A review by reneerianne
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, by Elif Shafak

emotional reflective sad slow-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? No

4.0

Beautifully written, fascinating concept to read about the first moments after someone's death, and very vibrant characters. I learned a lot about the culture in Istanbul and was surprised (and ashamed) how little I knew about it actually! The middle of the book was most interesting to me, as it revealed most about Leila's life and this was where I felt like I really got to know her, though the backstory in the first part and the final 100 pages really nicely tied everything together. Unfortunately, I do think I will have forgotten most of the story again soon - let's see how long the memory lasts. Would definitely recommend this to those seeking to learn more about Turkish culture and history.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings