Reviews with content warning for Racism - L'isola degli alberi scomparsi

I thoroughly enjoyed the story told by the fig tree that witnessed it all though overall I felt that some of the ways the tree felt or witnessed things was a little unbelievable…but I suppose that’s the magical realism part of the book! I liked Ada and Meryem’s relationship and how it changed, I liked learning more about Kosta and Defne’s love story. I was surprised the climax came a little soon and was somewhat overshadowed by other significant events. Glad I read it, learned much more about the history and current state of affairs in Cyprus, and enjoyed the details about trees and the natural world.

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ellagrady's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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agnela's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I really, really would like to give this 3 stars, mainly because of that damn tree, and details that the author mixed up, like cultural view on doves and pigeons, mixing Greek and Roman mythology figures, making the tree almost all knowing and horny. This was a ride through ups and downs, but I loved the cultural background, the history of Cyprus and people who lived there. The main story wasn't that bad, neither was the characters. Besides the tree. Who made the believe it was a good idea? Sometimes it didn't even feel like it was written by the same author with how much it got wrong. You see, when you miss small details, like mixing Gaia and Jupiter together, or saying that a tree can hear bees in December, London, as an author you loose credibility. Do you mean your words or do you just shoot them out to fill the space?
I don't trust this author, but it wasn't bad.

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kaanda's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.75

So descriptive that I can clearly see the tavern and every character in it. A very beautiful and painful story with seamless flow. Loved it!

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moomookachoo's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

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eloise_reads's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

Step back we may have a new book to add to the all time favourites list!

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.

Content Warnings

mraddd's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

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