The Island Of Missing Trees

Beskrivelse

A captivating story set against the backdrop of a divided Cyprus in 1974, where two teenagers from opposing communities find a secret refuge in a city tavern. Decades later, their daughter in London seeks to uncover the mysteries of her heritage, connected only by a fig tree in their garden.

A powerful tale of love, identity, and the enduring ties to home and nature across generations.

Shortlisted for the Costa Novel of the Year Award and chosen for the Reese Witherspoon Book Club, this enchanting novel comes from Booker-shortlisted author Elif Shafak, known for 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World. It quickly became a Sunday Times top ten bestseller.

In 1974 Cyprus, Kostas, a Greek Christian, and Defne, a Turkish Muslim, meet secretly in a city tavern-a rare sanctuary in a divided land. Surrounded by hanging garlic, chili peppers, and wild herbs, the tavern offers the best food, music, and wine, and, more importantly, a brief escape from the harsh realities outside.

At the heart of this tavern grows a fig tree through a hole in the roof, silently witnessing their secret meetings, quiet goodbyes, and the eventual outbreak of war that shatters their lives and the city itself.

Years later in North London, sixteen-year-old Ada Kazantzakis has never set foot on the island where her parents grew up. Driven to understand her family’s past, she embarks on a journey to unravel long-held secrets and silences. Her only tangible link to Cyprus is the Ficus Carica tree growing in their backyard.

The Island of Missing Trees is a richly woven, magical narrative exploring themes of belonging, love, trauma, and renewal, masterfully told by Elif Shafak.

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