"The Island of Missing Trees" by Elif Shafak.
The author took a complex approach to a complex subject and created a fresh slant on an age-old problem.
The emotional setting of a politically divided island impinging on a Cypriot family is coupled with the grief of bereavement, coming of age, and arboreal customs, including a fig tree that becomes a character in its own right.
This book needs a careful read and a willingness to suspend disbelief at many points.
The author does not shy away from the human condition, nor from the moral take for a modern world, nor from the damaging impact of war.
Think Romeo and Juliet.
There is much beautiful use of language, occasionally a bit flowery, and metaphor top-heavy, but the characters including the weird, talking fig tree develop well.
There were a few criticisms, adult-age language inappropriate for a 5 year-old, and irritating lists.
Most Book Club members initially struggled to get into the book, tripping over the burial of the fig tree, and wondering what the screaming teenager was going to lead to.
Our discussion led to the unresolved question of how to protect young people when the naked truth of a situation seems to be too hurtful.
For some readers the lasting impression is one of great sadness others felt that this was a hopeful story for a complex world.
Doorly score: 4.5
PC. 14th October 2023
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