Reviews

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

ericasbookshelfx's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

kyliegold's review against another edition

5.0

I love how unique this book is. The imagery, perspectives, and shifting timeline made it SO GOOD. I loved the setting and felt like I was there. It’s exactly what I imagined it would be when I read the back cover before reading the book. Also the way it came together at the end was 10/10 very subtle but surprising and perfect. One of my new favorite books :)

anna_amo's review against another edition

4.0

So thoughtful and quietly powerful. I enjoyed the perspective of the fig tree and the extra dimension of ecological consequences it gave to the story.

ladislara's review against another edition

adventurous reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

lizziebbonez's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

reedlemethis's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

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

3.25

ndpangares's review against another edition

4.0

Well-researched history of Cypress and the Greek/Turk division, yet “ a mixture of wonder, dreams, love, sorrow, & imagination”.
I’ve been married to my Greek husband 36 years, & know well the animus between Greeks & Turks, many in our community with memories/ family affected by conflict. This sweet book about a young Cypriot Greek in love with a young Cypriot Turk, and the Fig Tree in the Taverna bearing witness, was a masterful blend of history and storytelling - the roots and branches our hearts and families and friends comprise, along with the homeland we carry with us. Chapters written in voice/POV of the Fig Tree were a 1st for me/ a fresh perspective.

rmarow's review against another edition

4.0

I adored the natural aspects of this book, very interesting to be partially narrated by a tree.

Also had never learned anything about Cyprus before so it was cool to learn about a place I barely even knew existed.

benornaornstein's review against another edition

emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

lisa_butler79's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

Prompt - "A book about nature."

What a better way to read about nature than to read a book where the narrator is a tree.

This is a book that I nearly quit reading, especially after the first chapter. The reading was heavy and not my usual style, and I didn't understand where the other was going and why such a weird narrator. However, it soon all made sense, and the story was woven together through the past and present in a magical way. The writing style was not my usual read. At times, it was very descriptive, but the richness this provided made me look and gain a new perspective on nature and what goes on around us.

I always think trees hold an amazing memory and secrets about history, and the author wrote about this beautifully.

This book explores love, loss, family, and the devastation that wars does to both humans and nature. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 is the main theme of the book, something that I never knew about. I always thought of Cyprus as a sunny holiday destination. This book sure opened my eyes.

The only downfall for the book as books that I usually find beautiful I would read again, however I wouldn't read this again as although I loved the tree as the narrator and the meaning behind the story was beautiful at times I found the book a slog to read because of how descriptive the book was. I missed the point of the well at the start of the story because it was so descriptive. I was obviously skim reading, although later did it make sense and connect to the story.