66 pages • 2 hours read
Elif ShafakThe Island of Missing Trees
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak explores the forbidden love story between Greek Cypriot Kostas and Turkish Cypriot Defne during the 1974 conflict in Cyprus, their migration to London, and the impact of their past on their daughter Ada, whose only connection to Cyprus is a fig tree in her garden. Topics include war and violence, substance use, mental health, and the aftermath of suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Elif Shafak's The Island of Missing Trees notably explores themes of love, loss, and identity through the lens of historical and cultural contexts. Positive reviews highlight Shafak's vivid storytelling and character depth. However, some critics find the symbolic elements heavy-handed and the pacing uneven. Overall, it is praised for its emotional resonance and lyrical prose.
Who Should Read The Island of Missing Trees?
The ideal reader for The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak enjoys intricately woven narratives that blend historical fiction with contemporary issues. Fans of books like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak will appreciate the poetic prose and emotional depth in Shafak's storytelling.