The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

The ‘Literary Meet’ of the Book Club was a delightful gathering hosted by the gracious Vidya Singh, Partnerships and Collaboration vertical head, at her beautiful home on September 25th, 2024. Several women came together to discuss Elif Shafak’s 2021 novel, The Island of Missing Trees, a moving tale of love, loss, and generational trauma.

Shafak, an award-winning Turkish novelist, narrates the story of a family using multiple voices, including the unique perspective of a fig tree, which enchanted all in attendance. Members shared insightful interpretations of the book, reflecting both empathy and intellectual depth. Jeyasree Ravi, Past Chairperson of FLO Chennai, drew parallels between the Cyprus conflict in the novel and historical events like India’s Civil Disobedience movement and the violence in Sri Lanka. This sparked a debate on trauma and its lasting impact, particularly through the character Define, whose melancholy resonated with many.

Vidya Singh, among others, was deeply moved by Shafak’s prose and had marked passages that resonated with her, while other members like Uma Mohan and Viji Kapoor passionately spoke about their love for plants and how beautifully Shafak incorporated trees into the narrative.

The event concluded with heartfelt thanks to Ruchita Saraogi, Joint Treasurer, Ashu Lodha, Co-Chair of the Literary Club, for selecting such a compelling book, and Vidya Singh for her warm hospitality and the delicacies that everyone enjoyed. It was a memorable afternoon filled with thoughtful discussion and camaraderie.

Impact: 23 participants