A review by eloise_reads
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
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.
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
Graphic: Homophobia, Child death, and Racism