Elif Shafak: on The Island of Missing Trees, roots and belonging

Award-winning British-Turkish novelist, political scientist and activist Elif Shafak discusses her bestselling novel The Island of Missing Trees, her multicultural upbringing and the fragile bond between humans and nature.

Prologue:
Elif opens with a daring narrative choice: choosing a fig tree as storyteller.

Roots:
Moving between countries, cultures, and languages, Elif grew up feeling like an outsider. She speaks candidly about displacement, belonging, and finding her literary voice in a language that is not her mother tongue.

Trunk:
Elif confronts the realities of being a woman novelist in Turkey, where writing about ‘taboo’ subjects brought public scrutiny and an investigation. She reflects on the responsibility that comes with storytelling and her resolve to do so with honesty and purpose.

Ecosystem:
In an age of speed and instant gratification, Elif makes the case to slow down and appreciate literature and nature. She champions the power of curiosity as a way to keep creativity alive.

Credits:

Host:
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

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This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Rachna Sukuru

Editorial Assistance: Devanshi Chandak

Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar

Artwork: Alika Gupta