Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

39 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

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

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.

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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

jessiemcg's review against another edition

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

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Transphobia

mariaminthebooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Rape, and Transphobia

hanami_sui's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective sad 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Murder, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

Moderate: Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Self harm, Violence, Body shaming, and Miscarriage

Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders

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 against another edition

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

ainotah's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Racism, Murder, Mental illness, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, Death, and Drug use

Moderate: Alcohol, Gun violence, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia