The Island of Missing Trees

By: Elif Shafak

Narrated by: Daphne Kouma, Amira Ghazalla

Brought to you by Penguin.

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize 2022

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

A top 10 Sunday Times best seller.

Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2021.

A rich, magical new novel from the Booker-shortlisted author of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World.

Two teenagers, a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, meet at a taverna on the island they both call home. The taverna is the only place that Kostas and Defne can meet in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic and chilli peppers, creeping honeysuckle, and in the centre, growing through a cavity in the roof, a fig tree. The fig tree witnesses their hushed, happy meetings; their silent, surreptitious departures. The fig tree is there, too, when war breaks out, when the capital is reduced to ashes and rubble, when the teenagers vanish. Decades later, Kostas returns—a botanist, looking for native species—looking, really, for Defne. The two lovers return to the taverna to take a clipping from the fig tree and smuggle it into their suitcase, bound for London. Years later, the fig tree in the garden is their daughter Ada's only knowledge of a home she has never visited, as she seeks to untangle years of secrets and silence, and find her place in the world.

The Island of Missing Trees is a rich, magical tale of belonging and identity, love and trauma, nature and renewal, from the Booker-shortlisted author of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World.

©2021 Elif Shafak (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"What a wonderful read! This book moved me to tears...in the best way. Powerful and poignant." (Reese Witherspoon)

"One of the best writers in the world today." (Hanif Kureishi)

"Shafak makes a new home for us in words." (Colum McCann)

A beautiful written book, beautifully read

I was spellbound by this book, not just by the story but also by the outstanding narration by Daphne and Amira. I really liked the way that both took roles and the mix of English and Cypriot accents added to the authenticity. Probably the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.

The story of a tree and an island

A magical tale telling the history of this island severed in two by differing religious beliefs. A story of love and hope. I enjoyed everything about this book even when I felt so sad for the war torn lovers and senseless deaths. I also enjoyed learning about the different trees and especially the fig.

Not a Love Story

This book is humbling & if u into nature, botanics, gardening it’s for you. Thought provoking as far as where we are in this diverse world

Beautiful story

As someone deeply connected to Cyprus, this is a story that touched my soul in so many ways. Thank you for writing it.

New fan

A love story tenderly and sensitively told against the background of a cruel civil war that turned families and friends against each other. A tale of suffering and loss but also of redemption and triumph. The main protagonists represent both the divide and hope of Cyprus through their love and progeny.