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A review by iced_mochas
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Mixed feelings with this one. I’ll start with a content warning. This novel does feature some graphic scenes of child abuse, sex abuse and self-harm – none of which I was prepared for.
I’ve been drawn to the premise of the ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds’ ever since I heard about it: the structure is based on the scientific theory that the brain can take up to 10 minutes to shut down after the heart stops. In that time, the protagonist of the story, Leila, a sex worker, sees her life flashing before her eyes. Certain memories re-surface.
Elif Shafak offers a historic sweep of Istanbul – the old and new, the grand and lowly, the elite and the outcasts. But it’s the outcasts who get full spotlight in this story. Shafak’s insights into ‘the street of the brothels’ in Istanbul, as well the ‘cemetery of the companionless’ (still in operation today), is based on factual research. It’s shocking and fascinating. I was invested in Leila and wanted her to shine. I think the novel succeeds in humanising those like her who become entangled in Istanbul’s web of trafficking and exploitation, unravelling the circumstances that lead to their current moment.
That said, I felt the character development of each of Leila’s band of friends comes in too late. I didn’t like the formulaic description of each character before they started speaking. And I didn't find the dialogue between them always natural or convincing. I can’t comment on the accuracy of representation of each minority group, but I sense that Shafak goes to extremes, resulting in caricature rather than empowerment through representation. I am increasingly appreciating subtlety as part of the skillset of a good author.
This novel has reinforced my sense that Shafak writes for the white gaze, something I acutely felt with the last book of hers that I read, ‘40 Rules’. There is no real complexity with the Muslim characters, just a mishmash of superstition and cultural oddities. How many times have I read that someone is “deeply religious” because they pray five times a day. Lord! I am begging, please stop! Does Shafak do this every time? If not, ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ and ‘There Are Rivers in the Sky’ could be next.
I’ve been drawn to the premise of the ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds’ ever since I heard about it: the structure is based on the scientific theory that the brain can take up to 10 minutes to shut down after the heart stops. In that time, the protagonist of the story, Leila, a sex worker, sees her life flashing before her eyes. Certain memories re-surface.
Elif Shafak offers a historic sweep of Istanbul – the old and new, the grand and lowly, the elite and the outcasts. But it’s the outcasts who get full spotlight in this story. Shafak’s insights into ‘the street of the brothels’ in Istanbul, as well the ‘cemetery of the companionless’ (still in operation today), is based on factual research. It’s shocking and fascinating. I was invested in Leila and wanted her to shine. I think the novel succeeds in humanising those like her who become entangled in Istanbul’s web of trafficking and exploitation, unravelling the circumstances that lead to their current moment.
That said, I felt the character development of each of Leila’s band of friends comes in too late. I didn’t like the formulaic description of each character before they started speaking. And I didn't find the dialogue between them always natural or convincing. I can’t comment on the accuracy of representation of each minority group, but I sense that Shafak goes to extremes, resulting in caricature rather than empowerment through representation. I am increasingly appreciating subtlety as part of the skillset of a good author.
This novel has reinforced my sense that Shafak writes for the white gaze, something I acutely felt with the last book of hers that I read, ‘40 Rules’. There is no real complexity with the Muslim characters, just a mishmash of superstition and cultural oddities. How many times have I read that someone is “deeply religious” because they pray five times a day. Lord! I am begging, please stop! Does Shafak do this every time? If not, ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ and ‘There Are Rivers in the Sky’ could be next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence