Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

160 reviews

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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alixben's review

2.75

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was dark and utterly heart-wrenching. 

The story was unique and I loved the exploration of Istanbul.

The only part that I didnt like is that Leila didnt get justice for her murder. We get extra scenes with the murderes in the drive through, but after that, this part of the plot seems to get forgotten.


I'll definitely be exploring this author further!!

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

A book unlike any others I have read before. The characters were unique and realistic. The way the book was formatted really helped to absorb me into the story. A book I would recommend any adult reads

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emotional 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

I was immediately entranced by 10 Minutes, 38 Seconds. For a novel that centres on death it is brimming with life, and Leila's determination to live it while she can on her own terms.

I loved the structure, how each minute after Leila's death brings a sense that evokes a new memory, and we build a picture of her life. But I was glad to get to the next part because I so wanted to learn more about the five, and I was thrilled they took such a big role in the end of the book. The found family and their adventure borders on the ridiculous, which lightens the mood when it's badly needed. And reminds the reader to find the joy.

Emotional, evocative and beautifully written.

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This is the second book of Elif’s that I have read and I just love how she has a unique…twist on these stories.

And just like The Island of Missing Trees, this had me just as emotional. 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

Heart wrenching, beautiful. I don’t have much to say about this book that isn’t positive. This book had a massive impact on me, and moved me to no end. I don’t have the words to coherently explain my thoughts on it right now! Too much emotion! 

I read this in three days. Shafak is a truly magnificent writer. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 stars was because I LOVED part 1 and then didn’t feel as engaged at the start of part 2. However, by the end I was completely invested again. 

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adventurous challenging dark inspiring reflective 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: Complicated

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challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Heart-wrenching and oddly comforting.

This feels like two books: the first half tells the story of Tequila Leila’s life and death, one minute at a time. The second half… well, I won’t spoil that. What I will say is that I, like others, struggled a bit with the tonal shift in the second half. But I liked the overall messages about found family, justice, finding peace when life is just truly, deeply unfair, and what it means to know and love a person. 
Content warnings for sure apply here. 

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