88 reviews for:

The Gaze

Elif Shafak

3.22 AVERAGE

ihlaay's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Despite being a huge fan of Elif Shafak and loving most of her work, I couldn’t fully connect with this novel. The story is bizarre and surreal at times, and the writing style, especially the use of slashes (/) instead of traditional punctuation, adds to the disorientation. This stylistic choice might aim to reflect fragmentation or inner turmoil, but it can also make the reading experience feel uneven. 

That said, the core message absolutely comes through: how we look at others, how we are looked at, and how bodies, gender, beauty, and power are framed in society. It's a sharp and necessary commentary on objectification, shame, and societal norms. 

While the narrative didn’t fully pull me in, the central idea is strong enough to leave an impression and helps balance out the strangeness of the form. 

sherenreads's review against another edition

2.5

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

modernishfable's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ooakanioo's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

snovellasimpson's review against another edition

2.0

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At times compelling, at other times much too whimsical.

samsimpson's review against another edition

2.0

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At times compelling, at other times much too whimsical.

ayjay3's review against another edition

3.0

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A bizarre book, of stories set in different periods.  Typical style of writing but ending just happened!

bookiemoonster5000's review against another edition

1.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

thestoryofts's review against another edition

3.0

challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

mimi13's review against another edition

2.75

mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A