2019 Booker Shortlist: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

[Antonomasia, Admin only]

Ah, here it is. I just didn't recognise the title before
https://electricliterature.com/indone...

[Paul]

I hadn’t seen that - very good article.

[LindaJ^]

Thanks Antonomasia for that link - a useful read.

[Ella]

Wow - I just went to bookmark it to read when I get a chance & got totally sucked in. Great article - thank you SO much!

I've been trying hard to challenge my total comfort with western white male writing, and I'll admit, it took me a few years to even figure out what was going on -- why I kept liking those books I was comfortable with more than others. Then I read enough at some point, and my brain was able to accept more kinds of voices, different writing - on the whole a wonderful experience, but I wish I hadn't had to unlearn my unconscious bias.

[Irene]

I really loved this story, especially the first part. I lived in Istanbul for almost 3 years so that helps, but I really enjoyed the smell/tastes of her memories. Maybe the second part was a bit too "comedy" like for me, especially the scene in the graveyard and with the police chase, but overall I really appreciated this book. I almost gave up on Elif Shafak after reading 40 rules of love which was way too sappy for my taste, but I am glad I read this one.

[Nadine in California]

Irene wrote: "I really loved this story, especially the first part. I lived in Istanbul for almost 3 years so that helps, but I really enjoyed the smell/tastes of her memories. Maybe the second part was a bit to..."

My feelings exactly about 40 Rules, which I DNF'ed just a few pages in. I think I even made a yech noise, heavy on the gutteral. Sounds like if I can bring myself to try another, this one is it though.

[Irene]

I also enjoyed The Bastard of Istanbul and The Architect's Apprentice, but probably 10 minutes ... is the best especially from a literary point of view.

[Karen Michele]

I've just finished the book and read through the comments. I enjoyed the book, and liked the inclusion of sensory information sparking memories. I have experienced memories being triggered by my sense of smell. I would have liked these introductions of each section to have been more fleshed out. I think a page or so of a more fragmented memory approach as was mentioned already would have been effective before jumping to the traditional narrative. I enjoyed the second half, but agree with the criticisms of it as well. There were some serious dangers (like the dogs) that seemed too easily conquered, but I did like reading about her friends. I also didn't like the simplifying of depression. First there was validation of depression as a medical condition, but then a fast turn to "make it your friend" as was also pointed out in the previous comments.

[Ang]

Included in today's Kindle Daily Deal UK.