Reviews

Het eiland van de verdwenen bomen by Elif Shafak

elisemay26's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

meera01's review against another edition

informative reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

mmmbooks20232024's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

5.0

audrey2909's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

annaprall's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

jessiereads315's review against another edition

4.0

Truly beautiful

meganhowes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

abimillsy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I visited Nicosia with my partner a couple of years ago and was struck by the many unmistakable scars of civil war it still bore. So when this book was released I knew I had to move it to the top of my list and I'm so glad I did.
 At first it was a little hard to get into, the switch between present day in London, the chapters based in Cyprus and the sections from the fig tree's point of view made the structure a little dis-jointed. However once I got into it I began to really love all 3 (I wish we heard a little more from Ada though, especially towards the end)
 Overall a fascinating and unique read about an important part of History not commonly written about. Not my favourite Elif Shafak book but still one that will stay with me.
 

allieuofm's review against another edition

2.0

Everything about this book is just OK. I will admit I became curious about Cyprian history while reading this and plan to look up the events described. However, the writing style seems a little too oversimplified for a complex topic ranging from love to civil war and as a result I kept wondering if it was a YA novel. Having the fig tree as a narrator annoyed me, and the conclusion of the fig tree's story REALLY annoyed me. Meh.

pachomacho's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5