The Island of Missing Trees

The Island of Missing Trees is as much heartwarming as it is heartrending. The story is storm of generational trauma affecting everyone as it tears through everyone's lives <spoiler> alongside the aftermath of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and deep mistrust festering between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. </spoiler>

Kostas and Ada are trying to move forward after a devastating loss they each handle in their own way. Their emotional turmoil almost causes them to pass each other like two ships in the night; one turns inward and the other lashes out. Kostas has seen the damage caused by families trying to impose their will on their children, so he chooses a different path, but through a misguided promise of refusing to talk about the past he's only poisoning the present.

Ada's unresolved emotions suddenly manifests as <spoiler> a panic attack in the in the middle of class. </spoiler> Everyone is stunned. Ada is embarrassed and ashamed. Kostas is confused and disheartened. Kostas's quiet sadness can't calm Ada's hurt and fiery reactiveness.

Aunt Meryem, as well as the Fig Tree, become unexpected bridges between the Old World and New World but they also become a salve. Aunt Meryem doesn't have all the answers, but her unconventional beliefs in djinns and evil spirits make both Ada and Kostas realize they can't just ignore their problems or each other.

I loved this book although it was a heavy read. Change is hard and incremental. Older generations like Aunt Meryem can't forgive and forget, but younger generations like Ada can start the work of understanding the past to heal the present and nurture the future.