Insula copacilor dispăruţi

Kostas and Defne fall in love as teenagers in Cyprus. He is Greek; she is Turkish. A tavern gives them a place to meet in secret. A fig tree grows through its roof, witnessing their bond. War wrecks the capital and forces the pair apart.

Twenty years later, Kostas returns as a botanist studying local plants. His real aim is to find Defne. Together, they take a cutting from the tavern’s fig tree. They hide it in their luggage and bring it to London. Years later, that tree links their daughter Ada to Cyprus. She has never been there. As she seeks her place in life, she probes her family’s long silence.

Elif Shafak’s novel blends a love story with family history. It explores war, extremism, loss, and the harm children inherit. Trees connect people across places and generations. The book received nominations for the Costa Award, RSL Ondaatje Prize, and Women’s Prize for Fiction. Reese Witherspoon also chose it for her book club.

This edition includes Ada Tanasă’s translation from English and her notes.