The Mapmaker's Daughter

by Katherine Nouri Hughes

A novel of the Venetian girl who became the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Magnificent Century.
 
The Ottoman Empire was at the height of its power during the sixteenth century when Cecilia Baffo Veniero was kidnapped from her Venetian homeland and chosen to be the wife of Selim II, successor to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. She would be known as Nurbanu.
 
The Mapmaker’s Daughter vividly imagines the confession of Nurbanu as she lies on her sickbed narrating the spectacular story of her rise to the pinnacle of imperial power, determined to understand how her extraordinary destiny was shaped. With unflinching candor, Nurbanu reviews the desires and motives that have both propelled and harmed her, as she considers her role as a devoted yet manipulative mother, helping to orchestrate her son’s succession to the throne. Serving as the appointed enforcer of one of the empire’s most crucial and shocking laws, Nurbanu confronts the consequences of her loves and her choices—right up to one last shattering revelation.
 
 

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, 16th Century

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2017

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating peek into the 16th century world of the Ottoman Empire. The story is told through the memories of a woman who is dying and recalling the circumstances that brought her to where she is now. Her extraordinary life included being kidnapped by pirates, educated with a prince and joining the royal family of Suleiman "the Magnificent."

All of this as a female in the 1500s! Katherine Nouri Hughes, the author, admits that there are so few records of her life that Cecilia Baffo Veniero, called Nurbanu, was a blank slate.

But, Nurbanu actually existed. Hughes gives her a life of mystery, dizzying highs, lows, and riches beyond imagining. I loved it.

And, I learned so much from this story. Admittedly, my historical fiction preferences seem to run towards the Roman Empire or Tudor England. Perhaps it was time I branched out.

For example, did you know that there was a law for when the heir to the Sultan took the throne, that all of his brothers were killed? This was to protect the dynasty from civil war. "And to whomsoever of my sons the Sultanate shall pass, it is fitting that for the order of the world he shall kill his brothers. That law has held us together; secured our Empire; made us who we are..." loc 127, ebook.

Beyond the obvious reasons, this was particularly awful because the Sultan tended to have scores of kids. There were the usual threats of illness and the plague to consider.

Suleiman himself was a legend in his own time. "A man like no other. His titles alone told the story. ... Sultan of the Two Continents, Servitor of the Two Sanctuaries, Warden of the Horizons. Suleiman the Magnificent- man and legend combined. ... Imperial, mirthless, deadly pale." loc 463, ebook.

He ruled an empire and his children. According to Hughes, he was heavily influenced by his favorite wife, Hurrem, who is a colorful character in this story.

Nurbanu is fortunate because, when she is captured, she was already well-educated. "I'd been assigned to the Head Scribe herself without question because I was educated. That was what Barbarossa had said at the presentation. 'She can read.'" loc 482. That saves her from more gruesome fates within the harem.

But it doesn't make her life easy. After all, she's still a slave in the palace of Suleiman.

"I know how awful the end of fantasy is- for it steals into parts of the heart and mind where nothing should be able to go. It is driven by the heat of what we long for, and it melts all that is in its path until it comes out into the open and is exposed for what it is: something that was never true." locs 3250-3268.

Recommended for readers who like historical fiction with a large cast of character, an exotic locale and a heroine with a quick mind.

Thank you to NetGalley and Open Road Integrated Media for a free advance reader copy of this book. Reminder- the short quotations that I used in this review may differ in the final printed version.

[Alexia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is, without a doubt, the worst historical fiction book I have ever read, and I have explored many in the genre. It felt more like fanfiction, as the author inserted whatever elements she wished, regardless of how unrealistic they were. The author claims to have done extensive research for this book, but it certainly didn't feel that way. She got several well-known facts wrong.

Nurbanu Sultan is one of my favorite historical figures, and while we know very little about her, the author’s portrayal of her and other powerful women is simply ridiculous. It was unnecessary to undermine figures like Hürrem, Mihrimah, and Safiye just to elevate Nurbanu's character. All of these women were formidable and intelligent, not the caricatures presented in this book.

We also know that Selim always asked and talked with Nurbanu about politics and that he respected her opinions very much, and yet the author chose to make Selim disregard his wife all the time.

It became evident to me, by the end, that the author is overly fixated on Suleiman. At one point, I wondered if the story was meant to focus on Nurbanu or solely on Suleiman. We know that Nurbanu and Murad shared a strong bond, with Murad cherishing and respecting his mother above all else, yet the author chose to distort this relationship.

Additionally, many of the things attributed to Suleiman in the story were given to Nurbanu by Selim, which makes me question the author's fixation on Suleiman. This book was a significant disappointment, especially for its tendency to diminish other women to make Nurbanu stand out as if to imply she could only shine by being one of the men.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the story starts it goes in no direction for far too long. But as story builds up, it becomes interesting until it starts alternating between present and past time.

Nurbanu tells her own story. Born illegitimate Venetian in the 16th century. She becomes wife of Sultan Seim II. (However, her origin is conflicting. It is not clear if she was Venetian or Greek).

While she is on Paros Island, Greece, she doesn’t notice 36 galleys with decks mounted with guns approaching the island. She is captured by Turkish corsairs and famous leader Barbarossa. They sail to Constantinople, where she is taken to Topkapi Palace, examined and picked to serve a purpose. Thanks to her education and ability to read, she is assigned to the Head Scribe.

The story goes back in time and reveals her childhood in Venice and later her father’s story. Her past being revealed in pieces is the most interesting part.

As the story goes back and forth between her childhood and present time, it becomes striking that her childhood story is underdeveloped and her present story is overdeveloped. I appreciate stories rich in historical details; however, it is not well-balanced in this story. It starts overbearing the present story. There is nothing new about the harem story, that’s why I was looking forward to her story as Head Scribe, but it continued to focus on Topkapi Palace in general.

@FB: Best Historical Fiction

[📚 Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't like rating books that I DNF'd, but I feel bad not writing a review since I got this book from Netgalley. So this review is only for the first 20% or so. The rest of the book could be fabulous; I just don't know.

I can see what the author was attempting to create here, along the lines of some great works. A young (usually poor) woman ends up in trouble of some sort and eventually goes from no one to someone important over the course of her life. The first novel like this that comes to mind is Forever Amber, and I found that book hard to read as well.

The book starts, as I said above, with the main character being young, at least in the story within the story that is assumedly the majority of the book. Nurbanu is telling the story of her life now that she is an old woman, similar in form to Creation, and she, of course, starts at the beginning. And while some interesting things happened when she was young, most of it bored me silly. The setting was interesting but I couldn't bring myself to care at all about the characters. They whined and bugged me.

Part of my issue with what I read was the writing. I constantly was struggling with huge, page-long paragraphs that said little of importance and too much stuff I wasn't interested in. Early on, we're introduced to many characters, all of them with strange names and (for me) none of them easy to remember. It reminds me of older historical fiction, like the two books I already mentioned and like those by Anya Seton, where much of the books is spent building up the characters and the background and sometimes skimping on the action. Those books can work because, as modern readers, we understand that there were a lot fewer distractions back when they were written and that past generations didn't need in-your-face action on every page. While I don't many need my books to be as exciting as some, I still would have wished for some better pacing in the beginning. There just was nothing that made me care.

With all that said, there still were some really great descriptions of Venice and lots of atmosphere came through the pages. It just wasn't enough to keep me reading.

[Melisende · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should have been an interesting story about the woman who was kidnapped as a child in Venice and posited in the harem of Ottoman Sultan, Suleyman the Magnificent. As wife of Sultan Selim II and mother of Sultan Murad III, her story was such that it required retelling.

This version, however, did not do her justice. It attempts to be a memoir, narrated in the first person by Nurbanu, in her dotage - in fact, in the last month of her life. With a storyline that moves back and forth, from past to present, there is no clear direction, especially for those with no prior knowledge of this period or its myriad of characters. A disjointed story meant there were times when the reader had no idea where in her life we were up to: her Venetian childhood, her life in the harem, on her deathbed.

What the author does tackle, though poorly, was the controversial subject of fratricide - the custom of eliminating all possible pretenders and rivals to the throne (essentially, killing off male relatives regardless of age and mental capacity). This custom was not outlawed until the reign of Nubanu's great-grandson, Ahmed I. In this story, Nurbanu is the brains behind this custom, however, how much of this is truth and how much is fanciful story-telling as rivals had been killing each other off prior to this.

I felt no real connection with the character of Nurbanu who at times appeared older than she should, naive though aged, precocious, arrogant, domineering. Even her rival, daughter-in-law Safiye seemed a sad, tragic figure. These women ruled at a time when they were supposed to be secluded away from the outside world - this does them no justice.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up in anticipation of meeting the author next month. This is historical fiction and is the story of Cecilia Veneiro who became Nurbanyu after she was kidnapped and then married into the Ottoman Empire. She was the wife of Selim II and the mother of Murad III. It is told as a memoir written during her final illness and describes her life from childhood, but with the majority of the book describing her adult life as the wife of a sultan. Very detailed, it took a while to get into as the beginning was a little slow going. Despite marrying into a position of power, she had difficult dilemmas which needed to be handled to maintain order in the vast Empire. In general, few characters were pleasant and there was constant conflict which fueled feuds and distrust. There are wars and conflicts with innumerable deaths. This was another book that made me glad I am living in the 21st Century. I am looking forward to meeting the author and discussing this interesting, if occasionally gruesome novel.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story of the Ottoman Empire. Although very readable, the book is somewhat nebulous in parts, but it is the type of book that encourages interest in learning more about this period in history.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictionalized memoir of Cecilia/Nurbanu, who was kidnapped by Barburosa, an Ottoman seaman and given to the Sultan. Nurbanu tells her life story as she suffers from an illness that cannot be diagnosed.

I am a bit in the middle of all the reviews here for this book. Seems that some that have read hated it, others loved it. I found it fascinating and need to know more about this girl, educated and fairly sassy for a 16th century gal, both things uncommon in the time period.

You must enjoy history to enjoy this book, the writing is well done and from what I have gathered thus far, the authors research was done and done well. I will pursue more on this woman, she deserves to be read about.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer read this year worked out well - the hot hot campaigns of the Ottomans brought this more to life as I was reading it in the heat.

This is the best example of "Don't judge a book by it's cover" which is hard not to do, it looks like a boring historical drudgery.

For me, though, it was exciting! It filled me in on a lot of information about the Ottoman Empire which i have to admit, I really knew nothing about. I find it weird as I am so into history of that time period and the Ottoman's rise happened at the same time as the War of the Roses through the Tudors. We do read a lot of whitewashed history in this country, don't we? But yes, these characters were all back channeling with Catherine d'Medici, the Tudors, the Pope, Serbia, Bosnia (when they were still kingdoms), Italy most of all, and the fight for Constantinople (turned Istanbul). This takes place about 100 years after the Ottomans captured Constantinople and surges the development and politics of the region at that time.

I also, complete of gluttony on a new-to-me history and world, started binging Netflix's series "The Rise of the Ottoman Empire" which is fantastic and takes place 100 years prior to this book. A must watch! It's half documentary, half drama. Well acted and narrated (by Charles Dance!).

For the bad: Even though this is about Nurbanu, I never really understood her and some of the text is cryptic and character motivations are really confusing. And there was so much more I wanted to have the author take me through but the politics and relationships were afterthoughts to the family life and connections the author wanted to highlight. Still a worthwhile read. I learned a lot!

[thewanderingjew · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two books with the same name, both covering similar historic time periods separated by a century. The reviews have been confused by some, believing they have read the one and not the other. One book is new, from August 2017, and the other one is from 2014. In the book written three years earlier, it is the late 15th century, and a young Jewish Converso holds to her religion at great danger to herself. In this current book, it is about the middle of the 16th century, and a young Venetian girl converts to Islam to protect herself after being captured by Suleiman, the Magnificent.
This novel is about Christian born Cecilia Baffo Veniero, daughter of a brilliant, unmarried mapmaker. She lived in the Venetian Republic until she was captured by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Like her mother, she was well educated. Her intelligence and background was appreciated by Suleiman, and he continued to educate her. After her conversion to Islam, he gave her as bride to his sons. She became known as Nurbanu and rose to an unprecedented position of power for a woman, especially one born out of wedlock. Her ultimate influence, real and imagined, over the Ottoman Empire was illustrated in the novel as Nurbanu lay ill and dying. She was convinced by her long time friend and confidante, Esther, a Jew, to relate the story of her life and rise to power, for historical review, and to help her understand the arc of her life and its meaning. It is fiction combined with history, and it is filled with references to her relationships and historic events of moment.
Although she was a preteen when stolen from her home, she was far more mature. The author portrayed her life and the times in which she lived, and included many interesting facts interspersed in the narrative concerning the era in which Jews, Christians and Moslems were alternately persecuted in the period of time that the Ottoman Empire grew successfully and provided the seeds of ideas and technology still used today. Often, a greater knowledge of the period seemed to be assumed by the author, and so the thread of the history was not developed fully enough for someone not well versed in the subject. It was occasionally confusing, as her influence and life were explored, essentially forcing the reader to do further research in order to fully comprehend the subject matter. I believe it is essential to read this fictional memoir as a confession, or search for answers and explanations about the incidents occurring and the decisions made, during her life. It is an introspective look into her devotion to herself, her children, and the kingdom.
I liked the design of the book jacket. I think having a jacket which doubles as a book mark is a great idea. In addition, the heft of the book was very comfortable. However, the choice of paper made it difficult to turn the pages. They were too thin and fragile. Also, while the introductory material was appreciated, it was lengthy and a bit cerebral, making it also somewhat distracting. A lot of complicated history was packed into a few pages. Still, it was better to have the facts, than not to have them at all.
It took me a long time to finish reading this book. The writing style, while often poetic and eloquent, was also difficult to follow, at times. The sentence structure sometimes seemed convoluted. Information was offered, but not always fully explained. A thought was introduced and seemed to come from nowhere and go nowhere. Events were mentioned and dropped without complete context.
Fortunately there was a summary of the history in the beginning of the book and also a character list, map of the empire, as it progressed, and a partial list of the genealogy. Still, as I read, I felt compelled to do further research since some information presented was incomplete. The fact that the book inspired me to learn more about a period of time and an empire I had previously very little knowledge of and was glad to learn more about, does speak well of the novel.

[E.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does an illegitimate Venetian girl become the wife of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire? What was her life like? What kind of power does she wield, and how? "The Mapmaker's Daughter," a fictionalized memoir of Cecilia/Nurbanu, the real-life Venetian captive who became wife and then mother to Sultans, seeks to answer those questions.

Cecilia/Nurbanu, in Katherine Nouri Hughes's retelling of her story, is an exceptional girl who becomes one of the most powerful women in the world. The daughter (illegitimate, we later discover) of an older Venetian nobleman and a young Venetian woman who possessed the then almost-magical ability to draw maps, Cecilia loses first her father, then her mother, and then, at the age of 12, her freedom, when Barbarossa raids her home and takes her captive, delivering her to the harem of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Cecilia is pretty, but much more importantly than that, she is literate, and not only literate, but brilliant. She is pulled out of the regular harem population and assigned to learn to write in Arabic, and then to be the study companion of the Sultan's favorite son. She converts to Islam and gains the name Nurbanu, becomes the concubine and then the wife of the heir-presumptive, and finally the Queen Mother. Her path, however, is not one of uninterrupted upward progress: there is death, the birth of daughters (a tragedy for a concubine), and a terrible dying command from Suleiman that she must decide whether to fulfill or not, knowing that either way she risks tearing apart her family and their empire.

"The Mapmaker's Daughter" is not an exceptionally long book, and the narrative style is fairly straightforward, but it is densely filled with details, making it a rich, slow read. It conveys the flavor of the 16th century, its barbarism and its simultaneous striving for science and enlightenment, with a naturalness that appears effortless but is in fact difficult to achieve. Nurbanu and her family are not modern people in 16th-century dress, but of their era, which they accept and yet also rebel against, not questioning the system of concubinage, for example, but attempting to make it more humane. Cecilia/Nurbanu herself is a brilliant creation, a gifted intellectual with a love for science who, on finding herself a concubine, manages to work within the confines that have been placed upon her to become educated herself, and to instill in her children a love for science and technology as well. The 16th century was a heady time of exploration and discovery, in the Ottoman Empire as in Europe, and Cecilia/Nurbanu's story gives a sense of a society that is still medieval, but on the brink of becoming the modern world that we know today. Fans of intellectual historical fiction, and readers looking for books on influential female figures, will be well served by this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Mirella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some claim Nurbanu was a Venetian woman named Cecilia Baffo Veniero abducted abducted from Paros island when it was captured by Barbarossa. Others say she was a Greek woman named Kale Kartanou from Corfu. To this day, no one knows for certain. Once in the folds of the Ottoman Empire, she became known as Nurbanu. Her destiny was to became favourite consort and legal wife of Ottoman Sultan Selim II and mother of Murad III.

Wherever she came from, she one day found herself the head of the Sultan's harem. Despite the Sultan's right to take as many concubines as he wished, Nurbanu was his favorite because of her sharp wit and breathtaking beauty. Because of her propensity for good judgement, he reated her as an advisor and respected her opinion in many matters.

In return, she was a devoted wife and wonderful mother. When she gave birth to Murad, she knew that one day, when it came time to succession, he might be murdered, as had happened many times in the past where entire families were massacred. Nurbanu was determined never to let this happen.

Murad was away serving as goveror of Manisa when her husband died in 1574. Nurbanu realized her life's son may be in danger by a usurper of power. Before anyone could learn of her husband's death, she hid his body in the harem in an icebox and then summoned her son to return home. Only when Murad made it home, did she announce her husband's death. In this way, Murad became the next sultan and she became the highest ranking woman in the sultanate and very powerful indeed. She managed the government and acted as co-regent with her son.

Her reach was long. She was a pen pal of Queen Catherine de Medici of France and the Venetians proudly followed her reign, writing about her often. That's because she was good for the Venetian government. For as much as she was loved by the Venetians, she was spurned by their rivals, the Genoese who resented her unwavering support of all things Venetian. When she died in Istanbul on December 7, 1583, it was suspected she might have been poisoned by a Genoese spy.

It is a fascinating novel about a woman intelligent enough to manoeuvre about in a dangerous regime where a slip of the tongue or a wrong action could result in immediate death.

[A. Sacit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel about Nurbanu Sultan (Cecilia), Venetian born wife of the Ottoman Sultan Selim II (known as Drunk, r. 1566-1574), son of Süleyman the Magnificent (1494-1566). Cecilia was abducted by Barbarossa from the island of Paros during the reign of Sultan Süleyman and brought to palace in Istanbul. She was chosen and given an education as she already knew how to read, and quickly risen above all the contenders in the harem to be the favorite and wife of the prince Selim (Sultan Selim II), and gave birth to a son (Sultan Murad III, r. 1574-1595) and three daughters.

Nurbanu chronicles her memoirs in her death bed as Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) of the Empire. Her story remains true to historical events and characters of that time, and in doing so the author breaths life and emotions into the personalities, as this is a historical novel after all. One should come back and re-read first few pages of the book, as Nurbanu makes some vague remarks early on referencing to some events which become clear later in the book.

Nurbanu touches on the military campaigns, erudition, and prowess of Süleyman the Magnificent during his reign (r. 1520-1566), and opulence and grandeur of the Sultan’s court. The title “Magnificent” was bestowed upon him by the foreign rulers and ambassadors from abroad. In the empire he was known only as Kanuni (Lawgiver) by his own people. He raised the Empire to its apogee during his long reign, but also planted the seeds of its decline by committing some fatal errors towards the end of his life. Nurbanu fails to mention that Süleyman`s gravest error was granting supremacy to Ulema (Islamic theologians) over and above sciences and secular law for the first time in the Empire’s history. This indeed rose its ugly head, causing the destruction of a sumptuous astronomical observatory, on par with Tycho Brahe`s in Europe, during the reign of Murad III, the grandson of Süleyman.

Nurbanu gave encouragement to Murad and was the most enthusiastic supporter during the building of the observatory. Later, after the observatory was destroyed, she implied that destruction of the observatory was perhaps the revenge of Murad, her son, for her instigation of the murder of six child-princes so that Murad would rule unchallenged (the Law), as he had felt bitterness for Nurbanu’s actions. Would the history support this notion? Not really.

The history points to the fact that the religious Ulema considered the astronomical observations “interfering in God’s secrets”. Hence the observatory in Istanbul was razed to the ground in 1580 by the Janissaries after petitioning by Şeyhülislam (Chief Islamic Authority) with a Fatwa (Religious Opinion) during the reign of Sultan Murad III. This tragic landmark event, together with the incompetent sultans that followed, set the wheels in motion for gradual decline of the Empire until its collapse at the end of WWI (see Inalcik, 2001).

This is an enjoyable read, and kudos to Nouri Hughes for researching a little-known historical personality to the extent she did.

[Wytzia Raspe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start with saying that I know a lot of that historical era so will not have experienced the trouble some (American) people mentioned with knowing who was who and what country was what.

The author picked a historical figure who is mostly remembered by name only so she has carte blanche creating a person. Other people like Sultan Suleiman and his sons are very well known historical people.

In the novel the old sultan-mother lies in bed gravely ill and looks back on her life. She was a granddaughter of a Venetian merchant who wanted to go up in the world. Her mother was an educated mapmaker and grandpapa tries to pair her to a nobleman. She has done something that is bothering her: something that felt like the right thing to do while it was wrong to do it.

One day this Venetian girl end up in the harem of Sultan Suleyman who sees a brilliant mind and designs to have her trained as the wife of his successor.

The first half of the novel is in my opinion the most interesting one. It seems that the young girl is very impressed with Sultan Suleyman. Like him she values mathematical order and discipline. Somehow what is going on in her heart is not that much mentioned. She seems a math nerd who has a dose of Asperger. Her husband loves her but she seems indifferent.

That is what bothered me with this book. What is Nurbanu really? (Her son asks the same question). Her grandfather is a selfish ass and still she writes to him as if the had a good relationship. She seems to dote on her son and grandson but does not try to amend a rift. On the other hand it is clear that you cannot let your guard down in the palace. That is the tragic thing: when she learns forgiveness and warmth and start to feel happy it ......

For people who look for a historical romance novel: look somewhere else. This felt to me like a novel by Umberto Eco.

People mentioned needing 3 months to finish the book: I read it in one day during the Corona crisis.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wavered between a 3-star and 4-star rating. I love historical fiction and liked that it was about a strong, smart woman in the 1500s functioning in a strong patriarchy. I came away with a better understanding of the age and the dynamic of the mixing of cultures. At times I felt overwhelmed by a lot of historical info, but I did learn a lot about life in the palace, and about this time period when exploration, and knowledge were coming to the forefront. She was ahead of her time promoting women's rights to help gain education for the harem and become a strong force in the kingdom both good & bad. Always appreciate when I walk away from a book learning something new!

[Vicki H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a story! I found it hard going at first. I recommend getting oriented by paying attention to the historical context and character list before starting to read.

[Jackie ϟ Bookseller · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 52%

2/5

"Most of us live in the space between what we do and what we can do. We guard the illusion that we might be anything we wish."

I have never DNF'd a book before, but I just cannot get through this one. I've been reading it for three months, and I struggle to pick it up at all. I feel especially guilty because it's an ARC and I feel so grateful to have gotten the chance to read it but...it's boring, to be honest. I'm a lover of historical fiction, and I was hoping for something exciting and complex, especially with a book set within this time period of the Ottoman Empire. Instead, I got something complex but with boring characters and trivial event after trivial event.

It seemed as though this was just a research paper written in first person. The writing, don't get me wrong, was actually quite good. The prose had a poetic quality that I did enjoy reading. However, nothing happened. There was nuance in the characters' decisions and emotions, but I think much of it was lost on me as a reader. The characters were flat, trapped within (I assume) the few primary sources we have about them. It seemed as though the author was afraid of flushing them out or making up any of their personality traits.

I found myself increasingly frustrated by this, especially with the main character (whose name(s) I cannot even remember right now, to be honest). She's a woman kidnapped, abused, treated like an object again and again in a strange place. Sexually abused until she produced a living son. She undergoes horrendous experiences and yes, she speaks on them, but I never felt any emotion at all. I felt bad for her but only as bad as I would feel for a complete stranger I'd never met. Shes a strong female character with an austere exterior, I get that, but considering that this was in first person, I'd have expected a little bit more insight into how she actually feels, not how she acts like she feels.

The male characters around her had a bit more personality, including Suleiman (the Magnificent), her teacher, Matraki (sp?), and her son. Suleiman was the most flushed-out individual, but of course he is the most famous historical figure included in the book. In fact, I felt as though it was actually a book about Suleiman, and while I know he would soon die after the point at which I stopped reading (not a spoiler, it actually happened in real life like 500 years ago), I just couldn't read about him any more. He was a terrible person whose intentions I couldn't even begin to understand let alone relate to.

Overall, the writing in this book was gorgeous and had a lot of potential. Certain sections actually felt like poetry, and the descriptions of scenery, people, and clothing were so vivid that I never had any trouble imagining them. However, my ability to connect stopped there. The characters themselves were disappointingly dull, and I wish I had enjoyed this more because I was really excited about it!

[Penmouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mapmaker's Daughter by Katherine Nouri Hughes is a well-written book that starts off at a fast pace that draws the reader into the story. Hughes has developed characters with depth, backed up with excellent historical research, and an wonderful storyline. The reason why I gave her book a 4 star rating is some of the writing is a bit nebulous and in one instance does not quite follow historical context.

The nebulous incident concerns Safiye getting into an argument with Murad III. The character, Nurbanu, comments on the argument but is unclear about what really happened. To me the inference was Safiye was killed by Murad III but she later appears in the story as an active character. I am a pretty good reader, and normally I can figure out the storyline, but in this instance I was not clear about what really happened between Safiye and Murad III.

The incident that seemed to be out of historical context was presumed lesbian lovemaking between Nurbanu and Esther Handali. In the story Nurbanu and Esther kiss mouth-to-mouth, bodies together, ankles locked. I suspect Islam does not condone homosexual affairs and including this incident in the book is out of historical context, if I understood the writing correctly. This ruined the believability of the historic novel as I believe historic novels should be written to match the time period they reflect. I do know historic novels take artistic license when it comes to history, and they are not supposed to be historically accurate, but there has to be a believability factor. The rest of the sexual incidents and romantic encounters seem to follow historic context.

I loved the illustrations found sprinkled throughout the book. I also loved the strong, intelligent character originally named Cecillia Baffo Veniero, who later took the name Nurbanu. She was kidnapped by Ottoman soldiers, taken to an Ottoman harem, educated thanks to the Sultan and later married Selim II.

Nurbanu's life is a colorful and unusual one as she was educated. She was also a strong leader. Both qualities were not typically found during that time period.

Recommend with caveats given.

Review written after downloading a galley from Net Galley.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 16th century, the story of Cecilia taken captive at a very young age from her island home into the keeping of Suleyman the Magnificient was no accident. It was a planned maneuvre because they did know the value of this very young girl.

Taking the name of Nurbanu, she rises to the most important position within the Empire as wife of the son of Suleyman who eventually becomes Sultan. She was also the mother of the future Sultan and her position of authority and power was assured. She was however the chosen one of Suleyman who felt that her character had the strength and the willpower to undertake a chore that very very few human beings could do. To put to death all brothers of the future Emperor when the moment came. He knew that this was not something that any person could do. He was assured that even though he would be dead by the time the need arose, that she would unflinchingly carry out his orders and this she did.

The story of Nurbanu was a fascinating one. Escaping the harem and being just a concubine she was chosen for her brilliance and her character as one befitting being the wife of a weak but good Sultan who could support, guide and advice him as necessary and be protective of the future Sultan as well. That she was manipulative and calculating was to the benefit of the Sultanate. Her intelligence in establishing an observatory and being proficient in the sciences was a bonus.

The story told in the form of a memoir and a confession details in descriptive detail the wars, the extent of the Sultan's empire, the workings of the court and the position of women at the time of the Sultan. The background information and setting was very detailed and gave the life of those involved with the Sultan a lot of meaning. For those who like history in any form, this was a very good read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the tumultuous 16th century, Ms. Nouri Hughes’ sweeping novel takes the reader from the canals of Venice to the court of Suleiman the Magnificent at the height of the Ottoman Empire. The book takes the form of the written confession of Nurbanu (nee Cecilia Veniero), daughter of an affluent Venetian family who, as a young girl, is captured by the Ottoman navy and placed as a consort in the Sultan’s harem. Nurbanu is unique in that she has received an extensive formal education. This comes to the notice of the Sultan who favors her with an opportunity to continue her studies. This sets in motion a series of encounters that take her and the reader through some of the most dramatic events of the period. This was a time of great advancements in science, mathematics and engineering, fields that the Sultan took interest in and supported. One of the underlying themes of the novel is the power of knowledge to overcome the obstacles and challenges of life. This was also a time of epic violence as armies and navies clashed over religious ideology. There are a number passages in which the unchecked brutality of the age is described in vivid detail but always within the context of the story. It is evident that the author has done years of research to effectively tell this story of Nurbanu who was an actual person who lived through the events described here. It is a fast paced, well written novel that fans of historical fiction will enjoy.

Disclosure: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher (Open Road Integrated Media) through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

[Katrina Doerfler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating historical fiction. Real insight into the Ottoman Empire’s strength and its relationship with the city/state Venice, at that time. And, for a woman, what an incredible life and twist of fate. Her knowledge and skills saved her.

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC - I read this on a Kindle Paperwhite, but that is not an edition option here at this time.

At first, I thought I was having trouble getting into this book. Then I realized that the first few pages are a list of characters, a map of the Ottoman Empire, and a genealogy page. Those are so small as to be unreadable in the Paperwhite format, so I thought I was missing something.

When I relaxed and allowed myself to enjoy the story line and not read as though I was going to be tested on the content, I truly enjoyed the story. There are parts that read like poetry, evoking imagery and imagination about the era and the palace.

Fiction based on the life of Ceclia/Nurbanu Sultan, taking place in the 16th century, this book is full of detail, presented as a diary of confessions. It is clear that the author has done extensive research, and has presented the growth and contribution of the Ottoman Empire here in a human, palatable context. I appreciate this insight, and feel not just a bit more enlightened, but also a bit more compassionate; a difficult reaction to explain.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How wonderful to read a book from such a unique perspective. This extraordinary woman's life is something that should be shared because of her experiences, achievements and intelligence.
From her childhood as a young girl growing up in Venice and then in Greece, to her kidnapping and subsequent life as wife of a Sultan, the protagonist is able to provide a viewpoint that is sympathetic to both Christian and Islamic cultures at the time. I studied Mediaeval history in the 1990's, mostly from a Christian-centric Western European perspective, so this is the first time I have read anything that sheds a light on the Ottoman Empire at that time. The novel chronicles the beginnings of tensions between Christians and Islam, not in a judgmental way, but with honesty. This novel encourages an understanding of the past that is truly enlightening. The only criticism I have is that, at times, the characters lack authenticity. I found it hard to get a handle on the character's actual personalities and motivations. Still, the book is well-written and sumptuous. It's really 3.5 stars from me.

[Linda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be the most heavily researched historical fiction that I have ever read. It has a map, genealogy chart, list of characters, and sources. The Mapmaker's Daughter of the title is a woman who was captured as a girl by Ottoman invaders. She was renamed Nurbanu and instructed in the language, religion, and culture of her captors. Nurbanu attracts the attention of Sultan Suleiman. He places her with his favorite son's tutor to further her education. Ultimately, she rises to power and becomes the wife, mother and grandmother of future sultans. The novel purports to be a "confession" written from her deathbed. And Nurbanu has much to confess. Power has exacted a heavy price. While this is the story of a fascinating woman, it can be a bit of a ponderous read. As a rule, I like less history in my historical fiction. The inner struggles of the harem, the brutal battles of an empire that is constantly expanding, the cruel murders within the family and their inner circle - it can all be rather exhausting. It doesn't help that the line of succession continually uses the same names for their sons and grandsons. Bottom line: I'm glad that I read this book but it was more work than play.

[Raji · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading historical fiction about the Ottoman Empire. I'd never heard of Nurbanu before but did some research and found it very interesting and so read this book.
The Mapmaker's Daughter tells the story of Venetian born Cecelia Baffo-Veniero who is taken captive during a raid by the Ottomans. But due to her being literate and her noble birth, she is taught to read and write Arabic and soon joins the Sultan's favourite son in his studies.
The transformation of the ordinary girl Cecelia into Nurbanu Sultan, one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire is a very interesting one. I found the narration a little confusing as it was hard to tell immediately when the story was switching between past and present, but the time period and political situation is vividly described and well portrayed.

[Alayna Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about Nurbanu Sultan. It is written as a diary of her personal accounts on how she became one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire after being abducted during the Ottoman Venetian War. As I stated before, from an unpopular opinion compared to other reviews, I found it to be very intriguing. The only downfall and issue I had with the book was how it jumped from time periods, it just made it a little difficult to read, however it is in the style of a personal memoir of a dying woman so that is to be expected. I will recommend for future readers to be sure to take your time reading as there are a slew of names being introduced and it gets hard to keep up so be sure to pay attention and familiarize yourself with the list of characters at the front of the book as well as the small genealogy tree to assist with that.
Extremely fascinating read and a tear jerker in some parts.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in the form of a deathbed memoir, Nurbanu reflects on the manipulations and sacrifices that have marked her life. Hughes adeptly mixes fictionalized elements with historical details to flesh out the historical record of Cecilia Baflo Veniero, later known as Nurbanu, Queen Mother of the Ottoman Sultans. After being kidnapped and transported to Istanbul as a slave, she is singled out by Suleiman the Magnificent to receive opportunities for education, and by marriage to his son Selim, access to power. She uses her position to affect the empire's political direction, protect her family, and, most notably, oppose a barbaric law of fratricide designed to maintain authoritarian control of the Ottoman Empire.

[Erin Nikitchyuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book but didn't love it. I wavered between a 3-star and 4-star rating. I love historical fiction and liked that it was about a strong smart woman in a time long ago functioning in a strong patriarchy. I came away with a better understanding of the age and the dynamic of the mixing of cultures from what would be far-flung areas in that day. I disagree that it was poorly written. It didn't bother me. There was a disjointedness about some of it, which I think was ok because she's on her deathbed writing as she is very ill, so it made sense with the narrative. There were two big twists at the end (I won't spoil it) and I felt they could have been handled better.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started before Mary of Magdalene and sort of read in tandem before abandoning this one - the other author so superior to this one. I abandoned this book on page 230. I stayed with it longer than I might have because I had searched a long time for a copy of this book after hearing the author spent "20 years researching." She was obviously busy doing a lot of other things besides her "research" because the story is so disjointed and vacuous. I reluctantly put it in historical fiction category because I suspect the only fact in it is that this was a real woman although the author failed decidedly in bringing her to life for the reader.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read about this book in AARP magazine. The article about the author I found really inspiring about not giving up on your dreams or what you're passionate about. This book is something I never would've read if I'd just seen it at the library or a bookstore. It truly was a book I've never read and has no plot or story line like any I've ever read in my life. I wouldn't say it's a great book, but it's thought provoking and I liked the style the author chose to write it in. This book could become one of those books that's required reading in an English class because of the writing style and subject matter.