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A review by booksbythewindow
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
(Full review to come)
Summary: The Island of Missing Trees follows two main, connected narratives: one from the perspective of 16-year old Ada in London during the 2010s, and the other following Ada’s parents’ forbidden relationship in Cyprus during the 1970s and 1990s. Each of these narratives is intertwined with the constant between the times: the fig tree in the Cypriot tavern which was Kostas and Defne’s meeting place, which Kostas later replants a shoot from in their London garden. The fig tree is able to provide an outside view of the world around them, particularly providing context to the turmoil of 1970s Cyprus.
Overall Thoughts: The Island of Missing Trees was a quick, absorbing, and engaging read that started off my holiday reads on a very good note. I enjoyed learning more about the history of Cyprus and the politics and violence that have occurred there. The characters were engaging and sympathetic, keeping my interest across the different timelines.
One of the strengths of The Island of Missing Trees is that I was equally invested in both the narratives throughout the novel. This is a testament to Shafak’s ability to write characters with incredible depth and flaws, whose choices the reader may not always agree with but can understand because of how the character is portrayed.
Including the perspective of the fig tree is obviously an unusual choice, but it is one which Shafak handles very well and has the benefit of being able to give an omnipresent narrative voice whilst keeping the character perspectives very tight. In particular, it allowed Shafak to explore more fully the history of Cyprus and how it affected not only the people of the island but the landscape too. It was interesting to explore both the human cost of violence and the cost to nature, also represented by the characters of Defne and Kostas.
I have already recommended this to a few people and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys literary or historical fiction.
Summary: The Island of Missing Trees follows two main, connected narratives: one from the perspective of 16-year old Ada in London during the 2010s, and the other following Ada’s parents’ forbidden relationship in Cyprus during the 1970s and 1990s. Each of these narratives is intertwined with the constant between the times: the fig tree in the Cypriot tavern which was Kostas and Defne’s meeting place, which Kostas later replants a shoot from in their London garden. The fig tree is able to provide an outside view of the world around them, particularly providing context to the turmoil of 1970s Cyprus.
Overall Thoughts: The Island of Missing Trees was a quick, absorbing, and engaging read that started off my holiday reads on a very good note. I enjoyed learning more about the history of Cyprus and the politics and violence that have occurred there. The characters were engaging and sympathetic, keeping my interest across the different timelines.
One of the strengths of The Island of Missing Trees is that I was equally invested in both the narratives throughout the novel. This is a testament to Shafak’s ability to write characters with incredible depth and flaws, whose choices the reader may not always agree with but can understand because of how the character is portrayed.
Including the perspective of the fig tree is obviously an unusual choice, but it is one which Shafak handles very well and has the benefit of being able to give an omnipresent narrative voice whilst keeping the character perspectives very tight. In particular, it allowed Shafak to explore more fully the history of Cyprus and how it affected not only the people of the island but the landscape too. It was interesting to explore both the human cost of violence and the cost to nature, also represented by the characters of Defne and Kostas.
I have already recommended this to a few people and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys literary or historical fiction.