This is probably one of my favourite books of the year and will definitely be recommending it to everyone . The story follows a family in London who originated from Cyprus and it’s also tells the story from a fig trees perspective. Stay with me. Sounds mad but it works! Especially in audio book form!

This book has everything . A love story, war, sadness, loss , lgtbq rep, history , family drama , mental health rep …

Read it. I honestly am so glad I did .

Shafak is one of my favourite authors so it saddens me to say that this latest novel by her didn't really 'do it' for me. The reason why is the 'fig tree' narrator. At the best of times I'm not a fan of books narrated by inanimate objects or animals such as dogs. Here the fig tree was really irritating. It is 'omniscient' and wise' yet it also refers to very human science when explaining how tree communicate with one another or other tree-related facts. I just didn't buy into the fig tree being an actual tree. It sounded like an all-knowing & very human old lady.
Shafak's also needs to work on her teen characters. I noticed this in Three Daughters of Eve but her teenage girls are painfully one-dimensional and in this case do not sound like a believable 'modern' teen. The way they speak and behave seems more suited to a family friendly 80s show.

This book, set in different time periods from the 1970s to now is an amazing book. The story is set in Cyprus and in London and revolves around the turbulent history of the island. This novel gives a touching and moving account of an island tour apart by hate,religion,conflict, love and war.

In a London classroom we are introduced to Ada. She is set some homework by her teacher where she has to interview a relative and we learn that all of her relatives are in Cyprus. Then the story flips between Ada’s life now and her parents life then, and we learn about their roots and their history. A large part of this book is narrated by a fig tree. I did not really enjoy this. I did love the story though and learnt a lot about Cypriot history

The narration was excellent and I can’t fault the voice actors. But I do think I would have enjoyed this more had I read it instead. I think I would’ve been swept up in the story more. This happens frequently to me with literary fiction.

I have read three of Elif Shafak’s books and have enjoyed all 3. Shafak is an incredible writer and I look forward to more storytelling from this author.

A short snap shot of Cyprus and the wars between the different countries and religions who lived there. This story tells the tale of unacceptable love beautifully. Two young people who find each other but know their families would never agree to their love, their journey through separation, reconnection and finally being together. This story hurts your heart. How much loss and suffering people have gone through, in the name of war-it’s so sad.
This book is very unique as it holds two main viewpoints. That of the forbidden lovers and their families and that of a fig tree that witnessed everything. This voice of the fig is such a level Headed view - the history it has seen, the insight it has, is amazing. I’ve never thought of what the plants around us may think.
A really beautifully written book- a real insight in to Cyprus during a very painful time in history. I listened to this as an audio book and honestly feel the different voices really helped to bring the story to life. Such an interesting read.