The Island of Missing Trees is a masterful story that intertwines themes of herbology, grief, family life, forbidden love, prejudice, and religion. Through evocative storytelling it highlights the deep connection between humans and nature, urging readers to cherish the natural world.

The novel vividly captures the beauty and solace in plants and trees, symbolized by a fig tree witnessing the secret meetings of Greek Cypriot Kostas and Turkish Cypriot amidst 1974 Cyprus unrest. This fig tree, which later grows in the garden of their daughter Ada in London, serves as a powerful symbol of enduring love and the deep bond between people and their environment.

Additionally, it delves into the complexities of grief and family life, portraying how historical and personal traumas shape the lives of these characters. Ada’s quest to uncover her family's past and understand her heritage is a poignant exploration of identity and belonging.

The novel also tackles the theme of forbidden love against the backdrop of a divided society, shedding light on the prejudices and religious tensions that separate communities. Through Kostas and Defne's love story, Shafak poignantly addresses the impact of these societal divides on personal relationships.

Beware though, not only will Shafak’s rich descriptions of Cypriot and Turkish cuisine make you crave dishes like watermelon, pomegranate salad with whipped feta or oven-roasted figs with anise ice cream it also contains sensitive content and may require caution.

In short, Shafak has crafted a deeply engaging tale that not only tells a story of love and loss but also encourages readers to appreciate the intricate beauty of nature and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.