10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a powerful and haunting novel by Elif Shafak, exploring memory, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, this novel takes readers on an emotional journey through the final moments of a woman's life.

The story follows Tequila Leila, a woman lying in the outskirts of Istanbul, whose heart has stopped beating but whose brain remains active for exactly 10 minutes and 38 seconds. In those final moments, Leila’s mind brings forth a cascade of memories—of childhood, love, pain, and the friendships that shaped her life. Each passing minute reveals a vivid and poetic recollection, from her birth in a conservative family to her escape into Istanbul’s underbelly.

Shafak masterfully blends history, politics, and social issues while painting a deeply human portrait of an outcast and the found family that stood by her. With beautiful prose and compelling storytelling, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a poignant meditation on memory, loss, and the stories that define us.

Why 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a Must-Read

A Unique Narrative Perspective

The novel’s premise is both original and deeply moving, offering a glimpse into the final moments of a person's life and the memories that surface before everything fades away.

A Tribute to Outsiders

Shafak gives a voice to those on the margins of society, crafting a story about resilience, survival, and the power of friendship.

A Vivid Portrait of Istanbul

The novel beautifully captures the sights, sounds, and complexities of Istanbul, making the city feel like a living, breathing character.

Memorable Quotes from 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

"Time had always been a slippery thing for Leila. She had learned at an early age that time was not a line, but a circle, and even as one moment ended, another was certain to return."

Translation (Sinhala): "ලේයිලාට කාලය හැම විටම ගිලිහුණු දෙයක් වැනිය. කාලය ආරේක් වූ පේළියක් නොව, වෘත්තයක් බවත්, එක් මොහොතක් අවසන් වූ විටත්, තවත් එකක් නැවත පැමිණෙන්නේ නියතයක් බවත් ඇය වැඩිමහල් වියේ ඉගෙන ගත්තෙය."

Translation (Tamil): "லெய்லாவுக்கு நேரம் எப்போதும் ஒரு வழுக்கலான விஷயமாக இருந்தது. நேரம் ஒரு கோடு அல்ல, அது ஒரு வட்டம், ஒரு தருணம் முடிந்தாலும், மற்றொன்று திரும்பி வருவது உறுதி என்பதை சிறுவயதில் தெரிந்து கொண்டாள்."

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About the Book

• Title: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
• Author: Elif Shafak
• ISBN: 9780241293874
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Published Year: 2019
• Number of Pages: 320
• Binding: Paperback