Summary: In this article, I have picked 20 of the best books by Elif Shafak that showcase her unique storytelling style and tackle complex themes of identity, love, and cultural history. My top 3 picks:
TOP 20: Best Elif Shafak Books
- The Forty Rules of Love
- The Bastard of Istanbul
- 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
- The Island of Missing Trees
- Three Daughters of Eve
- The Architect's Apprentice
- Honor
- The Flea Palace
- The Gaze
- The Saint of Incipient Insanities
- There Are Rivers in the Sky
- Black Milk
- How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division
- La Bâtarde d'Istanbul
- The Quarter
- A Migrating Bird
- Ask
- The Happiness of Blond People
- Democracy
- Bonbon Palace
1. The Forty Rules of Love
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: The story alternates between two narratives: one set in the 13th century about Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, and another in modern-day Istanbul about a woman named Ella Rubinstein.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, reflective, and poetic.
- Length: ~115,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Deep and transformative, exploring love and spirituality.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It combines historical and contemporary narratives while delving into themes of love, spirituality, and self-discovery.
2. The Bastard of Istanbul
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A Turkish family grapples with the trauma of the Armenian genocide, exploring themes of identity and history.
- Style of writing: Richly descriptive, layered with history and politics.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Evokes sorrow and anger while promoting healing through understanding.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It examines how personal and national histories intersect, offering insights into trauma and identity.
3. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: Tequila Leila, a prostitute in Istanbul, dies and reflects on her life and the people who influenced her.
- Style of writing: Deeply introspective and immersive.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Poignant and thought-provoking, focusing on human connection and dignity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Offers a unique perspective on life, death, and human bonds in a city full of contradictions.
4. The Island of Missing Trees
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: Set in Cyprus, this novel tells the story of two teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds, with a focus on the healing power of nature.
- Style of writing: Poetic, symbolic, with strong imagery.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: A meditation on loss, resilience, and the natural world’s power to heal.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Explores conflict and belonging through the metaphor of a tree, offering a fresh perspective on identity and memory.
5. Three Daughters of Eve
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: The lives of three women intertwine as they grapple with faith, identity, and the meaning of life.
- Style of writing: Philosophical, introspective, and layered.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and emotionally charged, focusing on internal struggles.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Explores faith, reason, and self-identity in a complex, modern world.
6. The Architect's Apprentice
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: Set in the 16th century Ottoman Empire, it follows a young architect’s journey, with a backdrop of power, love, and art.
- Style of writing: Historical fiction with vivid imagery and detail.
- Length: ~130,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Immersive and inspiring, reflecting on the beauty and cost of creative ambition.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Combines art, history, and personal growth, offering an exciting narrative with rich detail.
7. Honor
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A story about a family torn apart by cultural conflict, exploring the themes of honor, love, and betrayal.
- Style of writing: Emotional, raw, and descriptive.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Intense, heartbreaking, exploring the tensions between personal desires and societal expectations.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A powerful examination of family dynamics and cultural expectations, offering insights into personal sacrifice and societal norms.
8. The Flea Palace
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: Set in a crumbling Istanbul apartment complex, it tells the stories of its eccentric residents.
- Style of writing: Whimsical, fast-paced, and colorful.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Light-hearted with moments of poignancy, exploring modern urban life in Turkey.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It offers a snapshot of contemporary Turkish society with humor and insight into human relationships.
9. The Gaze
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A woman undergoes plastic surgery, leading her to reflect on societal expectations around beauty and the objectification of women.
- Style of writing: Intellectual, feminist, and philosophical.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Forces readers to question societal beauty standards and personal identity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A commentary on the objectification of women and the pressure of beauty ideals in modern society.
10. The Saint of Incipient Insanities
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A story of a man struggling to find meaning in his life, focusing on mental health and existential questions.
- Style of writing: Reflective and darkly humorous.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2004
- Emotional impact: It resonates with readers reflecting on their own mental health or existential concerns.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Offers an insightful and empathetic take on mental health, purpose, and identity with humor and depth.
11. There Are Rivers in the Sky
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: The novel tells the story of a young woman grappling with the complexities of her identity, love, and familial expectations while navigating political and social unrest.
- Style of writing: Poetic and evocative, with strong emotional depth.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2002
- Emotional impact: Emotional and thoughtful, inviting reflection on identity, love, and the influence of society.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It delves into personal and societal conflicts, highlighting the struggles of finding oneself in a politically charged environment.
12. Black Milk
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A memoir about Shafak’s struggles with writing, motherhood, and identity, offering reflections on the pressures and rewards of both.
- Style of writing: Personal, introspective, and philosophical.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Deeply relatable for anyone juggling creative work and personal life, exploring themes of motherhood, identity, and the pressures of being a woman.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: It offers a candid and insightful look at the challenges of balancing creativity with life’s demands.
13. How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A non-fiction work offering personal reflections on how to maintain mental clarity and integrity amid political, social, and emotional turmoil.
- Style of writing: Clear, reflective, and insightful.
- Length: ~50,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, providing comfort and guidance during times of division and uncertainty.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It offers advice on mental resilience and how to maintain one's sanity and values in challenging times.
14. La Bâtarde d'Istanbul
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A novel about a family in Istanbul, with the central theme being the hidden legacy of the Armenian genocide, explored through multiple perspectives.
- Style of writing: Emotional, complex, and historical.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Strong and poignant, exploring painful memories and their long-lasting effects on generations.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It provides deep insights into the impact of historical trauma, offering a narrative that challenges perceptions of identity and heritage.
15. The Quarter
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: Set in Istanbul, it follows a group of people living in the same neighborhood, each of whom is grappling with personal struggles and larger societal issues.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with a blend of humor and reflection.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: A heartfelt exploration of community, love, and personal trials.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It’s a relatable story of ordinary people navigating the complexities of modern life, framed within a diverse, urban community.
16. A Migrating Bird
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A poignant story about migration, love, and loss, told through the experiences of individuals from various backgrounds.
- Style of writing: Poetic and introspective.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Profoundly moving, highlighting the emotional cost of migration and displacement.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It offers a compassionate perspective on the struggles of migrants and the human toll of forced displacement.
17. Ask
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A novel that delves into the complexities of love, desire, and societal constraints, focusing on a man who is searching for answers to his questions about life and faith.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful, philosophical, and emotionally charged.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Deeply introspective, offering a powerful meditation on the search for meaning and personal freedom.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a provocative exploration of faith, love, and societal pressures that encourages readers to think deeply about their own life choices.
18. The Happiness of Blond People
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A philosophical reflection on the societal constructs of happiness and how we define it, through the lives of several characters from different backgrounds.
- Style of writing: Reflective and analytical, with a focus on personal and societal well-being.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2003
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and insightful, leading readers to reconsider their own definitions of happiness.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It encourages reflection on happiness, societal expectations, and individual fulfillment.
19. Democracy
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A non-fiction exploration of democracy in modern society, examining political systems, freedom, and the role of the individual in shaping public life.
- Style of writing: Clear, analytical, and intellectually engaging.
- Length: ~55,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, encouraging readers to think critically about democracy and its challenges in contemporary times.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It offers valuable insights into the state of democracy in the modern world, perfect for those interested in politics and societal structures.
20. Bonbon Palace
- Author: Elif Shafak
- About: A collection of short stories exploring human nature, relationships, and societal expectations, set against the backdrop of Istanbul’s vibrant culture.
- Style of writing: Descriptive, poignant, and emotionally rich.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2000
- Emotional impact: Light-hearted yet touching, offering deep insights into the human condition.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It provides a fascinating look into the lives of individuals navigating love, loss, and the complexities of their cultural environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, I think Elif Shafak’s books are a beautiful blend of history, emotion, and deep reflection. If you're looking to dive into her work, The Forty Rules of Love, The Bastard of Istanbul, and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World are, in my opinion, the must-reads. The Forty Rules of Love beautifully explores love and spirituality, while The Bastard of Istanbul tackles themes of identity and history in such a compelling way. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is a deeply moving story that really made me think about life, death, and the connections we make. Each of these novels leaves a lasting impression, and I truly believe they’re perfect starting points if you want to experience Shafak’s incredible storytelling.
