Told with a non-linear timeline The Island of Missing Trees takes us from 1970s Cypress amidst rising tensions between the island’s citizens to modern day London following a family: Greek Christian, Kosta, Turkish Muslim, Defne, and their daughter, Ada, as told through the narration of a fig tree central to their story.
The Island of Missing Trees has love, division, war, joy, tragedy, and interconnectedness. It’s a story of secrets, generational and lasting trauma, the dual sided impact of separation and violence, the displacement of immigration, and the places love can lead us. I would have maybe loved some deeper characterization, but I really appreciated this story.
Shortlisted for the 2022 Women’s Prize.
That Bookish Life 