Book Review: Elif Shafak- 'The Island of Missing Trees'- New Release! (Slight spoilers)

[@tea-and-spock1134]

I just finished this book and I'm in such awe of it !! Five star read at the start of a new year !! My new favourite !! born story teller!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ah yay! So glad you enjoyed it so much! And yes, she’s got such a great way with narrative- her stories feel so soothing!

[@minaxxii]

This sounds like a must read, especially as someone who has a Greek father and Turkish mother lol! Also I love the way you described this book, your voice is surprisingly calming. I would definitely recommend Elif Shafak's other works as well. They're all quite popular in Turkey.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And yes, such an interesting book! I’d love to hear your perspective on it given your parents! And I’ve been meaning to read more of her work!

[@elifyilmazcesar6794]

Wow! You've totally sold it to me Bob! Both sharing the same name and similar identity issues, a book I'll be getting on to. Love have you described her writing 'Charming' - spot on! Just finished The 40 rules of Love and before that 10 Min and 38 Secs- both as moving as each other- amazing characters and story flow. Thanks for review!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And nice- I hope you enjoy it! I’m excited to check out more of her work, and I’ve heard great things about 40 Rules!

[@cillamunro3369]

I really loved this book, will now read her previous books, thank you for your review

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! I really want to read more of hers- a few friends of mine adore her!

[@wonderwoman5528]

Loved your review. I’ve just finished the book so your video was exactly what I needed. You made me smile and your criticisms were similar to mine - the fig having all that knowledge was a bit far fetched, but like you said, no matter how far fetched or predictable, I didn’t mind because the writing style was so pretty :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And glad to hear it! Shafak is such a generous writer, and I’m keen to check out more of hers!

[@Shellyish]

Bob, I just read and reviewed Shafak's novel on my channel. Funnily, I liked the tree more than you did but was incredibly disappointed by how Shafak brought the two timelines together. You said it exactly right! "Paint by numbers." Everything fit together a bit too perfectly. Anyhow, great review.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, excited to see your take on it! But yeah, it’s a tough one- I love that she tells the story so beautifully, so I almost didn’t mind the paint by numbers thing, but still I think that held it off from being a 5-star book for me.

[@juanitajohnson8670]

I was first introduced to Elif Shafak through Honour, then read Bastards of Istanbul, Forty Rules of Love and The Architect's Apprentice. All amazingly written and with great storylines. Although Shafak is one of my favourite writer's, this book kind of missed the mark for me which was disappointing as I was really excited for her latest work. I just wasn't convinced by the perspective of The Fig Tree in the book. However, I did enjoy the way she writes as always :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, that is totally fair! I really need to read more of her work- her writing style is just so sumptuous!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

I loved "The Bastard of Istanbul" by Elif Shafak. This one sounds interesting, the last time I went abroad before the Pandemic was to Cyprus, a beautiful island on both sides of the dividing line.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, I’ve heard good things about that book! Thank you! And that sounds lovely! I’ve never been myself, but would really love to!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

@@BobTheBookerer Cyprus is good to visit out of season. It is sunny most of the year and in late October you can still sunbathe and swim in the sea. (July and August are busy and too hot).

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

The trees not having internet is WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK. 😜 This sounds so much better than The Forty Rules of Love, which I didn't enjoy, but didn't dislike either; but I'm very much tempted to give her another try, you also make 10 minutes and 38 seconds sound great too.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, those sneaky, sneaky trees with their Internet. Ahh, interesting. She’s an author I feel like I would enjoy a lot more of. And 10 Minutes is lovely!

[@sujnandi]

Forty Rules of Love is a must read and so is Bastard of Istanbul.

[@Paltheus]

One thing I have to say is that trees are of vital importance in Cyprus. The olive tree and the fig tree are national heritage and are protected by law on both sides of the island. I agree with your comment of "generational knowledge". There is a sycamore fig tree in front of the St. Nicholas Cathedral (now Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque) in Famagusta that is said to have been planted in 1298 during the French Lusignan dynasty. So yes, generational knowledge is relevant.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you for that- that’s so interesting! And fascinating that those trees will have stood there as vast historical changes took place.

[@Paltheus]

@@BobTheBookerer You are very welcome.

[@josmith5992]

It’s interesting how far beautiful writing can make up for predictable plots, sentimentality or ocean crossing tree communication but I’d be willing to take that risk as I loved The Bastard of Istanbul and Honour.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Right, exactly! I mean, this book is pretty perfect for a holiday- beautiful, slow prose, satisfying plot- I guess I just read it whilst not in that mode, so those bits perhaps tripped me up more than they normally would have. Ooh, I need to check those out. Thank you!

[@lochnesslegends]

Just discovered your channel, really love your videos! Keep it up 👍

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, thank you so much- so lovely of you! Massively appreciated!

[@johncrwarner]

"Ada" is the Turkish word for "Island" the Greek word for island is "nisi" Ada is an ancient Greek name but is a very popular name in Turkey. BTW Cyprus is in four parts (like Asterix) The Republic of Cyprus North Cyprus The Green zone AND The two British sovereign bases (which interestingly cuts the Republic of Cyprus in two)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Sorry, got it the wrong way around when I was speaking!

[@johncrwarner]

Just a note no crumpled t-shirt today YEAH The king of the crumpled t-shirt is the legendary Welsh pinata smasher @KDBooks

[@johncrwarner]

@@BobTheBookerer It happens to the best of us I was just thinking the Greek for island isn't "ada" but I was thinking is Byron's daughter called "Ada" in some Greek reference I didn't know Byron being very keen on the Greek cause so I checked LOL

[@faithozioma7391]

Thanks for sharing. Please am in Nigeria How can I get the book please.

[@spexi513]

I’m tardy to the video party, but read this in December? January? And absolutely loved it 📕🪱💚

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I love how Shafak tells stories- there’s so much joy in the process of the telling!

[@sujnandi]

By the way the last chapter explains a lot about the knowledge of the tree :-) don't want to divulge any more :-)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ah sorry, yes, I think you are right! Thank you!

[@G_Rex]

Elif really went there ay!! #shookith

[@BobTheBookerer]

Trees for dayyyyyyyzzz.

[@athenapalladi1197]

Could you please say what the original language of the book "The island of Missing trees" is. Turkish or English? Thank you.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Hello, and not a problem- I believe she wrote it in English originally.

[@athenapalladi1197]

@@BobTheBookerer Thank you:)

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@athenapalladi1197 My pleasure!

[@sujnandi]

Also Honour and Three Daughters of Eve

[@BobTheBookerer]

They all sound so good! I know she’s an author whose work I would love to explore more!

[@pdxleo]

"This tree does not have access to the internet." haha!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, yes- I’m all for omniscient narrators and generational knowledge, but the two combined in a tree was jarring. Either that or trees really do have access. We should watch out for them.

[@pdxleo]

@@BobTheBookerer hahaha! I believe it! and after what we have been doing to trees, we definitely should watch out. That reminds me of a Dr Who episode.... :) OK - now my brain randomly leaped to Ents.... awwww - tree shepherds 😍 I can't remember the last book I read with that kind of omniscient narrator and generational knowledge.... but I still may have to put this on my TBR after how you describe her writing. :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@pdxleo Haha, absolutely! If the Ents turned on us tomorrow, I honestly wouldn’t blame them! 😂 Yeah! I think 10 Minutes… is a great one to check out too- the kind of screwball adventure in the second half was really fun!

[@pdxleo]

@@BobTheBookerer Oooh - I like fun screwball adventure - maybe I'll put that one first in my TBR for this author. :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@pdxleo Yes! The first half is a very serious and sad story, told well, in my opinion, and I found the second half really satisfying and fun, and very much like cheering on the little guy.

[@MsReadsAlot]

Lovely review! Makes me want to pick this one up! They don’t have internet 🤣Haven’t you seen Avatar? They communicate through the roots 🤣

[@MsReadsAlot]

Because Avatar is real

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@MsReadsAlot Thank you! And hahahah, James Cameron wishes!

[@LarryHasOpinions]

next video we want you talking to a tree please

[@BobTheBookerer]

There’s a tree just behind the camera that I direct all of my comments to. In the next video, I’ll yell it all in a forest.