The Island of Missing Trees

In the politically and ethnically divided Cyprus of the 1970s, Kostas , a Greek Cypriot, and Defne , a Turkish Cypriot, fall in love. Their relationship is a daring act of defiance against the backdrop of societal hatred and familial disapproval. They meet in secret, their love a beacon of innocence and intensity amidst the ever-present threat of violence. Their clandestine romance is a testament to the power of love to transcend boundaries, even as the world around them teeters on the brink of chaos. The Happy Fig, a tavern run by Yiorgos and Yusuf , serves as a sanctuary for Kostas and Defne

Theme 1: Forbidden Love Amidst Conflict

The Island of Missing Trees explores the complexities of love and human connection with rare emotional depth. Elif Shafak captures the tension between desire and vulnerability in ways that feel achingly real, making readers reflect on their own experiences with intimacy and trust.

Theme 2: Secrets of The Happy Fig

This thread running through The Island of Missing Trees gives the story its emotional weight. Elif Shafak weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 3: A Divided Island's Legacy

This thread running through The Island of Missing Trees gives the story its emotional weight. Elif Shafak weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

What Readers Say About The Island of Missing Trees

The Island of Missing Trees has resonated with readers for its emotional honesty and vivid storytelling. Many describe finishing it in a single sitting — drawn forward by Elif Shafak's prose and an almost desperate need to know how it ends.

A Passage Worth Sitting With

"Forbidden Love Amidst Conflict" — Elif Shafak, The Island of Missing Trees

About the Author

Elif Shafak is the author of The Island of Missing Trees. Known for emotionally resonant storytelling, their work has found devoted readers across the globe.