Reviews

L'isola degli alberi scomparsi by Elif Shafak

liv2501's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-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

4.5

lediamond4's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-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

5.0

I don't know if I have the words to describe how this book made me feel.  If I'm being honest I was a little thrown off by one of the POV's being a fig tree????? But then I just let myself be drawn into this wondrous, heartbreaking, painfully human story.  Shafak's writing is poetic and full of stunning visuals.  I was immediately immersed.  This is one of the best books I've read this year, maybe ever.

windireads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

allym1's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars. Slow burn. Liked the all seeing fig tree. Kinda feel like nothing happened

almolloy's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this book but I just couldn’t get there. For me, it was neither good nor bad. The book was educational about the conflicts in Cyprus and tree facts, both of which I knew little about, however I struggled to feel any emotional connection to the characters. I think maybe this was because the fig tree narration chapters felt like they lacked any emotion and they interrupted the story too often.

claudschapters's review against another edition

5.0

I adore this book! It has become one of my favorite books. The book has romance and heart break, I couldn’t put this book down. It was beautifully written.

journeytothepage's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely incredible. Would recommend to everybody.

ilovebooksalltoowell's review against another edition

3.0

When a book has good reviews I often love it, but this time not completely. Some parts where the fig tree is explaining things about insects and nature were slow paced and didn’t keep my attention. I think it’s partly because I listened to the audiobook most of the time and the Dutch version isn’t narrated so lively, my mind wandered off a lot. I did love to learn more about the history and culture of Cyprus and loved the way Ada (the daughter of the main characters) learns more about her family, her roots and herself, and how she gets closer with her dad and aunt along the way.

alioswin's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

summerside's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0