The White Castle: Orhan Pamuk

A young Italian scholar is captured by pirates between Venice and Naples. After being put up for auction at the Istanbul slave market, he is bought by a Turkish savant eager to learn about scientific and intellectual advances in the West.
But as master and slave bond over each other’s sins and secrets, their relationship grows increasingly complex. They soon find themselves part of the Sultan’s army, and on a journey that will lead them to the mythical White Castle.