The Sultan's Harem: A NovelFrom the author of the critically acclaimedWhen We Were Godscomes a dramatic, unforgettable novel of cruelty and passion, set in the great Harem of the Ottoman Empire. In Constantinople there is only one ruler: Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, Lord of Lords of this World, Possessor of Men’s Necks, Allah’s Deputy, absolute ruler of the mighty Ottoman Empire. And at the heart of his palace is the Sultan’s vast Harem, the domain of hundreds of scented, pampered women—some wives, some concubines, some merely slaves. Among them is Gülbehar, the Sultan’s submissive favorite and mother of his heir; Julia, the daughter of an Italian lord, kidnapped when she attempted to flee Venice with her lover; and Hürrem, a Tartar girl from the Russian steppes, sold into slavery. All three women are beautiful, but Hürrem is the most dangerous—ruthless in her desire to rule the Harem and, ultimately, Süleyman himself. Endlessly manipulative and clever, she carefully arranges the downfall of her rivals and endears herself to the Sultan, who places her at the center of the Empire’s power. It is his obsession with Hürrem—not his enemies—that in the end costs Süleyman his allies, his sons, and finally his dynasty. Bestselling author Colin Falconer offers an irresistible glimpse into a world of intrigue, sensuality, and violence, where an empire can be controlled not by the might of its king but by the women hidden behind the Harem walls. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbas Abu Sa'ad Amasya arms army asked Aya Sofia Bayezid blood Bosphorus bostanji Çehangir cheeks courtyard dark Defterdar devshirme Divan door Empire Eski Saraya eunuch eyes face father fear feet felt fingers gediçli girl gold Gonzaga Grand Vizier grinned guards Gülbehar Güzül Hafise hair halva hand Harem head heard horse Hürrem Ibrahim inside Islam Iznik Julia kadin kaftan Kapi Aga Kiaya killiç Kislar Aghasi knees knew Lady Hürrem laughed lips little russelana looked Lord Ludovici Manisa marble Meylissa Muomi murmured Mustapha never night once Osmanlis Palace Pasha Perhaps Qur'an remember robe Rüstem screamed Selim seraskier shadows Shah shahzade shoulders Signora Cavalcanti silence silk Sirhane slave smiled spahis Stamboul stared stood suddenly Süleyman thought Sultan sword Tamasp tell throne timariots Topkapi Saraya turban turned Venice voice waited walls watched whispered wind window woman yeniçeris