The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak - 5 stars

[Shelly]

I knew very little about Cyprus before reading this beautiful work of historical fiction. The book has 2 timelines. In London in the 2010s, Ada is desperately trying to come to terms with her mother's death and find a way to reconnect with her father. In Cyprus in the 1970s, Ada's parents meet and fall in love. Defne is a Turkish Muslim and Kostas is a Greek Christian. They are torn apart by their families and a civil war. They come back together, marry and move to London, but the history of Cyprus has deep roots that have wound their way around their lives as well as Ada's. Forbidden love strikes not once but twice in the story, but I won't reveal any more about the second pair of lovers.
A portion of the story has a unique narrator: a fig tree that grows in the tavern where the lovers meet and are protected. The tree is able to communicate in unique ways that force you to consider the power of the natural world and the havoc wreaked by humanity. Kostas knows the tree is dying and takes a branch with him to London and the fig tree is able to regrow and be a witness to the lives they rebuild. I am a fan of historical fiction and this one is a beauty.

It is tagged book club 212 times.

[Amy]

I love this author and I’ve had this book on the top of my priority list for some time. I only waited, because I had hoped our book club would read it together. Sounds beautiful and I can’t wait to read it. I think he particularly would love the idea of the fig trees. That fits for you on so many levels.