10 Minutes 38 Seconds: A Heartfelt Dive into Elif Shafak’s Masterpiece

Hey readers, 

I am back with some interesting questions for you, first of all I welcome you to VerseBound, now moving on to the questions, have you ever wondered what thoughts would rush through your mind in your final moments? Sounds intense, right? That’s exactly what Elif Shafak explores in "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World" and trust me, it’ll stay with you long after you turn the last page. If you’re someone who loves stories that dig deep into the heart, challenge societal norms, and celebrate unconventional friendships, this is a book you don’t want to miss.

Laila’s Journey: A Mirror for Us All

Imagine growing up in a world that doesn’t just reject you but actively tries to erase you. That’s Laila’s story—born into a conservative family in Istanbul, she’s cast aside for daring to be different. But her journey doesn’t end there. Laila's path leads her to a brothel, where her real battles begin. The walls of the brothel are chipped, suffocating, and bleak. She and the other women are forced to keep the windows tightly shut, the curtains always drawn, hiding them away from the world.

How many of us have felt trapped, unable to open the "windows" to our true selves? In one heartbreaking moment, Laila becomes a victim of an acid attack. Her assailant? A mentally ill man, tormented by dementia, who had visited the brothel like so many others. These moments aren't just physical scars—Laila’s emotional wounds run deeper than any burn. She has to live with the pain caused by men who are themselves broken, yet society continues to turn a blind eye to her suffering.

What would run through your mind in your last ten minutes? Would it be the moments of love or the endless cruelty you endured?

One of my favorite lines in the book is: “Asking ‘Why me?’ was another way of saying, ‘Why not someone else?” Isn’t that so relatable? We all have moments where we feel like the world’s against us, right? But Shafak helps us see that even in the hardest times, we’re not alone. Laila’s struggles are a reflection of the challenges many of us face when we’re judged for who we are.

Friendships That Redefine ‘Family’

Here’s something I really want to know: How many of you have found family in your friends? Laila’s biological family may have turned their back on her, but she creates her own family with a group of misfits, each carrying their own scars. There’s Jameelah, who escaped war, and Nostalgia Nalan, a transgender woman who’s faced endless judgment. Their bond is what keeps them alive—literally and emotionally.

It’s these friendships that carry Laila through the darkest times—times when society only offers her cruelty. In the brothel, clients often treated women like objects, with no regard for their feelings. Some of these clients were mentally unstable, their visits causing unspeakable harm, both physical and emotional, to the women they exploited. Laila, unfortunately, became a victim of one such man, suffering at the hands of someone the system failed to protect her from. It’s in these moments of despair that Laila’s chosen family steps in, offering her a love that society refused to give.

I’m curious, do you think we can always choose our family? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what you think!

Istanbul: A City That’s Both Beautiful and Brutal

Let’s talk about Istanbul for a second. Ever been to a place that feels both stunning and suffocating at the same time? That’s Istanbul in this novel. Laila reflects that -

“At some level invisible to the human eye, opposites blended in the most unexpected ways.”

Just like her life, the city is full of contradictions—freedom and captivity, beauty and pain.

This portrayal of Istanbul makes me wonder: how much do our surroundings shape us? Do we become reflections of the places we live, or do we shape those places in return? If you’ve ever felt trapped by where you live, Laila’s experience will speak to you on a whole new level.

Breaking Free From Toxic Expectations

Let’s get real for a moment—how many of you have ever felt suffocated by your family or society’s expectations? Laila’s family is supposed to be her safe space, but instead, it’s her greatest source of pain. I bet so many of us can relate to that, especially women, who are constantly expected to fit into neat little boxes.

Shafak writes, 

 “This house is full of lies and deceptions. Our lives have never been normal.” 

That hit me hard because it’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the people who are supposed to love us unconditionally are the ones who hurt us the most. If you’ve ever felt the weight of those expectations, this book will definitely strike a chord.

The Harsh Reality of Being Judged by Society

And here’s another thing—society loves to tell women what we should or shouldn’t be. Whether it’s our bodies, our choices, or our emotions, the judgment is relentless. Laila and her friends know this all too well. There’s a part in the novel where Humeyra, one of Laila’s friends, reflects on how “society blamed the sufferer”—whether for being overweight or feeling sad.

But it’s not just the judgment, it’s the danger that comes with it. Laila, working in that brothel, is subjected to abuse not just by the system but by the very men who sought her out. Men with broken minds and souls, whose mental instability wreaked havoc on women who were already on the margins. Laila had to endure this pain, and yet she never lost her sense of self. Imagine living a life where every moment feels like a battle for survival, not just physically but emotionally too.

 

Think we’ve all been there, right? Whether it’s the pressure to look a certain way or act a certain way, it’s exhausting. Shafak does such a brilliant job of shining a light on how unfair these societal judgments are, and how they often fall hardest on those who are already struggling the most.

Final Thoughts: Why This Book Will Stay With You

So, what’s the takeaway? Why should "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World" be the next book you pick up? Honestly, it’s not just about Laila’s final moments, it’s about what those moments say about the life she lived. It’s about love, resilience, and the people who stick by you when the world turns its back.

Shafak’s message is clear: even in our darkest times, even when we feel completely alone, there is hope in human connection. And that’s something we can all hold onto, no matter what we’re going through. If you’ve ever felt out of place, judged, or broken, this book will speak to your soul.

Now, I’m curious—what did you think? Does Laila’s story resonate with you? Have you had friendships that feel like family? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation about survival, resilience, and the power of finding your tribe.

Key Takeaways from "10 Minutes 38 Seconds":

- Laila’s Defiance: Her fight against societal and family expectations will resonate with anyone who’s been marginalized.

- Friendships Over Blood: The novel reminds us that family can be chosen, and those bonds can be stronger than any other.

- Judgment on Women: Through the experiences of Laila and her friends, Shafak dives deep into how society unfairly judges women for their bodies and choices.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t just tell a story but invites you to reflect on your own life, "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World" is the one for you. With its emotional depth and relatable characters, it’s more than just a novel—it’s a conversation about love, survival, and finding your place in a world that doesn’t always welcome you.