An intensely beautiful and haunting novel from Elif Shafak about the wonder of life, the mystery of death and the strange space in between.

For Leila, each minute after her death brings a sensuous memory: the taste of spiced goat stew, sacrificed by her father to celebrate the long-awaited birth of a son; the bubbling vats of lemon and sugar women use to wax their legs while men attend mosque; the scent of cardamom coffee that Leila shares with a handsome student in the brothel where she works. Each memory, too, recalls the friends she made at each key moment in her life – friends who are now desperately trying to find her.

Shortlisted
The 2019 Booker Prize
Published by
Viking
Publication date

Buy the book

We benefit financially from any purchases you make when using the ‘Buy the book’ links.

Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak

About the Author

Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist. She writes in both Turkish and English, and has published 19 books, 12 of which are novels.
More about Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak reads from 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World

 

Elif Shafak reads an extract from her 2019 Booker Prize shortlisted novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World.

The author also explains why Istanbul is so important to her.

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World