The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak

 Happy New Year all! I am beginning 2022 with an absolute outpouring of love for my first completed novel of the year - and a newly discovered author. This was a long time coming, really, as I've seen so much praise for Shafak's writing on Bookstagram. Finally I can join the fan club!

The Island of Missing Trees is a multifaceted novel which explores the wonder and beauty of nature in stark contrast to the horrors of the actions of man. Beginning in 1974 on the island of Cyprus, Kostas and Defne begin a secret love affair. Kostas is Greek, and Christian, and Defne is a Turkish Muslim. Their romance primarily takes place at a cosy and bustling tavern, The Happy Fig, inside which a beautiful and all-seeing fig tree watches the two teenagers become one heart.

The tree grows up through the roof and witnesses the goings on of the happy little tavern, and continues to observe as war breaks out and the island is divided. This is when the two teenagers, along with many others, vanish into thin air. The tavern is left in ruins and the tree abandoned to the elements.

Years later, in London in the 2010s, Ada Kazantzakis has never visited Cyprus where her parents began their secret affair. She knows little about their past, though finds herself haunted by her heritage which she cannot quite connect with. The only object which links her to Cyprus is a solitary fig tree which grows in the back garden - which her father speaks to as a friend.

This novel is an absolute treasure and completely broke my heart, but also leaves you with a sense of serenity and calm. The blending of the urban and the natural was exquisitely executed by Shafak and I love a novel which spans multiple decades and generations. Would highly highly recommend and will be imminently reading more from this wonderful author!