Reviews

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

just_jess02's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It took me a long time to get through this book. The first half especially was very cold and distanced- I didn't really feel the urge to read. The second half of the book had more passion and heart to attach to. The whole book is very charming and has a lot of rich layering of history and culture... but something just didn't click with me. 
I think the main thing that kept taking me out was the extensive metaphors and listings in the "fig tree" chapters; it became very academic without actually saying anything. I also just wanted more of the story to come from the characters rather than the stories from the tree serving as all of the important commentary.
It felt like I was on the brink of connecting and it felt important though. So maybe I'll pick it up again in the future when I'm in a different headspace. 

kathleenes's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

Hmm…I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I feel like it’s supposed to be a heartwarming story and has deep meanings and learnings, but I don’t know if I fully got into it, that I liked any of the characters as I was meant to…

rmjohnson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

swarley's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jarailuca44's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

lottesofie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

everywheretoni's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

caitlinking's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

This was such a beautifully written book! 

lauracs6's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

marakb's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Too many metaphors, yet some nice takeaways and a sad and pretty story