Questions About The Island of Missing Trees

by Elif Shafak (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (12)

How much lgbt content is there in this book? I know there is some, but it's not very pronounced I hope?

Sue Taylor

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does anyone else find this book really boring? it's taking me long time to read, I want to finish it but it is so boring

Judi Ross I loved this book and read it twice. I shared it with several of my book groups and it was hit with most everyone. Look at it as an immigrant story wi…moreI loved this book and read it twice. I shared it with several of my book groups and it was hit with most everyone. Look at it as an immigrant story with the fig tree being symbolic of establishing roots, being uprooted and rerooting again somewhere else. Think of the relevancy in today's world as we watch the citizens of Ukraine and other migrants having these experiences. Look at the communication between all members of the ecosystem. It's more than the story of Ada, Defne and Kostas. (less)

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How come Ada is 16 year old on 2010 if she was born in 2000?

Ruthie The first chapter after the prologue says "England, late 2010s", not 2010. So you might assume the book is set in 2016. But I think it is interesting …moreThe first chapter after the prologue says "England, late 2010s", not 2010. So you might assume the book is set in 2016. But I think it is interesting Shafak is not specific - I'm not sure if she is referring to an actual storm that year: part of the real but not-real feeling of this book.(less)

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A friend is reading this book and finding the fig tree chapters a bit of a slog. She'd like to know if they become relevant to the story--in which case she'll read them--or if she can skip them?

Judi Ross The fig tree is the only constant that witnessed everything. Both sides of the conflict as well as being present in all the time lines included in the…moreThe fig tree is the only constant that witnessed everything. Both sides of the conflict as well as being present in all the time lines included in the story. Those chapters are MOST relevant. I happened to have found them delightful. I read the book twice and discussed it in several book clubs. This book was a favorite. (less)

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Mary Erickson The Genesis account in the Torah and Christian Bible does not signify. It is the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil." After Adam and Eve ate from…moreThe Genesis account in the Torah and Christian Bible does not signify. It is the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil." After Adam and Eve ate from the tree and realized they were naked--and ashamed of it--they "sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." But there is not necessarily a connection between their choice of clothing and the tree they ate from. (God improved their wardrobe with garments of skin.)(less)

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