Description
In 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, famous novelist Elif Shafak takes you to the last moments of Tequila Leila’s life and the lasting effects she has on others around her. Leila’s body is submerged in a bathtub, but her mind stays awake for ten minutes and thirty-eight seconds, during which time her five senses guide her through a flood of vivid recollections. Each flashback shows a different part of her journey: the comfort of her mother’s lullabies, the excitement of first love, the pain of betrayal, and the strong ties she makes with her chosen family of misfits.
In this journey, the essence of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds is captured in every memory that unfolds.
Shafak changes the point of view in different chapters to that of Leila’s closest friends, who are all connected to her by love, loyalty, and shared hardship. There is Şero the gentle giant who saves cats from alleyways, Zilan the strong activist who puts everything on the line for justice, Süleyman the kind-hearted healer, and Batran the lonely poet. As they work together, they become memory detectives, piecing together Leila’s life narrative to find out what really happened to her and to teach us that even the tiniest moments may have a big impact on our lives.
As the story unfolds, the significance of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds is revealed through the connections between the characters.
Elif Shafak writes about subjects like sorrow, gender, and cultural identity in modern Istanbul, mixing poetic language with harsh social commentary. She tells her story in a way that makes death seem like a lens that makes life’s joys and tragedies bigger. There are parts that will make you feel like you’re in a trance as they praise the beauty of daily things like a hot cup of tea at dawn, the sound of a pen on paper, and the reassuring weight of a friend’s hand.
The author poignantly illustrates how 10 Minutes 38 Seconds can redefine our understanding of life and death.
This strange world for 10 Minutes 38 Seconds is both a tribute to the power of stories and a funeral for the human spirit. It tells us that even as our senses fade, the memories we leave behind continue to light up the lives of the people we love. This book will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page, reminding you to enjoy every moment of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds.
About the Author
Elif Shafak is a British-Turkish novelist and essayist who has won many awards. Her work has been translated into more than fifty languages. She is a strong supporter of women’s rights and free speech, and she tells stories that are rich in history and culture. The Bastard of Istanbul and The Forty Rules of Love are two of her other books.
Elif Shafak’s storytelling in 10 Minutes 38 Seconds is a testament to her literary prowess.
Product Details
Readers can explore the depths of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds through the intricate details provided in the product description.
- ISBN-13:9780241293874
- Publisher: Viking (an imprint of Penguin Random House)
- Published: June 2019
- Pages: 352
- Binding: Paperback
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