1.25k reviews for:

The Bastard of Istanbul

Elif Shafak

3.84 AVERAGE

emmalong's review against another edition

4.5

challenging funny informative 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: Complicated

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Elif Shafak has the capability of creating the most beautiful yet heartbreaking female main characters i have ever read. Zeliha will forever be special to me, similar to Leila. this book was harrowing, upsetting, and saddening but also hopeful, informative, and reflective. it was honestly so deeply layered and convoluted but i understand why after finishing it. the way the Armenian genocide was discussed was thoughtful and taught me about history i did not know. important conversations on sexism, militarism, genocide, power, and the patriarchy - this book was incredible. 

johnbyers1500's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny mysterious 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

lorenzacos's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sanamiraj's review against another edition

4.5

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

danielleelizabethleigh's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jwrchappell's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emile_or_y's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny hopeful informative 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

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Loved the complex set of characters.

jskaletsky's review against another edition

3.0

dark informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

crescent_skywalker's review against another edition

4.25

emotional informative tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

ondy19's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated