10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 8

Part 1, Chapters 9-18

Part 2, Chapters 1-10

Part 2, Chapters 11-19

Part 3-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Background

Authorial Context: Elif Shafak

Content Warning: This section discusses human trafficking and mistreatment of sex workers.

Shafak is an acclaimed British Turkish author who has gained international recognition for her complex, thought-provoking works of fiction. Shafak was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1971, and she has lived in the United States, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Shafak’s unique life experiences have provided her with a diverse cultural perspective that is present in her writing. Shafak holds a PhD in political science and is an honorary fellow at Oxford University, Saint Anne’s College.

Shafak has published 17 books, 11 of which are novels, and she is the most widely read female author in Turkey. Shafak’s work has been shortlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize and the 2020 RSL Ondaatje Prize. She was named the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her contributions to literature. Shafak is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights, and freedom of speech. Her novels often explore themes such as identity, history, gender inequality, and spirituality while blending narrative conventions and genre. Using her lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Shafak explores the complexities of the human experience and advocates for a more inclusive society (“Biography.” Elif Shafak). Some of her most well-known works include The Bastard of Istanbul (2006), The Forty Rules of Love (2009), Honor (2012), The Architect's Apprentice (2014), and The Island of Missing Trees (2021).

Social Context: Istanbul in the Mid-to-Late 1900s

The mid-to-late 1900s saw profound changes in Istanbul, including rapid urbanization and population growth within and around the city. As Istanbul saw a rise in migrants from the rural areas of Anatolia, the city became overcrowded, leading to the development and construction of high-rise buildings and new neighborhoods. Istanbul became a hub of modernization situated in traditionally conservative Turkey. As Istanbul modernized, it developed a more liberal and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Economically, Istanbul grew significantly as the government initiated several industrialization projects. Istanbul’s port played a critical role in furthering its economic importance as it became a center for trade and commerce, attracting both domestic and international investments. However, Istanbul still faced many challenges. The rapid urbanization led to issues with traffic congestion, pollution, and inadequate housing. Politically, this period was also rife with change and controversy. Throughout this time, Turkey witnessed several political transitions, and Istanbul often served as a stage for political protests and public demonstrations.

In the mid-to-late 1900s, Istanbul was a city caught between tradition and modernity. As a major cultural and economic hub, Istanbul’s modernism caused several significant social changes and shaped the city’s identity into the vibrant and cosmopolitan city it is known as today. Despite the challenges it faced from its rapid growth, tense political climate, and urban-planning issues, Istanbul has emerged as a key part Turkey’s identity as a country and its trajectory toward modernism (Ehrlich, Blake. “Istanbul.” Britannica, 21 Feb. 2024).

Social Context: Sex Work in Istanbul

Sex work in Istanbul is highly regulated and only legal under specific conditions. To work legally, the sex worker can only work in a registered brothel and must be an unmarried woman and a Turkish citizen. Working outside of a registered brothel is illegal, but it is not uncommon. The practice of sex work in Istanbul is driven largely by economic factors and a lack of employment opportunities, particularly for migrant workers. Indeed, many of the sex workers in Istanbul are immigrants. Some sex workers are pushed into the trade due to the lack of job opportunities, and others are pushed into it through exploitative circumstances.

In Istanbul, sex workers work in bars and nightclubs, as well as in brothels and on the streets. The city’s constant influx of tourists and ever-expanding nightlife provide a steady demand for sex workers, which in turn led to the creation of neighborhoods like Aksaray and Tarlabasi—known for their high concentration of brothels and street-based sex work. Sex workers often face stigmatization, discrimination, and social exclusion due to bias against sex work, as well as the presence of conservative Islamic values within the city. Sex workers who do not work within the regulated brothels are unable to seek legal protection when faced with violence, exploitation, or unsafe working conditions; some sex workers report abuse from law enforcement authorities who specifically target them for solicitation (Wyers, Mark David. “Selling Sex in Istanbul.” Selling Sex in the City: A Global History of Prostitution, 1600s–2000s. Brill, 2017).