10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
by
Elif Shafak
Rating:
Tequila Leila, a prostitute from Istanbul, has been murdered and her body left in a dumpster. Though prostitution is legal in the city, she’s part of a class that is considered nothing. Her family has disowned her, but Leila has five friends who love her. And in the minutes just after death, her mind is working and remembering dear friends. During these 10 minutes and 38 seconds, in which a recent study supports the idea that, after death, the brain is still active for a period of time, Leila reflects upon a life of many difficulties, but one that has also brought her love and friendship.
Leila’s mind travels to the city of Van, where she was born in 1947, to the second wife of a tailor. Shafak describes her childhood and events that drive her to Istanbul to lead a life that has shamed her family. Friends are few, but the ones she makes, become her new family. They represent varied groups of misfits and lost souls and their stories are included in Leila’s reflections. Readers learn about specific times in her life through the 60s and 70s, leading up to her death in 1990.
Leila also recalls many historical events and political movements, some violent, in Turkey and Istanbul, a city that connects Europe and Asia, and one in which there are many opinions about religion, politics and government. Readers get a larger view of Istanbul during these times as world events occur.
When her body is discovered and sent to the city morgue, Leila’s friends must find a way to give her a proper burial, for she is otherwise destined to be sent to the Cemetery of the Companionless. It is in these final hours that the reader learns how far Leila’s friends will go to honor her.
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World was longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize. The book is divided into three parts, The Mind, The Body and The Soul, although most of it is dedicated to The Mind. This is the strongest part of the story. The rest of the book takes on a more comedic tone and, in my opinion, doesn’t match the thoughtful and moving sections of the first part. I think it detracts from what is an otherwise excellent story. Still, I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to readers who like something different. I learned a lot about Turkey and Istanbul as it relates to Leila’s story and real events.
Want to read some other reviews? Here’s what other bloggers are saying about 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World:
Jill’s Scene – A SMALL TOWN TAKE ON THE BIG, WIDE WORLD
Thoughts on Papyrus – Exploration of Literature, Cultures and Knowledge
FictionFan’s Book Reviews – REVIEWS OF BOOKS…AND OCCASIONAL OTHER STUFF
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Book Club Mom 
Thanks for the review, Barb!
Hi Jill – thanks for stopping by. Happy Monday!
Thanks for the tag/link and I agree with your review. It was a delightfully unusual book, but also ended up messier than I thought it would be. It seems that Shafak was torn as to the direction(s) her book should follow and attempted to pursue ALL of them! Ambitious, but not sure if it all came together in the end.
It’s not my typical read, but that premise is amazing – the time the brain is still functioning. That’s too bad about it changing tones from one part to the next. Nice review, Barbara!
I don’t think this one would be for me. I’m glad you enjoyed it, though. Great review!
Thanks, Stephanie. I was a little disappointed at the finish but overall I enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by – on to Tuesday!
I’ve read about this book in the NY Times . . . definitely intend to read it SOON.
Hi Jan – it’s a different kind of book but I enjoyed it. Thanks for the visit!
This sounds really interesting!
It was – I really loved the first part – the writing and the story were great. The last part was a little different, but still very readable. I didn’t know much about Istanbul or Turkey, so that was very interesting. Thanks for visiting, Lisa 🙂
That sounds like a book well worth reading. Thanks for letting us know about it!
Hi Ann – yes I definitely enjoyed it, especially the first part. The second part was a little different, but still enjoyable. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I read a review of this book somewhere else, Barbara, but I can’t remember where. It does sound really good. Have a great weekend.
Yes, I think I first heard about it from my blogging friend at Jill’s Scene. It’s an interesting book – I learned a lot about Istanbul, too. That’s one of the nice things about reading books set outside of my little world – it expands your understanding of people. Thanks for reading and commenting, Robbie.
This is on my shelf to read. Thank you for another detailed and thrilling post x
Hello there Books and Bakes – I hope you like it and thanks for the blogging compliment 🙂 Hope you are doing well.
You’re amazing, you know I have so much respect for you. X
Oh that’s so nice, Books and Bakes. Thank you 💙💛💚