Elif Shafak

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World follows Tequila Leila, a sex worker in Istanbul who has just been murdered. In the first moments after her death, her consciousness remains active for 10 minutes and 38 seconds, during which she recalls key moments of her life. Each memory reveals different parts of her past, including her childhood, friendships, struggles, and the circumstances that led her to Istanbul. After her death, her friends—often marginalized by society—come together to honor her and seek dignity for her memory. The novel explores themes of memory, friendship, identity, marginalization, and the humanity of those often ignored by society.