Discussion for 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Start discussion here for 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak.

[Jacquie]

I found 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World to be slow at first, but became a fast moving diverse read. I’m so glad this book was chosen. Elif Shafak has a gift in storytelling.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

I love the way the book is structured, Such an interesting concept! I enjoyed it a lot.

[Joy D]

I absolutely loved this book! It may be my favorite of 2019. Here's a link to my review in case anyone is interested:

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak - 5 stars - My Review

[Jacquie]

It took me a while to get adjusted to the writing style at first, but I fell into it and was swept up. I truly loved the story. It is also one of my 2019 favorites. Thank you to who nominated this!

[Bela]

I have read till 4 min and am liking it so far.

[Laurie]

I finished this tonight and I really enjoyed the first part. But I did not like the 2nd part after Leila's 10 minutes are over very much. The first part was very serious with important themes about living lives outside the norm. The 2nd part was so different in tone. I was not a fan and wished the book ended with the first part. I am alone in that thought but I am glad the rest of you liked it so much.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Laurie wrote: "I finished this tonight and I really enjoyed the first part. But I did not like the 2nd part after Leila's 10 minutes are over very much. The first part was very serious with important themes about..."

I understand what you are saying. I didn't care for this as much as the first part, either.

[Darshna]

Agreed the first part till 10mins 38 secs was very well written with almost a literary and philosophical vibe and then the book became a ordinary book that lost it's sophistication. In fact the end was very long and could have been abbreviated. However, the book did pick up nuances of the beginning style intermittently in the second half when it talked about the characters views on death and burial rituals.

[Patricia]

The friendships in this book were beautiful. I found the ending to be more comical than I would have expected. Gallows humor.