Reviews - 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

3.79k reviews for:

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

Elif Shafak

4.11 AVERAGE

mdigreg's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

theresereadsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

Just…just read this book, okay?

gregua's review against another edition

4.25

emotional 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: Complicated

lolabecool's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

goranlowie's review against another edition

3.0

This is the kind of book that kind of sells you just on the concept. It's even better when the execution of it is good as well. Shafak weaves together political events with the memories of Leila, crafting a beautiful and interesting work.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stay like that. The last 40% or so of the book takes place after the "10 minutes and 38 seconds", and becomes this kind of melodramatic adventure story in a very different tone compared to the first half. It didn't suit the much stronger first part of the book, and kind of baffled me in why the author decided to go this route with the book.

Despite some flaws, it's still an enjoyable read.