Elif Shafak | The Island of Missing Trees

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

I'm delighted to open the discussion thread for our group read of Elif Shafak's newest novel, The Island of Missing Trees. I read the free sample and thought the writing was lovely (not surprising for Elif Shafak) and the story had potential. Normally, by the time I open a thread for discussion, I also have a copy of the book. However, this time I'm still waiting for a copy from my library. Hopefully I'll be able to start contributing to the discussion before long. Who else is joining in this group read? Looking forward to it!

[Niledaughter]

I have a copy, I want to read this novel, specially that I haven't read for Shafak before.

[Tamara]

I'm #5 in line in my library. Hopefully, I'll be getting it soon and can join the group read.

[Jalilah]

I am #77 on 10 copies in the library cue. If people here are loving it I might purchase it. I’m happy I bought The Architect's Apprentice as I reread it several times, but I was glad I didn’t buy her last one as I didn’t like it nearly as much.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

I've had the same thought, Jalilah. If any one with the book has strong ideas about whether or not this is a keeper, let us know :)

[Johanna]

I also will buy a copy of the english edition of this novel and read it.

[Tamara]

I finished reading The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.
I enjoyed the story and thought the characters were interesting. But I was bothered by the choice of assigning a narrative voice to a fig tree. I found it intrusive, out of place, and weird. It just didn't work for me although it didn't seem to bother other people based on some of the reviews I read after I posted my review. So it is probably just me.
I'm interested to know what others think.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Mona]

I read the book and surprisingly loved the figs narrative ☺️I really enjoyed those parts of narrative in the book.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

Thanks! I’m still waiting for my copy. I got a taste of the fig’s voice from the sample I read, but it wasn’t enough for me to form an opinion. I’m looking forward to reading the book!

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

Tamara, thanks for your review. I expect I will skip a bit through the scientific information. It sounds like trying to do too much in this novel. I imagine the author and publisher were loathe to leave out information that seems potentially important and urgent in a time when environmental issues, as you mentioned (about trees), are trending.

[Tamara]

Mona wrote: "I read the book and surprisingly loved the figs narrative ☺️I really enjoyed those parts of narrative in the book."

You are definitely not alone, Mona. A lot of people enjoyed the fig narratives. That different people enjoy different things is one of the beauties of life. It would make for a pretty dull world if we all enjoyed and/or appreciated the same things :)

[Mona]

Tamara wrote: "Mona wrote: "I read the book and surprisingly loved the figs narrative ☺️I really enjoyed those parts of narrative in the book."

You are definitely not alone, Mona. A lot of people enjoyed the fig..."
Yeah if someone told me I would enjoy a fig as narrative I would have never believed them :-D But I totally understand people enjoy and appreciate different things.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

I finally got a copy! In fact, I got 2 - the audiobook and hardcover. Even though audiobooks are on the rise these days, for these books, I decided a tangible copy was best for me. I started the audiobook and thought the voice of the fig tree (who was the narrator of the prologue) was nice and easy to listen to, but I really wanted to be able to see the words, to reread a phrase or let a thought sink in. What made me want to slow down?
"A map is a two-dimensional representation with arbitrary symbols and incised lines that decide who is to be our enemy and who is to be our friend, who deserves our love and who deserves our hatred and who, our sheer indifference.
Cartography is another name for stories told by winners.
For stories told by those who have lost, there isn't one."
More later!

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

I'm about two thirds of the way through the book, but here are my thoughts on the fig tree so far:

There are moments when I find the tree's presence odd, like her memories of being transplanted. Sometimes she seems overly talkative. When she expressed love for a certain human, that seemed odd to me. When she speaks of books as being "made of our flesh" (p. 85), that was disturbing. I think some of this is intentional. It proves the tree's point that people find plants and non-human persons unsettling. People do not want to know them.

But some of the oddness is the choices made by the writer about what the tree says, and when, and why it's just the tree. Presumably there were plenty more potential plant persons in each location of the story. There could be a separate book, "The Life of Trees" or "Views from Plant Persons," which might do more justice both to the fig tree and the plant community. And what about animals? Perhaps in this imaginary second version of this book, we would hear from the parrot in the tavern or other non-human persons.

One thing that I find very effective is how the author describes and depicts the alienation experienced by Kostas, as someone deeply concerned about non-human suffering (such as that of birds and bats) in the midst of human suffering (war and violence in Cyprus). This concern can distance a person from other humans who are focused more exclusively on human suffering. This seems to be what the author is getting at: the fig tree is just a voice to make readers consider the place of non-human life in this story (and in life generally, presumably).

[Tamara]

Melanie wrote: "One thing that I find very effective is how the author describes and depicts the alienation experienced by Kostas, as someone deeply concerned about non-human suffering (such as that of birds and bats) in the midst of human suffering (war and violence in Cyprus)..."

I enjoyed that aspect of the novel, too. I liked Kostas' sensitivity toward animals and plants. He handled them with great delicacy, which was lovely to see.

[Inji]

I liked the book a lot but again I am a fan of Shafak and anything she writes. I love how using cooking and elements of nature such as the tree she focused on the commonalities and joint culture away from divisions. Again, we’re not party to the conflict so we tend to romanticize. I feel the book had darker shades than her usual writing. The characters were colorful, but more the secondary characters. She’s descriptive as usual, I felt I was in the tavern or in the kitchen with Kostas daughter.

I read it a while ago so will share my highlights, that usually gives us something to talk about.

[Carolien]

I finished it this morning and enjoyed it very much. As usual, beautifully written. The final twist was interesting in itself.

I appreciate how she interlinks history and the story line in a way that doesn't feel forced.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

Well, I spoke too soon! We do hear from Chico the parrot and other non-human persons, all through the fig tree. My favorite was the honey bee.

The role of the fig tree made more sense to me when they took the cutting. I think she represents their memories--their roots and history. Taking her with them is a symbol of hope and life in the midst of change and suffering.

Having finished the book, a few points stood out. The idea that madness offers a sort of freedom (unfettered by social norms) is something I've come across in Arabic literature.

Like Inji mentioned, I loved the focus on how folk customs bring people together across social boundaries (like both Turkish and Greek children considering bread sacred).

I enjoyed learning about Cyprus and its culture and society, with its Greek and Turkish influences, as well as British and international (UN) elements.

The central message of the book seems to be about the fault lines of communities (plant, animal, human), fragility and resilience (the pain of breaking roots, the heart break of loss, the dislocation of immigration).

In response to Inji's comment that this novel is relatively dark, I think this is the 3rd novel I've read by the author and yet my favorite book by her that I've read so far is her memoir, Black Milk: On Writing, Motherhood, and the Harem Within. It was darker, in some ways (exploring depression), but also honest and helpful.

[Inji]

Dislocation was beautifully described too, how people from warmer Mediterranean countries smuggled their cheeses and spices to England. I also liked the portrayal of the widowed father and daughter relationship, the contrast between this home and the homes back on the island. And definitely the present day missions (and UN bases you mention Melanie) to find missing family members, it seems well researched. It reminded me of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo and similar movements, so definitely resilience is a theme.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

Yes, I agree with all of this. So glad you enjoyed it!

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

If you'd like another book with Greek/Turkish cultural elements, I enjoyed A Recipe for Daphne.

[Wayne]

I just finished the book, and I awarded it five stars. First book by this author, and will definitely read more of her work. The voice of the fig tree reminded me of Lyall Watson's exploration of the plant emotions in Supernature, and why not give such a prominent voice to the tree in a narrative in which environmental change/damage is one of the major themes. The fig tree further helps in filling in the blanks of the two love stories of Defne-Kostas, Yusuf-Yiorgios. My question at the end is whether, given all that has been transpired, it is possible to be just an Islander, as Ada wants to be, and my conclusion, also based on my own country, is that there is an arduous journey still ahead.

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

Thank you, Wayne, for this thoughtful reflection.

[Johanna]

Sorry, but I have the book in german and plan to read it, but first in august or september. Then I take a look in this discussion. Thanks.

[Jalilah]

I’m thinking for reading this for the 2023 challenge
I don’t know if I’ll like it.

[Niledaughter]

I want to read it as well this year, maybe we can add more thoughts to the discussion.

[Jalilah]

Niledaughter wrote: "I want to read it as well this year, maybe we can add more thoughts to the discussion."

I started this morning at to my pleasant surprise I am liking it a lot!

[Niledaughter]

Jalilah wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "I want to read it as well this year, maybe we can add more thoughts to the discussion."

I started this morning at to my pleasant surprise I am liking it a lot!"

Great to hear that, I will let you know when I start it.

[Jalilah]

Niledaughter wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "I want to read it as well this year, maybe we can add more thoughts to the discussion."

I started this morning at to my pleasant surprise I am liking it a lot!..."

Honestly I absolutely love it! And the fig tree narrator doesn’t bother me at all, the opposite!

[Jalilah]

This book is probably going to be my favourite book this year!
I loved everything about it, the fig tree all the scientific information, the setting the characters…..
It’s deeply moving both beautiful and tragic.
And it left me with a craving for figs and I’m eating one with my Turkish tea as I write this now!