A review by ihlaay
The Gaze by Elif Shafak

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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.