Tequila Leila, a woman sexually abused as a child and working as a whore after she left her home, is found dead in a trash bin on the outskirts of Istanbul, but her mind keeps working for another ten minutes and thirty-eight seconds, during which time we are introduced to Leila’s childhood, her meetings with the- dearest-to-her people, and, finally, to the events leading up to her death. As Leila’s mind starts to race through her life events, we get to know Istanbul and its dark history, as well as the plight of the most marginalized people living within the city walls. As Leila slips into death the reader comes to understand many truths: that Istanbul has had many faces through history, and that there are, and have always been, marginalized people living there, especially women, who suffered much and now deserve attention, recognition and, above all, dignity – even after their death. The treachery, the misogyny, and the fact that people find community regardless of oppression all come through beautifully here.
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