A review by rarasreads
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

This was a vividly, sensorial story about Leila who experiences a heightened state of awareness following her death in the streets of Istanbul. For 10 minutes and 38 seconds, readers become privy to Leila’s past memories beginning with her birth to the beautiful friendships she developed along the way that showcase water can be thicker than blood. 

The book is broken into two main parts, with the former focusing on Leila’s life trajectory and the latter on her friends’ grieving her death. I found Part One a bit more captivating while Part Two had more melodrama and elements of absurdity. However, both offer thought provoking scenes and discourse on a variety of topics like class, religion, gender & identity, family, and even the city of Istanbul itself and what it represents over time. 
 
While this may appear like a dark and tense tale at first, it still manages to utilize humor and exude hope. I certainly recommend giving this a read if you’re a fan of contemporary fiction and magical realism.
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