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annakh16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
First things first: this book is a lot darker than the synopsis suggests imo. I’d recommend looking at content warnings.
I really want to like this more than I did. The plot in Cyprus was heartbreaking, especially Yusuf’s and Yiorgos’ story was moving , and the writing was good. But I’ll be honest: I think the entire late-2010s plot could’ve been cut. Most of it went nowhere, especially the exorcism part? , and it was mostly just the characters sitting around. I understand it was aimed to develop an understanding of generational trauma, but I don’t think it was pulled off, because the overall discussion of the emotional impact on the characters was underdeveloped. The beginning was also soo slow and nearly made me DNF.
I also couldn’t get into the fig tree perspective. I think it was more enjoyable towards the end, when it actually told the story of the tavern, but in the beginning there were a lot of seemingly unrelated flora & fauna facts that just slowed down the story. If you enjoy that, this might work better, but it wasn’t for me. (And I agree that it overshadowed/hampered discussion of the human characters‘ thoughts and feelings).
The story in Cyprus was no doubt my favourite, and I quite liked it. In my opinion, the book would’ve done a lot better just sticking to that. I learned a lot, but unfortunately I think this could’ve been better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child death, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Animal death, and Mental illness
Minor: Abortion, Suicide, and Grief
hannasreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death of parent, and Homophobia
agnela's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really, really would like to give this 3 stars, mainly because of that damn tree, and details that the author mixed up, like cultural view on doves and pigeons, mixing Greek and Roman mythology figures, making the tree almost all knowing and horny. This was a ride through ups and downs, but I loved the cultural background, the history of Cyprus and people who lived there. The main story wasn't that bad, neither was the characters. Besides the tree. Who made the believe it was a good idea? Sometimes it didn't even feel like it was written by the same author with how much it got wrong. You see, when you miss small details, like mixing Gaia and Jupiter together, or saying that a tree can hear bees in December, London, as an author you loose credibility. Do you mean your words or do you just shoot them out to fill the space?
I don't trust this author, but it wasn't bad.
I don't trust this author, but it wasn't bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Homophobia, War, Death, Death of parent, and Child death
brekaboujie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found this a bit slow and tricky to get into but it was a very interesting and well written book. I knew absolutely nothing about the setting which made the whole thing super interesting and new to me, and made it all extra emotional too as it was quite unexpected. The perspectives were interesting, and I thought the different sections of time we followed were paced well and kept me engaged. It didn't swap around too much, so I didn't get that annoying feeling where you just want someone to get on with it so you can get back to the other perspective.
The tree was.... an interesting choice. I didn't not like it, but every so often the narrator voice the author used for the tree got a bit annoying. But it gave an interesting additional insight which we couldn't have had with the stylistic choice of writing 3rd person from specific peoples perspectives. So it worked in that sense.
Overall nicely written, really interesting context, great character writing and did make me tear up a few times, I got quite invested in everyone. Quite a different vibe for me, but I liked it!
The tree was.... an interesting choice. I didn't not like it, but every so often the narrator voice the author used for the tree got a bit annoying. But it gave an interesting additional insight which we couldn't have had with the stylistic choice of writing 3rd person from specific peoples perspectives. So it worked in that sense.
Overall nicely written, really interesting context, great character writing and did make me tear up a few times, I got quite invested in everyone. Quite a different vibe for me, but I liked it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, War, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and Alcoholism
astridrc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I really liked this book. I didn't know anything about Cyprus' history so that was incredibly interesting to begin with. I loved the chapter on the connections to the Spanish Civil War and the Chilean dictatorship. As a Latin American, specifically a Uruguayan, I can relate. I can understand the importance of finding those who were disappeared, to offer their loved ones some peace.
I also liked how the story goes back and forth and how everything evolved. Kostas and Defne's love story is a beautiful one but full of pain and trauma which was inflicted upon them by a world they had no say in.
I loved Ada and Meryam's relationship as well and to be able to see how much Ada lost because her mom was trying to protect her, to offer her a "clean start", which sadly proved to be impossible. Generational trauma is one of the biggest themes on this book (even in trees) which I always find so compelling.
The most controversial aspect of this book is probably that the story is at times told from the perspective of a fig tree. I personally found it very interesting and original (you also get to learn a lot about different trees and animals, which I personally love).
All in all, it was a great book which will probably stay with me. However, I'm not sure I really like that one final twist...
I also liked how the story goes back and forth and how everything evolved. Kostas and Defne's love story is a beautiful one but full of pain and trauma which was inflicted upon them by a world they had no say in.
I loved Ada and Meryam's relationship as well and to be able to see how much Ada lost because her mom was trying to protect her, to offer her a "clean start", which sadly proved to be impossible. Generational trauma is one of the biggest themes on this book (even in trees) which I always find so compelling.
The most controversial aspect of this book is probably that the story is at times told from the perspective of a fig tree. I personally found it very interesting and original (you also get to learn a lot about different trees and animals, which I personally love).
All in all, it was a great book which will probably stay with me. However, I'm not sure I really like that one final twist...
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Abortion
helenabianca's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Hate crime, and War
kaanda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
So descriptive that I can clearly see the tavern and every character in it. A very beautiful and painful story with seamless flow. Loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Abortion, Addiction, War, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Hate crime, Homophobia, Murder, Animal death, Suicide, and Racism
Minor: Classism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Colonisation, and Gun violence
mr_cain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
I love the fig tree as a narrator!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Alcohol, Grief, Animal death, Child death, and Colonisation
Moderate: Hate crime, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Homophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism and Torture
sas_lk's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Elif Shafak's writing is gorgeous, I underlined a lot of beautiful quotes. However, I just think this book was not necessarily for me, Ada frustrated me so much. She frustrated me so much that I ended up having barely any interest in the rest of the story and characters.
I think I will try atleast one more book from Shafak because I do think she is talented. This one simply wasn't for me I think.
I think I will try atleast one more book from Shafak because I do think she is talented. This one simply wasn't for me I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Alcoholism, War, Violence, and Hate crime
Minor: Suicide and Homophobia
letmetakea_shelfie_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War