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By: NGON 002
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2024-02-29 13:42:05 |
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Most of the group "enjoyed" the book - if that is the right word for such a harrowing read. An insight into another world! One member found the 'vehicle' for delivery (ie. the final thoughts of a dying person) a little clumsy. |
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By: CHCH 558
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2024-02-20 15:06:27 |
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Well written and easy to read. The language was described by a member as "spectacular". We enjoyed the description of Istanbul and the portrait of friendship between the characters. Some of us were a bit disappointed with the second part of the book but others really enjoyed it. |
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By: NELS 056
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2024-01-11 09:34:58 |
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We all enjoyed this author who is amazingly clever at tackling difficult subject matter. Likeable characters - an easy read. |
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By: MAPUA 001
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2023-11-23 12:26:39 |
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The group found the book tender, disturbing and sad, but in the end a beautiful and uplifting tale. |
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By: MOTUE 004
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2023-11-15 14:00:56 |
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This book was widely liked by the group. Interesting style and exotic location. Would recommend to other groups. |
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By: PAIHIA 001
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2023-10-20 16:58:20 |
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Most people enjoyed this, enjoyed the setting in Turkey, we all found it a bit sad, but enjoyed the 'friendships'. |
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By: NELS 065
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2023-10-05 13:55:05 |
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Started well but ending was like a black comedy. Initially very interesting and informative. |
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By: CLUTHA 001
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2023-09-11 12:34:44 |
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Loved this! Unusual, insightful, provoking and deliciously written. |
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By: WANAK 001
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2023-07-31 11:40:34 |
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A very unusual book, but a very good read. |
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By: NAP 020
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2023-07-24 10:34:19 |
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Book enjoyed, well-written. It shows there is still a serious problem in Turkey with violence around women. We all liked the way Leila ( from the dead) tells the story. |
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By: WAIUK 003
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2023-06-22 13:59:31 |
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What an excellent writer Elif Shafak is. The book highlighted the wrongs women still face in Turkey. Excellent discussion. |
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By: WESTP 067
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2023-05-24 13:52:20 |
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Most readers were intrigued by the lives of the different characters, and saddened by the place of women in this society. The bond of friendship between the characters was amazing. |
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By: BLENH 018
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2023-05-08 10:32:20 |
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Looking forward to reading some of her other books. |
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By: THAM 002
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2023-05-03 14:39:22 |
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Everyone felt slightly depressed at the beginning ( the death of the protagonist) but all rejoiced in the friendships and relationships which developed in the book. |
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By: CHCH 517
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2023-04-17 12:49:49 |
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We enjoyed learning about each of the characters, and how they became connected to the dead character, and we loved her writing style. However the closing of the story seemed to be quite disconnected to the style of the beginning, and we were left wondering why the author did this. |
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By: PAIHIA 003
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2023-04-13 13:38:32 |
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All thought it was a novel way to start a story. Enjoyed the writing style and the insight into the characters' lives. An interesting way to learn about other customs. |
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By: AUCK 160
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2023-03-13 14:07:30 |
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We all really enjoyed this book! And liked and admired Leila and her friends. Also we had the advantage of a guest at our meeting who had read the book and is Turkish and had lived in Istanbul for some years. It gave another dimension to the story. Not sure about the slapstick second part but it did provide alleviation to the dark themes. |
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By: AUCK 412
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2022-12-18 20:13:27 |
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Very mixed reviews on this book. Of those who loved it, they enjoyed the writing style (very clever) and the humour interlaced with the tragic life of Leila. It is a real eye-opener into the life of women (and men) down on their luck in Turkey. |
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By: TAIH 002
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2022-10-13 13:11:32 |
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We all thoroughly enjoyed this book!!! Lots of discussion re cultures, norms, life after death etc. A great book and well-written. |
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By: NELS 042
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2022-09-28 11:38:55 |
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Everyone loved this book - the style and the content. |
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By: INVER 001
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2022-08-15 12:08:51 |
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This book caused lots of animated discussion within our group. Definitely provoked a lot of interest although the 'dark start' proved off-putting to some! Excellent at highlighting the way we marginalise others - a reminder to accept others as they are. Well-written with beautiful language. Very informative re Turkish politics - the way women are treated! The novel highlighted the humanitarian side of life - how important friendship is and how family does not have to be "blood" family. |
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By: QUEEN 015
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2022-08-03 11:24:24 |
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Not a bad read, but there were a few cliched "bad bits" eg: the child abuse and the weird chase scene at the end. |
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By: MATAM 004
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2022-08-01 14:42:28 |
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Extraordinary, well-written book. Deeply moving. |
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By: MOTUE 006
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2022-08-01 14:41:48 |
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We liked this story - great writing style, imagery and relationships. It was a cruel and sad although informative tale of the plight of women and transsexuals , who through no fault of their own are born into that society. It was spiritual, and the connection with water at the beginning and end is interesting. It was wonderful for the 5 misfits to come together, and form a strong and loving bond in support of each other. A reminder that human kindness and love can reign over adversity. |
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By: TAUR 028
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2022-07-18 13:14:50 |
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Beautifully written; one of the best writers this decade. There was joy; but it was a sympathetic portrayal of women, especially in some more traditional societies, with the injustice, pain, misogyny and trauma they suffer. Some people found the death theme unsettling, but some of us thought it a very clever way of telling a story. |
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By: AUCK 443
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2022-06-27 10:16:49 |
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The window into the multiplex culture of Istanbul and the wrenching secrets that must be kept by some individuals and their families over generations, is a sad portrayal of what is unacceptable in many cultures, not just Turkey. The author has raised awareness of the tragedy within societies which can't face acceptance of diversity although it is all around them. A few mundane similes were far overshadowed by the beautifully sensuous descriptions of environment, taste, smell etc. We felt we were there and amongst Leila's friends. |
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By: HAVE 015
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2022-04-29 11:44:28 |
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Loved it! Some thought the ending a bit gruesome and hurried, but loved the rest. |
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By: NAP 005
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2022-04-22 12:48:32 |
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Everyone in our group enjoyed this book which generated a lot of discussion. It was very well-written and very readable. It was such an original and creative way to introduce the story, drawing in the main characters and how they came to live in Istanbul. Although they all had different beliefs and completely different backgrounds, Leilah united them with her interest in them, and her kindness. It emphasised how, as a united group even though outcasts, life is more manageable in a country where men with money and power rule. |
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By: THAM 003
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2022-04-11 13:18:00 |
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Very mixed response to this book. Some loved it, some did not finish. Interesting exploration of a life. Those who finished it said it was worth persevering with. |
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By: CHCH 001
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2022-03-30 14:48:50 |
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This book was very well received - a 'page turner' with lots of different twists and turns. It could have been 'dark' but the central character and her five friends made for intriguing reading. Very well-written - easy to read and a most unusual plot. |
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By: WELL 046
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2021-10-27 12:05:17 |
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A harrowing but very well-written and fascinating book. Thoroughly worth reading. |
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By: WHAKA 020
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2021-10-05 12:09:58 |
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This book got a very mixed review, with some people really struggling to complete it and others really enjoying the way it was written. |
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By: WAIUK 005
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2021-10-01 09:33:30 |
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A fascinating and unique concept which everyone enjoyed. Beautifully written with interesting descriptions of the life, customs, culture and attitudes in Turkey, especially in regards to women. The author was obviously well attuned to Istanbul. A great story about how friendships can support and sustain through tough times. Some of the later chapters became a bit farcical and detracted from the earlier chapters. Overall a beautifully written novel that cleverly entwines fact and fiction in a unique way. |
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By: HAMIL 068
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2021-07-30 14:06:37 |
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Loved by all once they got into the read, some thought the blunt start of a murdered prostitute's dying memories was a fascinating way to set the tone of the story. Mostly we loved their friendships and shared grief which were beautifully told, as were the author's vivid settings which we could taste and sense. |
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By: CHCH 503
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2021-07-05 10:24:06 |
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We all really enjoyed this book. We have read other books by this author, and find her way of expressing herself is meaningful and insightful. Felt the 'cemetery' a bit "slapstick". |
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By: AUCK 143
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2021-06-28 11:22:15 |
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There was universal appreciation of the beautiful writing style, and also the power of characterisation of the friends. |
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By: LITRIV 003
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2021-06-17 11:07:17 |
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Most of the group rated this book highly but many commented that if they'd picked it up in a shop/library and read the back cover they wouldn't have bought it -they're now pleased that bookclub made them read it! The writing was fantastic and the structure and themes made for lively discussion. We would read more from this author. |
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By: NELS 086
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2021-05-20 14:51:35 |
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Enjoyed by all the group. Particularly enjoyed the cultural feel, and those who had travelled to Turkey found it very relatable. |
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