Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

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

Moderate: Ableism, Abandonment, and Transphobia

kaleighbleu's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence

Minor: Transphobia, Ableism, and Gun violence

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

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

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

Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Miscarriage

adampjt's review

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, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Death

Moderate: Trafficking, Miscarriage, and Ableism

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

interlunar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Mass/school shootings

Moderate: Transphobia, Self harm, Kidnapping, Ableism, and Murder

gbmillar2002's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

Shafak beuatifullly weaves narratives and prose to create Tequila Lelia’s story. This is a story that blends her experience of death and her life, whilst also exploiting the affects on her found family. The plot, characters and word choice is excellent, however i the reason why I have not given this novel 5 stars is because strong emotion was not evoked eg sadness, happiness etc.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Xenophobia, Transphobia, Self harm, Ableism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Child death, Mental illness, and Trafficking

sakisreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? No

2.5

As striking and vivid as some of the imagery was, I unfortunately found this book disappointing 🥺 I think it had such an incredible concept (e.g. someone passing away and seeing parts of their life flash before their eyes) but it wasn’t well executed. I felt that Elif Shafak was rushing through some vital parts and slowing down some others. I am intrigued by Shafak’s walk of life and might venture to try her other books, but am not rushing to do it 🥲 Overall, I gave it a 2.5 out of 5 stars ✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Rape, Chronic illness, Ableism, Violence, Child abuse, Islamophobia, Incest, and Misogyny

irenemarie's review against another edition

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? Yes

5.0

Whew. My heart is filled and aches at the same time with this novel. The first half your admiration grows for someone whose fate you know is death. It is truly bittersweet. Tequila Leila is the friend you want to have, compassionate, accepting and courageous. Through her last minutes of life, you are introduced to her people, the five, whom she was fiercely loyal to, in return through the second half we learn how much she meant to them. I will reiterate what others have said, Elif Shafak is a phenomenal storyteller. Learning more about her voice through this novel and subsequent browsing on her, she is solidified as an auto-buy author for me. I am excited to explore her back catalogue.

 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Transphobia

Minor: Police brutality, Trafficking, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Child death, Suicide, Ableism, and Rape

sydneyjn's review against another edition

challenging 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? Yes

4.5

What a beautifully written, stunning book.  I loved the structure of the novel, with Leila remembering her friends and how they all met, and then the second half being her friends coming together.  The idea that, after you die, you're still remembering and piecing your life together - I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, Ableism, Transphobia, and Child death

Minor: Deadnaming