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This is an imaginative, multi-layered story with a dual time line narrative reflecting the history of the volatile time in Cyprus in the 1970’s between Greeks and Turks, the culture and religious differences, a civil war. I was moved by the efforts years later to find remains of those who were killed and missing.

It’s a love story in both the past on the island and years later in the 2010’s in London. It’s also about a teenage girl in the more recent time coping with loss and grief, loneliness and the meanness spread on social media, about the importance of connecting with her family’s past.

I loved the omniscient narrative sections of The Fig Tree, born in Cyprus, continuing her life through a cutting brought to London and now a tree again, who knows so much of history, of the natural world, of human nature. I loved the fable like feel of the telling. This was beautifully written and I hope to read more by Elif Shafak, a gifted storyteller.

A monthly read with Diane and Esil . Always an enjoyable discussion.

I received a copy of this book from Bloomsbury Publishing through Edelweiss.