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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
A book of two halves. The interesting concept that we retain a level of consciousness for a brief time after death, switches to a tale of loyalty and friendship. Booker shortlist 2019.
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Police brutality, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
The language was overwhelmingly flowery for my tastes, but the characters were so lovable that I didn’t truly mind. Part I was better than Part II, but the narrative as a whole was structured beautifully.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
No
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
A hauntingly lyrical dive into memory, death, and found family.
We follow Leila, a sex worker in Istanbul, whose brain keeps flickering with vivid memories for 10 minutes and 38 seconds after her heart stops beating. What unfolds is not just a chronicle of her life, but of friendship, survival, and resilience in a city that both nurtures and devours.
💔 It’s raw. It’s political. It’s painfully human.
The first half broke me. The second half felt a bit disjointed—but still emotionally satisfying. The prose is lush, the characters unforgettable, and the themes cut deep.
🌊 Not a light read, but a meaningful one. Shafak paints Istanbul with both love and fury.
Would I recommend it? Yes, especially to those who love literary historical fiction that mixes the poetic with the tragic.
emotional
sad
tense
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