The Gaze is a novel by Elif Shafak that explores themes of identity, otherness, and societal perceptions through the intertwined lives of its characters.
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Book Blurb
An obese woman and her lover, a dwarf, are sick of being stared at wherever they go, and so decide to reverse roles. The man goes out wearing make up and the woman draws a moustache on her face.
But while the woman wants to hide away from the world, the man meets the stares from passers-by head on, compiling his ‘Dictionary of Gazes’ to explore the boundaries between appearance and reality.
Intertwined with the story of a bizarre freak-show organised in Istanbul in the 1880s, The Gaze considers the damage which can be inflicted by our simple desire to look at others.
About the Author
Elif Shafak is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author. Her works have been translated into 55 languages and are hugely popular across the world.
Shafak holds a PhD in political science and she has taught at various universities in Turkey, the US and the UK. She has also taught at St Anne’s College, Oxford University, where she is an honorary fellow.
When you think of Elif Shakak books, you’re probably most likely to think of her bestselling fiction novels but she has also written nonfiction books.
What to read next
If you enjoy books by Elif Shafak, you may also enjoyed books by Christy Lefteri.
Has Elif Shafak written any other books?
Elif Shafak has written several other novels and non-fiction books. I have a complete list of her books below if you’re interested in finding out more.
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