Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
TL;DR: In the 1970s, Kostas, a Greek Cypriot, and Defne, a Turkish Cypriot, fall in love in Cyprus. Their love is threatened by civil conflict. Decades later in London, their teenage daughter Ada, who has never been to the island, grapples with her family's silence. A fig tree, which narrates parts of the story, ties it all together.
Table of Contents
The Island of Missing Trees at a Glance
| Author | Elif Shafak |
| First published | 2021 |
| Type | Literary fiction |
| Best for | readers who like lyrical novels about love, memory and conflict |
The Island of Missing Trees is a novel by Elif Shafak, first published in 2021. The novel was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Parts of it are narrated by the fig tree. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains war, loss and grief.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A forbidden love
Kostas and Defne meet in a tavern in Cyprus where Greeks and Turks gather. Their relationship is secret.
Conflict
Violence between communities forces them apart. The tavern is destroyed.
A fig tree
Kostas takes a cutting of the fig tree from the tavern to London. The tree grows in their garden.
Ada's grief
After her mother's death, Ada struggles in school and with her sense of identity. She does not know her family's past.
A trip
Ada travels to Cyprus with her father. They face memories.
Reconciliation
The story brings together the generations. The ending has hope.
5 Key Takeaways
- Silence can carry pain across generations.
- Love can survive conflict.
- Nature remembers what we try to forget.
- Belonging requires understanding history.
- Healing takes time.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The tree narrator is a unique device.
- The book describes ecology and history.
- It presents both sides of the conflict with empathy.
Who Should Read The Island of Missing Trees?
Read it if you like lyrical, historical fiction. It is emotional.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Island of Missing Trees:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (2021)
- Type: Literary fiction
- Best for: readers who like lyrical novels about love, memory and conflict
- Main idea in one line: Silence can carry pain across generations.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Island of Missing Trees is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Island of Missing Trees, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
Check price of The Island of Missing Trees on Amazon
What to Read Next
- There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak: Shafak's later novel
- The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak: a novel about family and Armenian history
- Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres: a love story in wartime Greece
Related: There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Island of Missing Trees based on a true story?
It is fiction set in real events.
Who narrates?
Partly a fig tree.
Where is it set?
Cyprus and London.
Is The Island of Missing Trees worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like lyrical novels about love, memory and conflict. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading The Island of Missing Trees?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.