Reviews tagging 'Trafficking'

Mis Últimos 10 Minutos y 38 Segundos en este Extraño Mundo by Elif Shafak

64 reviews

annanas's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was a book chosen for the book club I'm in. I wanted to quit reading many times since it was very triggering and made me cry several times. I sincerely reccomand checking the trigger warnings, and maybe skip this book if graphic descriptions of sexual assult is too much for you.

Other than that I'm glad I finished the book. I fell in love with many of the characters who in a world where they are left out and marginlized, they found each other and created their own chosen family. I felt very isnpired by the main character who against all odds were the most genuine and caring person towards her friends, and it was very beautiful how they wanted to honor her memory. There is something very healing about stories about people who don't fit into the norm, but they form genuine connections with each other, without judgement, and instead they just enjoy each others company.

What I also enjoyed about the book was that it discusses cultural differences and attitudes when it comes to family, relationships and death. And it was also interesting to learn about Turkey, and Istanbul when it comes to their food, their clothes and other cultural expressions. I met up with my book club at a Turkish restaurant where we tried food inspired from the book. We had many interesting discussions as well as many different opnions, so overall I'm very grateful for being able to have that experience.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

Moderate: Ableism, Transphobia, and Abandonment

cyden's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Trafficking, and Grief

Minor: Police brutality and Pregnancy

helen777's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual violence

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Alcohol, and War

uhhjeepers's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

*for school*

This could be recency bias, but this might be the best book I’ve ever read for school. It was an extremely difficult read at points, but I feel so rewarded by the experience regardless. 

Leila and her friends are characters that I truly believe will stick with me forever. This book is filled with difficult topics, but it is also filled with so much heart. Love and friendship seep out of this book. 

I’m left with an overwhelming feeling of appreciation for the people in my life. Nobody is companionless, and this book forces you to know that, even when you’re at your loneliest.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Trafficking, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Pregnancy

cartermon4's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Drug use and Trafficking

cicip's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, and Trafficking

bitsofcherry's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was beautifully written, the imagery and metaphors are amazing, and I adored the emphasis on tastes and smells in each memory chapter.
The book turned out to be way darker than I expected (note to read trigger warnings before starting a new book) but it was a very powerful read and left me reflecting on life, death and power dynamics in different cultures throughout the world. I absolutely adored the friendships like sprinkles of light in such a dark setting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Miscarriage

jessv's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I guess I should've assumed that a novel where the protagonist is dead/dying from the start would be dark, but it was more intense and depressing than I expected. Despite this, I was immediately drawn into the story by the author's writing style (I also loved The Island of Missing Trees) and the flashbacks of Leila's life were really interesting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death and Trafficking

adampjt's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Ableism, Miscarriage, and Trafficking

Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Transphobia

amkclaes's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

i found this book raw, beautiful, tender, transporting.. really vivid settings and narrative frame. i felt a bit estranged from the main character though

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Rape, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Murder