anwenanwenanwen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Only thing I didn't love was the authors voice felt very inconsistent, went from overly forced poetic prose to very very casual dialogue that didn't feel realistic, to then pages of info about bugs and trees. I also wish she had gone more into depth about the classroom incident, felt like she forgot to finish that sub plot?
But I'd still recommend this to anyone who feels a deep connection to nature and is interested in Greek politics! I'm from a very Greek/ Turkish neighbourhood in North London so this story holds a special place in my heart <3
Moderate: War, Homophobia, and Death
ncaldeir's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and War
yolanda_h's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
Minor: Suicide
sari_lyr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
eloise_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Island of Missing Trees is a book I've had on my shelf for several months now. It was one I was a little apprehensive about because I wasn't sure if it was something I would like.
How bloomin wrong was I?!
Readers, this book is simply stunning. I've already read some of Elif Shafak's previous work and knew her writing style was beautifully description and detailed without being overly fluffy which is something I struggle with.
We follow two timelines in this book, Ada in the 2010s who has recently lost her mother and since then her relationship with her father has become slightly strained. In the other timeline, we follow her mother and father as they meet and fall in love living in Cyprus in the mid 70s, one of them is a Greek Cypriot, the other a Turkish Cypriot. Because of this, the two have to meet up in secret.
Ashamedly I knew absolutely nothing of the conflict in Cyprus, so although this book is fiction I've learned and taken so much from it and it has led me to do some further research. For me this is the sign of a great book, when you finish and cannot stop thinking about it.
The love story is so beautifully written and was definitely my favourite part of the book, despite how heartbroken I was at many points.
I will also never look at a tree the same way again - the chapters based on trees are so so good, interesting and very thought provoking. Genuinely, I truly mean it when I say I will never look at a tree the same way again.
Deeply moving, The Island Of Missing Trees is simply a book that you must read. Despite the sadness it is one which also shows how powerful love can be.
Graphic: Homophobia, Child death, and Racism
mraddd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Racism, War, Murder, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, Violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gun violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Islamophobia
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, and Animal death
sarabookshelf's review against another edition
4.75
It is beautiful, emotional, thought provoking book which touches on a myriad of topics such as migration, displacement, war, love, religion, generational trauma and has a lot of history woven throughout the story. The choice of the narrator and book structure is unusual, and the characters are all well-rounded and persons in their own right, even minor storylines are thought out.
Graphic: War and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism
adampjt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Murder, and Hate crime
Minor: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Infertility
fairuce's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Hate crime
deluna's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Racism, Death of parent, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Murder, and War