Books
by Elif Shafak
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The Bastard of Istanbul |
The bastard is nineteen-year old Asya. Her mother, Zeliha, will only tell her who her father was on the day of his funeral. Zeliha lives with her three sisters and their mother in Istanbul. Their brother left for America nineteen years ago and has been living with American Rose and her daughter from her marriage to an Armenian. Rose's daughter comes to Istanbul to discover her roots. She discovers much more and so do we.
(Laurence Martin Euler - bwl 40 June 2007) |
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The Bastard of Istanbul |
This was quite unexpected - a romp but with serious undertones. Two families - one Turkish, the other Armenian, one in Istanbul, the other now in America - both full of opinions, tensions, history - and secrets. Once one gets used to the storytelling in which the story is intercut with the histories of the various family members it becomes important to get to the end. Full of character, atmosphere and families - worth reading
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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The Island of Missing Trees |
This is a beautifully expressed, emotional novel that held me in its magic. It is set in London now and in Cyprus at the time when the divisions between Turks and Greeks on the island increased and became horribly violent. It tells of a deep lasting love, trauma, displacement and grief through its main protagonists and a fig tree. Nature plays an important part in the novel. Shafak enchanted me again.
(Christine Miller - bwl 106 Autumn 2022) |
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The Island of Missing Trees |
Set in Cyprus and London, this novel explores the lives, loves and griefs of a family forced to flee as a result of the clash of cultures during the withdrawal of Britain, decades of civil war and administration by the United Nations. Charming and tender and ultimately hopeful, the story is based on personal experience and extensive historical research into the conflict. The weight of human and environmental damage are elicited with compassion and skill.
(Margaret Teh - bwl 108 Spring 2023) |
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