complex and enigmatic figure. He is simultaneously compassionate and tyrannical; he can be kind and loving one moment, but brutal and murderous the next. His harem includes not only wives and concubines, but also eunuchs, slaves, and Advisors – men who have been allowed to live outside ordinary society and serve as confidants to the sultan. It is through these characters that we glimpse into Suleiman’s world – a world filled with opulence and excess, but also violence, intrigue, betrayal…and love.
Sultan’s Love: Plot
Sultan’s Love is a historical fiction novel from Turkey written by Nevin Farhat. It tells the story of Ahmet, a young man who is in love with the beautiful Selimah. Selimah loves Ahmet back, but she is married to the sultan. The two are prohibited from being together, but they continue to love each other anyway. As their love grows stronger and their passion becomes harder to contain, they begin to fear for their safety and that of their unborn child. In the end, they are forced to flee Constantinople and go into hiding. They spend years on the run before finally returning home to face trial and possible execution.
Conclusion
If you’re itching to read a historical fiction novel set in the Ottoman Empire, then Sultan’s Love is the book for you. Written by Canadian author Celia Imrie and published in February of this year, the story follows Selim, an illegitimate son of the sultan who must navigate through palace politics while hiding his true identity. With rich characters and a stunning setting, it’s sure to captivate readers of all ages. If you’re interested in learning more about this book or purchasing it, be sure to head over to Amazon or your local bookstore!
Suleman Muneer