Reviews tagging 'Murder'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

67 reviews

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

---

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

carolinebl's review against another edition

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.

---

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

chanley_33's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring 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

A tapestry of the underbelly of Istanbul. Chaotic and colourful. Poignant and raw. A collection of wonderful characters and intense events told expertly. Absolutely loved this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Sexual violence

gabrizzle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Death

Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Murder

Minor: Self harm and Transphobia

robyn1998's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

 This was so divided between the first and second half that it almost felt like two different books by two different writers. I loved the first half and would have given it 5 stars - it was so subtle, beautifully written, heartbreaking, nuanced and interesting. Then the second half dramatically switched in tone and became like a slapstick comedy with all Leila's friends behaving very stupidly and unrealistically. I got the sense that she was trying hard to be funny but it just came across as awkward and strange as the subject matter was not funny in the least. I would've loved to know what inspired Elif Shafak to have written the book in this way?  
 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault

megansoetaert's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

i really loved leila’s story 🫶🏼 this was about so much more than just her death- it was about how she became who she was, her family in the past, and her chosen family in the present. i loved the cast of characters & the way the book was framed through memories with each of them and their stories. 

although these characters were fictional, Shafak mentions how they are all real in some fashion. it makes me want a better world for all people, especially women, and for women to have the ability to determine their own lives. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Mental illness, Murder, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Transphobia

mariannelwnicholson's review

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

---

Content Warnings

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

uhhjeepers's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

*for school*

This could be recency bias, but this might be the best book I’ve ever read for school. It was an extremely difficult read at points, but I feel so rewarded by the experience regardless. 

Leila and her friends are characters that I truly believe will stick with me forever. This book is filled with difficult topics, but it is also filled with so much heart. Love and friendship seep out of this book. 

I’m left with an overwhelming feeling of appreciation for the people in my life. Nobody is companionless, and this book forces you to know that, even when you’re at your loneliest.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Incest, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Racism, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Transphobia, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Miscarriage, and Trafficking

Minor: Pregnancy

cartermon4's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Death

Moderate: Classism, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content

Minor: Trafficking and Drug use

cicip's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Transphobia

Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, and Trafficking