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Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
27 reviews
I found this story very moving and hard to read in parts a tragic story and her abrupt death. There is hope mixed in there with the 5 friends and their stories but also some great sadness.
A comment on Sex work in Istanbul, the struggles of the trans community and the harsh realities of a repressed nation and its obvious disdain for women.
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Sexual harassment
The concept, the narrative, the cast of diverse characters and stories, the vivid and immersive descriptions of Istanbul
What I disliked:
The sheer amount of trauma, which almost started feeling like sensationalism, especially when accompanied with little to no reflection on it. (I wish I had read the trigger warnings before hand.) How much the first part slogged in comparison to the second and third parts.
It was a good read but does not make me motivated to read other works by Shafak.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Transphobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
This foray into Leila's memories offers a vivid look into the experiences of a young girl growing up in rural Turkey. Some of her experiences as a child are universal, but cultural details are woven seamlessly into the narrative. A father who turns deeper toward Islam when his life doesn't turn out the way he expects, the juxtaposition of Qur'an reading day and waxing day for women in the village. When Leila runs away to Istanbul, her memories provide a glimpse into the dark undercurrent of the city: brothels, jail cells, and socialist movements during the 1970s.
At the heart of this story you meet "the five," Leila's closest friends and fiercest protectors... a collection of misunderstood and marginalized people she meets along the way. Each of these characters deserve a novel all their own, but their voices introduce dark humor, compassion, and alternate perspectives to the complex life of Leila.
This book was so wonderfully written that I immediately purchased The Island of Missing Trees from Elif Shafak, I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Police brutality, Trafficking, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment