Elizabeth Stavely sits in the Bodleian Library, her hands trembling as she holds a fragment of parchment, the key to a story untold for four hundred years Constantinople 1599: the English merchant Paul Pindar must deliver an extraordinary gift to the Sultan. Grieving for his lost love, drowned in a shipwreck, he hears rumours of a new golden-haired slave in the Sultan's harem. Could this be his Celia?
The Aviary Gate
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'A hugely enjoyable novel, multi-layered, vividly depicted and a fascinating story, filled with the colours, sights and scents of Constantinople in the sixteenth century ... fast moving, complex and deeply satisfying' Joanne Harris 'Forbidden love, sailors and secrets - fasten your seat belts for Hickman's period tome ... Think Jane Austen meets Pirates of the Caribbean' In Style 'A magical, engrossing read that takes us inside a 16th century harem - and into a world populated by scheming, exotic characters ... this absorbing novel of intrigue and forbidden love manages to be both cerebral and entertaining' Glamour 'Lie back on your ottoman and relax. Katie Hickman will take you to a magical land, the Topkapi harem in Istanbul in Istanbul in 1599...There are luscious descriptions of costumes, of silk robes and mother-of-pearl twinsets, of ropes of jewels...this is a box of Turkish delight' Independent
About the Author
Katie Hickman is the author of five previous books, including two bestselling history books, Courtesans and Daughters of Britannia. She has written two travel books: Travels with a Circus, which was shortlisted for the 1993 Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, and Dreams of the Peaceful Dragon. She is the author of one previous novel, The Quetzal Summer, for which she was listed for the Sunday Times Young British Writer of the Year award. Katie Hickman lives in London with her two children and her husband, the philosopher A.C.Grayling.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved this and will recommend it highly to any of my friends who enjoy historical fiction. It is lush, sexy, shocking and a thrilling read. Set during two time-frames, present day and 1599, it follows the story of Celia Lamprey a slave to the Sultan of the Ottoman empire. Hot on her heels, to discover if she was a genuine person, is the academic Elizabeth. We follow both women on their searches and find out much more than dry historic books would have you believe.
The style of writing is languorous and beautifully descriptive - it matches the setting perfectly. It gives a fascinating insight in how the west perceives harems and what goes on behind the scenes.
All I can say is: find a copy, read it and then see what you think about it. Some people, like the previous reviewer, would not like it, but others, like me, will love it, purely because the style is so very different.
Katie Hickman is a fantastic researcher and has written some excellent books, notably her Daughters of Britannia book which excels at giving a voice to women who are seen in so many instances, but hardly ever heard.
The style of writing is languorous and beautifully descriptive - it matches the setting perfectly. It gives a fascinating insight in how the west perceives harems and what goes on behind the scenes.
All I can say is: find a copy, read it and then see what you think about it. Some people, like the previous reviewer, would not like it, but others, like me, will love it, purely because the style is so very different.
Katie Hickman is a fantastic researcher and has written some excellent books, notably her Daughters of Britannia book which excels at giving a voice to women who are seen in so many instances, but hardly ever heard.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Cazzie
Format:Hardcover
As previous reviews have covered the plot, I'll just say that The Aviary Gate was one of the most visceral reads I've ever had the pleasure of getting lost in. I could feel the silks of the harem's garments, see the sun striking the rooftops of Constantinople, smell the pungent roses in the garden at the Sultan's palace and taste the seawater of the Bosphorus. I used to come down with a thump when I'd close the book and realize that I was actually in England and not ensconced in the Sultan's palace.
The story brilliantly weaves historical fact with romantic fiction. It was an insight into Eastern culture and harems that few of us would ever have otherwise had. I couldn't put the book down but at the same time I didn't want it to finish so I'd carefully meter my daily reading.
Honestly, if you're looking for a sensory book that will play up to your senses, intellect and romantic nature, then The Aviary Gate has to top your list.
The story brilliantly weaves historical fact with romantic fiction. It was an insight into Eastern culture and harems that few of us would ever have otherwise had. I couldn't put the book down but at the same time I didn't want it to finish so I'd carefully meter my daily reading.
Honestly, if you're looking for a sensory book that will play up to your senses, intellect and romantic nature, then The Aviary Gate has to top your list.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This received quite mixed reviews on here and I had reservations when I began reading. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised and found it a very enjoyable read with plenty of historical interest and atmospheric descriptions.
There are two time frames used in the novel; the current day story of historical researcher, Elizabeth Staveley, is used as a tool to provide the background to the more interesting historical section. Elizabeth finds a fragment of a manuscript suggesting that Celia, an English girl, may have been ship-wrecked by pirates at the end of the sixteenth century and subsequently sold into the harem of Sultan Mehmet III of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The novel follows a few months in Celia's life in 1599. Having been bought by the Sultan's favourite concubine, as a gift for her mother-in-law, we follow Celia's rise within the harem and the intrigue and sceming that goes on within those walls.
Paul Pindar is her fiance and assumes her drowned in the ship-wreck, until his cook, John Carew, chances to see her while visiting in the palace. Both the historical and the modern time frames then follow these characters in a search for the outcome of this love match. Did Paul manage to rescue Celia from the harem? What were their ultimate fates?
While parts of this novel were excellent (such as the description of the gelding of a young boy so that he might become a much prized eunuch), other parts were less well written. The modern story, in particular, had a rather chick-lit feel to it.
In discussion, our book group hilighted many incidences of dubious behaviour or inconsistencies, and I have to admit that these criticisms were valid. Some of these instances did detract from my reading, but mostly my enjoyment of the novel allowed me to ignore them. I did find the ending a bit weak though.
Paul Pindar and John Carew also feature in Hickman's latest novel, The Pindar Diamond, set in Venice, and I look forward to reading this in the near future.
There are two time frames used in the novel; the current day story of historical researcher, Elizabeth Staveley, is used as a tool to provide the background to the more interesting historical section. Elizabeth finds a fragment of a manuscript suggesting that Celia, an English girl, may have been ship-wrecked by pirates at the end of the sixteenth century and subsequently sold into the harem of Sultan Mehmet III of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The novel follows a few months in Celia's life in 1599. Having been bought by the Sultan's favourite concubine, as a gift for her mother-in-law, we follow Celia's rise within the harem and the intrigue and sceming that goes on within those walls.
Paul Pindar is her fiance and assumes her drowned in the ship-wreck, until his cook, John Carew, chances to see her while visiting in the palace. Both the historical and the modern time frames then follow these characters in a search for the outcome of this love match. Did Paul manage to rescue Celia from the harem? What were their ultimate fates?
While parts of this novel were excellent (such as the description of the gelding of a young boy so that he might become a much prized eunuch), other parts were less well written. The modern story, in particular, had a rather chick-lit feel to it.
In discussion, our book group hilighted many incidences of dubious behaviour or inconsistencies, and I have to admit that these criticisms were valid. Some of these instances did detract from my reading, but mostly my enjoyment of the novel allowed me to ignore them. I did find the ending a bit weak though.
Paul Pindar and John Carew also feature in Hickman's latest novel, The Pindar Diamond, set in Venice, and I look forward to reading this in the near future.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Historical Read
Interesting weaving of historical and current times. Particularly pertinent to one of the branches of my ancestry research. Clearly well-researched and written.
Published 1 month ago by Vivien Turner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good balance of past and present
I really enjoyed this interesting historical novel, I enjoy very much reading about this era but mainly the books cover British history so it was great to have an insight to what... Read more
Published 3 months ago by H. Akkary
5.0 out of 5 stars
To add to my collection
I haven't read this book yet, but am looking forward to it. Would recommend to friends and family.Good seller. Thanks.
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. D. E. Patton
5.0 out of 5 stars
i loved this book- it really draws you in
The came across this book in the library, liked the look of the cover and took it home. and i was so glad i did. Read more
Published 11 months ago by bhedges
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read
I really enjoyed this book, it is the first one I have read by Kate Hickman and it won't be the last. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mrs. Julie Illingworth
3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 star interesting tale of slavery, deceit & love
I heard about this novel about 3 years ago on Radio Four. Neglecting to note down the title because I was driving, I discovered it again by posting a query on an historical fiction... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ben Kane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful read
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The history, the twists of the story ... the unpredictable ending. Had to keep reading to find out what happened and then was disappointed I'd... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2011 by TheOnlySoupdragon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Transported.
I came to this novel knowing nothing about the Turkish harem and very little about the life of an Oxford graduate; so I can't comment on it's accuracy in the way that other... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2010 by Mrs Alison Douglass
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but meandering story
The basic story is promising: a modern-day post-graduate history student finds a fragment of a document in the Bodleian library which spurs her into a journey to Turkey in search... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by Bluebell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Scheming 16th Century Harem
The story begins in the present time when student Elizabeth Staveley discovers a parchment in the Bodleian library that she's been looking for and which could hold the key to a... Read more
Published on 25 April 2010 by Mrs. C. Colbert
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