The Architect's Apprentice

by Elif Shafak

‘Working is prayer for the likes of us,’ his master often said. ‘It’s the way we commune with God.’ ‘Then how does He respond to us?’ Jahan had once asked, way back when he was younger. ‘By giving us more work, of course.’

Of three things in this life she expected no good: a man who had sold his soul to Sheitan; a woman proud of her beauty; and the news that could not wait till the morning to be delivered.