The Island of Missing Trees, Elif Shafak glassware After the Russians invade and

After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America

Their altars were upturned

In the delivery room the new mother is faced with a terrible choice

accessible introduction to war

Mightier than the sword --

The Island of Missing Trees, Elif Shafak glassware After the Russians invade andTwo teenagers, a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, meet at a taverna on the island they both call home. The taverna is the only place that Kostas and Defne can meet in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic and chilli peppers, creeping honeysuckle, and in the centre, growing through a cavity in the roof, a fig tree. The fig tree witnesses their hushed, happy meetings; their silent, surreptitious departures.