Reviews tagging 'Murder'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

80 reviews

an_finsceal's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Murder

Minor: Transphobia and Trafficking

iambookmad's review against another edition

dark 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

4.0

This book started off as one thing and ended completely differently but it still had a massive effect on me especially as someone who’s lost a lot of family the last 18 months

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual violence, and Murder

reading_under_covers's review against another edition

4.0

A powerful and heartbreaking story.

The found family aspect was one of the strongest I’ve seen.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Transphobia, and Murder

sweeettea's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

carolinebl's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

I love how Elif Shafak writes of Istanbul, honestly and brutally whilst also lovingly. This is another complex, dark, funny and deeply human novel. The story of Tequila Leila deserves to be told, though in many ways this was the story of the people that formed her life. Some aspects of characterisation were too much for me, such as the names (Sabotage, Zaynab122 etc.) but it was overall a beautifully written story of friendship and struggle.

I still have questions about D/Ali. And did Leila know that Sabotage was in love with her? I’m glad he didn’t die with her body, but was forced to confront his divided life.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief

Moderate: Self harm, Transphobia, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Addiction, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders

chanley_33's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring 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

A tapestry of the underbelly of Istanbul. Chaotic and colourful. Poignant and raw. A collection of wonderful characters and intense events told expertly. Absolutely loved this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence and Murder

gabrizzle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Death

Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Murder

Minor: Self harm and Transphobia

robyn1998's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense 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

3.5

 This was so divided between the first and second half that it almost felt like two different books by two different writers. I loved the first half and would have given it 5 stars - it was so subtle, beautifully written, heartbreaking, nuanced and interesting. Then the second half dramatically switched in tone and became like a slapstick comedy with all Leila's friends behaving very stupidly and unrealistically. I got the sense that she was trying hard to be funny but it just came across as awkward and strange as the subject matter was not funny in the least. I would've loved to know what inspired Elif Shafak to have written the book in this way?  
 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder

megansoetaert's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

i really loved leila’s story 🫶🏼 this was about so much more than just her death- it was about how she became who she was, her family in the past, and her chosen family in the present. i loved the cast of characters & the way the book was framed through memories with each of them and their stories. 

although these characters were fictional, Shafak mentions how they are all real in some fashion. it makes me want a better world for all people, especially women, and for women to have the ability to determine their own lives. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Transphobia

mariannelwnicholson's review against another edition

I really couldn't get on with how much SA and sadness there is in this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder