Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

65 reviews

stabilesero's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

The balance Shafak managed to reach between being absolutely heart-wrenching and comforting... Is astounding. There is no comfort from the book plot and main themes (it is a very heavy, but must be spoken about kind of book), but Leila's friends and their commitment to her body and soul is breathtaking. I almost cried, and that says a lot. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Police brutality, Death, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry

alyssatuininga's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

What an absolutely beautiful book! I picked this book up as part of my read around the world challenge.  The writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous and the characters are so deep and rich. I will definitely read more of her books. Not many books draw me in from the first line but this one did. I was sad it was over. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Violence

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

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Content Warnings

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

alex_wordweaver's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense fast-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

5.0

This book was wonderful. So, so, so, soooo good. Beautiful book, wonderful cast of characters. Loved this book so much.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Transphobia, and Death

Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Violence, and Pedophilia

carolinebl's review

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.

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Content Warnings

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

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

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

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

Moderate: Ableism, Abandonment, and Transphobia

claremonaghan98's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

jessiemcg's review

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

I’m stuck on giving this book a 4.5 or a 5. The writing is superb (I’ve only ever heard middle aged people use that word) but the ending lost me only *slightly*. This was however a fantastic and profound book, beautifully written yet heavy and often times hard to read. Honestly a brilliant book - Elif Shafak is quickly becoming one of my favourite novelists. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Hate crime, Mental illness, and Police brutality

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

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

Minor: Pregnancy and Police brutality

mariannelwnicholson's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

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