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meadhbh's review
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is the story of Leila, a sex worker who has just been killed in Istanbul, and the memories she recalls in her last 10 minutes and 38 seconds of life. It's also the story of the friends she's made, and how desperately we can care for the people we love.
I used to think that I didn't like historical fiction. It seemed boring and stuffy to me, and I could never really get into it.
I mostly still feel the same, but a series of non-Western modern history books have been slowly warming me to it. The Seven Moons of Mali Almeida and Mexican Gothic are two other recent reads I have loved.
This book is mostly about Leila and her friends, but it's also about Istanbul. It's about communism, and Islam, and sex work, while also not really being about any of those things. Read it.
I used to think that I didn't like historical fiction. It seemed boring and stuffy to me, and I could never really get into it.
I mostly still feel the same, but a series of non-Western modern history books have been slowly warming me to it. The Seven Moons of Mali Almeida and Mexican Gothic are two other recent reads I have loved.
This book is mostly about Leila and her friends, but it's also about Istanbul. It's about communism, and Islam, and sex work, while also not really being about any of those things. Read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Death, Grief, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Transphobia
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Blood, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Murder
Minor: Genocide
ruthmoog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
This has some very challenging topics but nonetheless I really enjoyed it. I will surely reread this, it's a brilliant idea to recount Leila's life you could say flashing Infront of her eyes. It's funny and approachable. Set in the drama of Istanbul and even, of course, a cat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Mass/school shootings, Incest, Confinement, Violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Genocide, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, Trafficking, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Hate crime, Gun violence, and Adult/minor relationship
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