The Golden Throne

Reviews

This is history, but not as we know it. It is non-fiction posing as a novel, rich in incident and cinematic detail. It's tremendous . . . It's a sign of how thoroughly gripping this book is that I found myself wanting a second volume as soon as possible Christopher de Bellaigue brings to life the world of Suleyman and leaves the reader reeling with his descriptions of astonishing excess in both wealth and brutality. The pace, the language and the story-telling are simply magnificent Christopher de Bellaigue creates thrilling entertainment out of meticulously researched history Wolf Hall for the Ottoman Empire ... History at its most gripping ... And the next two volumes, we know, will have plenty of drama to come The most daring history book of the year. Unforgettable A formidable book ... incredible An urgent, immersive, present-tense gallop ... behind the bejewelled descriptive prose a thumping pulse of action tugs us through Luminous ... gripping ... truly magnificent Exquisite . . . So arresting is this book, so enveloping in the tensions of its narrative, that most readers will feel a pang of sorrow that the tale does not run on. The Lion House leaves us with a tease, or taunt: 'Who, apart from God, can say what will come next?' A sequel, surely. Although it was the peak of the Ottoman Empire, Suleyman's reign also offers clear glimpses of a great decline to come. Who better to tell us about it than Mr. de Bellaigue? There are books that enlarge the mind, there are books that enrich the soul, but rarely comes a book so beautifully-written and profound that it manages to do both Expand reviews