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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
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:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
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
emotional
sad
slow-paced
10/10 : TW: child sexual abuse, miscarriage, sexual violence. It might be an idea to Google the specific list of trigger warnings for this book, but if it’s safe for you, then I really recommend you read this! The protagonist, Tequila Leila, a sex worker in Istanbul, has been killed, her body yet to be found in a dumpster. Despite her untimely death, her brain continues to be active for 10 minutes & 38 seconds. During this time, Leila vividly recalls sensory memories from her tumultuous life, thereby telling her own story & those of the 5 - her best friends. This book is a wildly superb piece of storytelling, such a vivid & graphic novel, the characters of which really come to life, after Leila’s murder. Based on such a fascinating concept, I thoroughly enjoyed this read, despite the grim circumstances oft encountered.
Such an uncomfortable read at times, but in the whole a very interesting tale about people doing their best in a horrific environment.
It felt a bit strange that the story did not
After her death the story focuses on her friends and while it is still interesting it has lost a lot of its lustre.
It felt a bit strange that the story did not
Spoiler
end after Leila’s death as I was completely expecting that to be the conclusion of the story. One would feel a bit helpless to know that this was all just leading up to her death in the final page, but the feeling of helplessness is a thread throughout the book so it would have been a fitting end.After her death the story focuses on her friends and while it is still interesting it has lost a lot of its lustre.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
An exquisite narrative from a master writer, imaginative, moving, inspiring.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
informative
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:
No
There's a reason why Elif Shafak is one of my favourite writers: she has a unique gift for storytelling, but also for seeing beauty in what's perceived as ugly, and describing the everyday in a hauntingly moving way. This book made me cry and laugh and think and hope, and its characters, with all their flaws, made me crave connection with other humans.
Beautiful story about resilience and chosen family. Loved it.