• 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

  • By: Elif Shafak
  • Narrated by: Alix Dunmore
  • Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (120 ratings)

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10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World  By  cover art

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

By: Elif Shafak
Narrated by: Alix Dunmore
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Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2019

Brought to you by Penguin.

'In the first minute following her death, Leila's consciousness began to ebb, slowly and steadily, like a tide receding from the shore. Her brain cells, having run out of blood, were now completely deprived of oxygen. But they did not shut down. Not right away....'

Our brains stay active for 10 minutes after our heart stops beating. For Leila, each minute brings with it a new memory: growing up with her father and his wives in a grand old house in a quiet Turkish town; watching the women gossip and wax their legs while the men went to mosque; sneaking cigarettes and Western magazines on her way home from school; running away to Istanbul to escape an unwelcome marriage; falling in love with a student who seeks shelter from a riot in the brothel where she works.

Most importantly, each memory reminds Leila of the five friends she met along the way - friends who are now desperately trying to find her....

©2019 Elif Shafak (P)2019 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

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Amazing story

Great narrator delivering a breathaking story, I enjoyed very much! Couldn't stop listening to the end

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic!

The best book I've heard on Audible! This story has everything - colourful characters, gripping plot and vibrant setting. Í would give 5+ stars fór Alix Dunmore's narration - it's by far the best narration I have heard on Audible!

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I keep listening and re-listening!

I am breathless. I have been a fan of Elif Shafak for long, and clearly that's not about to change any time soon. You should buy this. It's worth every dollar!
The reading is perfect, the story a sad nectar, and the writing is plainly gorgeous.

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A touching story of friendship and belonging

I loved the title of the book and the entire story was remarkable and entertaining.

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Thoroughly enjoyable!

Interesting depiction of the harsh realities of life in the backwaters of Istanbul narrated through vivid and sharp characters. Not Shafak's best work though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely book

I loved this book, since I love turkey. it is quite dramatic, I actually shed tears over an event that happened. I finished it in three days.

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To the women of Istanbul and the city of Istanbul

As Shafak herself says, read stories written by women. You'll know when you read it. Highly recommended.

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  • AJ
  • 04-27-21

Absolutely captivating

I didn’t want to stop this story. It moved me to tears, had me laugh out loud, made me yearn for my many travels to Istanbul and the stories and life found lurking around each hidden corner there. An absolutely wonderful book, and I’m so glad I listened to the audio version, with such a beautiful performance.

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