Book Review: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.09/5) | Pages: 312 | Purchase: Amazon

A Hauntingly Beautiful Journey Through Memory and Friendship

Elif Shafak’s 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a novel that lingers—like the fading pulse of its protagonist, Leila, whose consciousness unravels in the minutes after her death. Set against the vibrant yet gritty backdrop of Istanbul, this book weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and resilience through the stories of society’s outcasts.

What Makes This Book Special?

Shafak’s storytelling is both poetic and grounded, blending scientific curiosity (the title refers to the brain’s activity post-death) with deep emotional resonance. Leila, a sex worker murdered at the story’s start, revisits key memories—her childhood trauma, her "waterless" marriage, and the five misfit friends who became her true family. Through these flashes, Shafak paints Istanbul in all its contradictions: a city of glittering minarets and shadowed alleyways, where kindness and cruelty coexist.

Readers consistently praise Shafak’s ability to humanize marginalized voices. Leila’s friends—a transgender woman, a grieving dishwasher, a runaway, and others—are rendered with tenderness, their quirks and struggles making them unforgettable. The novel’s middle section, a madcap adventure to reclaim Leila’s dignity, balances heartbreak with humor, showcasing Shafak’s deft tonal control.

Who Will Love This Book?

• Literary fiction fans will appreciate the lyrical prose and unconventional structure.
• Readers seeking diverse perspectives will find Istanbul’s underbelly vividly alive.
• Those who cherish character-driven stories will adore Leila’s found family.

A Few Considerations

While the novel’s themes are profound, Shafak avoids graphic violence, focusing instead on emotional impact. Some readers note the pacing slows in the second half, but the payoff—a meditation on how love outlasts death—is widely celebrated. The translation (from Turkish) retains a rhythmic beauty, making it accessible without losing cultural nuance.

Final Verdict

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a triumph of empathy and imagination. Shafak reminds us that every life, however fleeting or fraught, contains universes of memory and meaning. It’s a book that will haunt you—in the best way possible.

Perfect for: Book clubs, fans of The Bastard of Istanbul, or anyone who believes stories can change the world.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.09/5 from 74,007+ ratings on Goodreads)