November 2023 - The Island of Missing Trees

[Sandra, Moderator]

One of the group reads for November is The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak Please discuss the book in this thread.

Katrisa will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during November 2023.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

[Marnie]

I had a long haul flight today and started this book. I think it’s going to be a good and different type of read.

I think there will be lots to discuss but not tonight I’m zonked lol.

[Katrisa]

I am going to pick up a copy from my library so I will start this one as soon as I get it. I do own the audiobook but I want to read this one with eyeballs this time around as it is one I want to savor a bit more. I listened to this one when it came out and it was one of my favorite reads that year and I have been looking forward to revisiting it.

[Katrisa]

I got the ebook from my library today so I got to start. Right now I am just 11% in. I just finished the section titled "Fig Tree" that ends on p37. I think this book is Shafak at her best. I just love in the opening section how she paints a beautiful picture of Cyprus and also the sadness of those who have are transplanted from their home - whether by choice or by circumstance.
I love how she weaves plants and food and birds into the story. I like magical realism in general, but I especially like how she pulls it off in this book.
Also, I had zero idea about Cyprus and that it had been partitioned before this book. Stories of partitioning places always get to me. It seems so awful that one day you can just be cut off like that.
(view spoiler)[I love how visceral the scene where Ada screams is. It is like the outward expression of just being unable to take one more thing. Ada hears the "bone-cracking" of the fig tree being buried. One thing I am glad about in getting a eyeball copy to read is that I saw as I was flipping pages that they show illustrations of how to bury a tree. so that was cool and new to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I read the book a few months back and discussed it with my real life book club. I hope I can remember the book enough to discuss it here.

Fig Tree: I listened to the audiobook and (view spoiler)[ was thrown off a bit that the first bit was narrated by the tree. (hide spoiler)]

Ada: (view spoiler)[ I love how she just started screaming and didn't stop. It was like she was saying, "Can you hear me now??" (hide spoiler)]

The style of writing was so lyrical and beautiful. I also didn't know much about Cyprus's history, and this book brings it into sharp focus.

[Katrisa]

Here is an article that has pictures of how they bury fig trees to protect them in case any else is listening to the book

https://www.foodgardenlife.com/grow-f...

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Katrisa. I would worry about winter kill. Mind you, I don't think you could grow them here unless they're in a hothouse.

[Katrisa]

I am at 20% - p67
I really like how Shafak talks about both the science and also the traditions/legends about fig trees. If anyone is interested in learning more about how trees communicate and stuff The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World is a good book about that and isn't too long.
(view spoiler)[My favorite part about today's reading was Meryem's funeral ritual "under" (above) the fig tree. I find different culture's rituals surrounding death to be fascinating.
I also really liked the bit about how trees carry their trauma in their flesh. Even though the fig tree is not a human character, it is clear that Shafak is drawing parallels between humans and the tree especially regarding immigration. (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

I’m at 31% and I agree with Janice and Katrina about the writing style. It is very beautiful and visual. I also like the contrast of the fig tree and Ada- older and worldly vs younger etc.

[Jayme, Moderator]

I wasn't planning on reading this book since I am reading the other group read choice, but after your discussion about how beautiful and visual the writing is - I had to put it on hold at my library.

[Janice, Moderator]

That's very interesting, Katrisa. (view spoiler)[ The fig tree bears witness to so many years of history, and I like that Sjafak is giving her a voice. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

I am in part 2 and getting some background now. I just finished the section where we are introduced to the tavern where our our fig tree made her home. (26%)
(view spoiler)[I am not done reading for tonight but I thought this was a good spot to stop and leave comments as the section I just read ended with the ominous statement that the fig sometimes wished that Defne had never entered The Happy Fig so that the tavern would not have ended up consumed in flames. :(
I love the description of the tavern! I am friends with a couple who refinish houses and the home they lived in had a tree growing through one of the rooms - it was so cool!
Backing up to the British part of the story - I feel bad for Kostas - and all people forced from their homeland - having to balance transmitting their culture with assimilation to the new culture with their children. And we are such punks when we are young we often don't care to hear from older generations often until it is too late. Then when there is trauma involved with leaving one's home there is the wish to keep the next generation far from the pain that drove them from their homes. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

Janice wrote: "That's very interesting, Katrisa. [spoilers removed]"
Yes I loved hearing the history of the island from her point of view. It seems like Cyprus is unfortunately situated for being invaded/conquered/annexed

[Katrisa]

Jayme wrote: "I wasn't planning on reading this book since I am reading the other group read choice, but after your discussion about how beautiful and visual the writing is - I had to put it on hold at my library."
Yay!

[Marnie]

I am at 50%

(view spoiler)[ The Civil War is so very sad to read about.

There has been a bombing at the Fig Tavern and now Kostas is being sent away. There story is so tragic.

Ada is having a hard time at school and I’m enjoying her talks with her Aunt.

The Fig tree is still my favorite. I want her as a friend. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Marnie wrote: "I am at 50%

..."

Ada (view spoiler)[ was so angry at her aunt for not coming to her mother's funeral. Having grown up in London, she had no concept of the conflicts in Cyprus. Her father and mother didn't really speak of Cyprus, or their years there, so it's understandable. (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

Janice wrote: "Marnie wrote: "I am at 50%

..."

Ada [spoilers removed]"

Good point. I agree.

[Marnie]

I finished and it maintained its beauty all the way through.

The very last Fig Tree entry (view spoiler)[ How absolutely perfect. I didn’t suspect Defne was now in the tree but it just seemed fitting. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I might have to reread the last couple of chapters, because I don't recall that.

(view spoiler)[I thought the whole book to be quite emotional, yet it's told in such a way that it didn't appear to be on the surface. (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

I loved the book when I read it a couple of years and wanted to re-read it. I like Katrisa’s thinking to move from audio to book for her re-read, just the reverse for me - I read it. I have the audiobook ready to go, but want to finish the book I’m listening to first - have about 3 hours left, then I’ll reunite with the fig tree - prob my fav “character” in the book!

[Janice, Moderator]

I listened to it on audiobook as well. A reread in print would be maybe shed more light on the story, but then, a reread often does anyway.

[Katrisa]

I am enjoying my reread in a new format. I like being able to highlight passages.
I am at 43% (p153)
(view spoiler)[I am enjoying the tentative relationship between Meryem and Ada. I loved how she encouraged Meryem to wear the colorful clothes she bought after her divorce. I liked that Ada was self aware enough to notice that she wanted to tell her aunt not to care what others thought but then realized that she was in the middle of having her video shared all over the place going viral. Man am I glad that my adolescence was pre-internet!
In this bit of reading since my last post we learn more about Kostas' family. I can see where the divisions deep enough to cut one off from even their children can be born in a situation like in Cyprus. After losing so much family in one way or another to the division I can see what a betrayal it would feel like for your children to fall in love "across enemy lines".
Kostas has just discovered that Y&Y are actually a couple (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

I started listening to the audiobook yesterday, but for some reason the narrator is not working for me I was so disappointed. I thought doing the audio for the re-read would be a great experience. I switched to the book this a.m. and I’m into the first few pages. Did anyone feel like the opening reminded them of the poem “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, if familiar with it? Link here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...

[Katrisa]

I am still reading this evening but I was at a good stopping point for commenting as I just began the "Branches" section.
(view spoiler)[It was hard to read about the civil war after the escalating tensions spun out of control. I don't know why we humans can watch disastrous things approach and gain strength and just ignore them! I guess having optimism is good, but I wish we would prevent more suffering before it happens.
I also don't think it was quite fair of Defne to cut Kostas off so completely like that. I get that a clean break was probably easiest, but he wasn't trying to leave her and he told her that. I think the least she could have done was to give him some response and just say the situation is too much and she will just do the best she can with what she has.
I continue to love the Fig tree's sections. I love the perspective that those chapters bring.
Meryem wants to bring Ada to an excorcist (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Katrisa wrote: "I am still reading this evening but I was at a good stopping point for commenting as I just began the "Branches" section.."

I agree about Defne. (view spoiler)[I thought she was being too unbending. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

Lilisa wrote: "I started listening to the audiobook yesterday, but for some reason the narrator is not working for me I was so disappointed. I thought doing the audio for the re-read would be a great experience. ..."

Great poem! I haven't read Tennyson since my first college years.

[Katrisa]

I just finished the "Branches" section
(view spoiler)[ Kostas is now wondering if Defne actually HAD the child or not. Defne's work is so harrowing - especially that there are multiple organizations all over the globe doing similar work. My daughter likes true crime podcasts and I listen to them with her sometimes and I always think how horrible it is for families who just don't know what happened to their loved ones - but how much worse when it is not just one crazy killer but a whole society of people with thousands disappearing into unmarked graves.

The scene with the trapped song birds was so sad. Poor Kostas getting himself beaten up with his sweet but futile gesture. But I guess that's all any of us can do sometimes to stand up for our beliefs in the face of insurmountable odds. At least it got Defne back in his arms. It is hard for my brain to wrap around the fact that in the 2000s a woman was still not allowed to visit an unmarried man's room! (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

I’m at the 10% mark at The Fig Tree part. (view spoiler)[I’m chuckling at the fig tree’s disdain that Eve tempted Adam with a “plain old apple” and that it must have been a “tender, ripe, deliciously alluring, aromatic fig” instead. It’s also so cute that the fig tree is besotted with Kostas. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

Lilisa wrote: "I’m at the 10% mark at The Fig Tree part. [spoilers removed]"

Yes that is a great line!

[Katrisa]

I am finished (view spoiler)[I loved this book as much the second time and I am glad that I decided to read the book with eyeballs this time. I do love audiobooks, but it is easier to drift off in your head with them.
I loved the way that Shafak incorporates flora and fauna and gives them an importance of their own and doesn't just focus on the human drama.
In the book at the back there is a picture of a prickly pear cactus growing through the partition fence that divides Cyprus which is something I didn't get to see when I listened to the book - so that was another plus for reading the book in print. I thought the picture really went along with the themes of the book.
I liked that we don't know until the end of the book that Defne's spirit went into the fig tree. It makes the beginning of the book where the fig in love with Kostas make more sense (not that it didn't make sense on its own - for a tree to love the person who saved it and cared for it - you know as long as you are accepting the magical realism of a fig tree as a character anyway.)
The part about Chico after Y&Y go missing just broke my heart. One of my best friends has rescue parrots and they are such amazing birds. I could totally see a parrot mourning like that.
(hide spoiler)]
I assumed since it hasn't been too long since I first read the book that my rating would not have changed much and I was right, I still give this book a solid 5 stars.

[Lilisa]

I’m at the 37% mark and I’m so enjoying the book - the imageries are beautiful and so are the thoughts and cultural insights. (view spoiler)[I really like Meryem, she’s had to deal with a lot during her life time. She’s good for Ada. I like the way the story unfolds and I think the timelines are done so well - they transition seamlessly and at the right points in the story. I love the fig tree and how it’s part of the story as a character with thoughts and feelings - so endearing. (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

I finished the book and a definite 5 on the re-read too - great storyline and the writing is beautiful and layered. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. There’s so much about life, nature, history, etc., all interconnected and transitioning without a hiccup. It was quite something. This is a book to read multiple times and I’m usually not a “multiple time reads” person. (view spoiler)[I liked all the characters, which is unusual for me. Defne was the most complex to begin with and what she experienced made her even more so - so much she was dealing with, especially the trauma of the day that Y&Y were murdered and her baby. I liked Meryem - she dealt with a lot too in a different way. And Kostas buried himself in his work. I thought Ada was a mature 16-year old and had her head on her shoulders given all she had dealt with - her mother’s personal challenges. The situation in Cyprus is sad - after all, they are all “islanders.” (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

Lilisa your thoughts are beautifully put and reflect my own thoughts perfectly! I have enjoyed all of Shafak's books but this one is my favorite.

[Lilisa]

Katrisa wrote: "Lilisa your thoughts are beautifully put and reflect my own thoughts perfectly! I have enjoyed all of Shafak's books but this one is my favorite."

Thanks Katrisa 🙂, great you enjoyed it too. I like her books too, the other one I really liked is The Architect's Apprentice although I gave it only 4 stars. Someday I’ll re-read it and see if my rating changes. The Forty Rules of Love was a 2-star rating. It deserves a re-read as I cannot remember why it tanked for me and I want to give it another try since I’ve enjoyed all her books I’ve read. Maybe I read it at the wrong time for me. I bought The Flea Palace earlier this year but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.

[Lydia]

This has been on my TBR pile for a while not sure I will finish it before the end of the month as a bit slow getting started, but really enjoying it so far, what a fantastic book and storyline. Big tree fan and nature fan.

[Katrisa]

So glad you're joining us Lydia! I hope you enjoy it.