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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
I loved the first part of this book and found the flashback structure interesting. The description of Leyla's life is beautifully done and also the stories of the 5 friends is well worked out in my opinion. However, the second part becomes almost slapstick material and I could immediately see us finishing up in some silly comedy film, this took away, for me, quiet a bit of credibility of the first part and that was a pity.
All in all, although the idea is great, it looks like the working out part is a bit hanging together forcibly with several loose ends that kept me hanging. For example I would like the theme of the prostitute killings being worked out a bit more rather than the digging up of the corpse and the crazy drive through the city with it. I really didn't understand the why of the change of tone in the second part.
All in all, although the idea is great, it looks like the working out part is a bit hanging together forcibly with several loose ends that kept me hanging. For example I would like the theme of the prostitute killings being worked out a bit more rather than the digging up of the corpse and the crazy drive through the city with it. I really didn't understand the why of the change of tone in the second part.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I loved loved loved the first half but the second half sort of lost me
challenging
emotional
informative
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:
Complicated
There's many parts to the experience of this book, many of which are filled with a nobility towards childhood and moments where adults are no longer protector figures, which I adored. I also adored the vibrant portrayal of an Istanbul I didn't know previously, though I can sense details of Shafak's portrayal of the political turmoil of the late 20th century being one that has a certain sentimental yet pointed purpose to it. Looking forward to reading more Turkish fiction, especially contemporaries whose voices are not upheld as "the voice of Turkey" by an English audience.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
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