Moments of beauty, love, and loss await.
I went into this book knowing nothing about the story, though the acclaim on the cover made me quietly hopeful it would be good. Once I finished it, I found myself wanting the whole world to read it. I recommended it to my mom and a colleague, and both of them connected with it deeply too. My colleague even went out and bought a fig tree because the story moved her so much. There’s something special about a book that quietly makes its way from your hands into the lives of the people you care about.
This was my favourite book of 2025, out of the eight I read that year. But if I’m honest, it feels bigger than a “book of the year.” I think it may be one of my all‑time favourites.
Why this one caught my eye
I first spotted this book at my local bookstore on a day when I’d gathered two or three titles in my arms. This one stopped me instantly. The cover is a bold, almost cobalt blue, the kind of blue that feels alive. At the very top, gold‑orange lettering announces its shortlist for the Costa Novel Award, and that same striking colour runs down the right‑hand side declaring it a Sunday Times bestseller. A bright green Women’s Prize for Fiction sticker added its own burst of energy, and the fig tree on the cover felt like a quiet promise of something meaningful.
When I noticed Reese Witherspoon’s endorsement calling it “powerful,” that sealed it. Into my arms it went, chosen purely on beauty, recognition, and instinct, with no idea yet of how deeply it would stay with me.
A quick look at the book
Written by Turkish‑British author Elif Shafak, this novel shifts between Cyprus and London and moves across different time periods and perspectives. It explores the profound impact of war, history, religion, and culture on love and family, interwoven with elements of nature. Despite its heavier themes, the story maintains a delicate balance between pain and beauty.
The history and ecological detail are woven in so naturally that the world feels lived‑in rather than researched.
At 343 pages, it offers enough space for the narrative to unfold while still feeling intimate and focused.
It has been very well received on Goodreads, with a consistently positive response from a large readership.
What stayed with me
What lingered long after I finished this book was how honestly it explores the weight of trauma. It shows how pain can echo through our lives, shaping the way people love, protect themselves, and move through the world. It reminded me that healing is not simple or linear, and that sometimes people do not know how to step into happiness after something devastating.
Shafak scatters these golden‑thread moments through the story, lines that catch the light and stay with you. One that stayed with me was this:
Maybe we give other names to grief because we are too scared to call it by its name.
It also made me think deeply about vulnerability. We live in a world that loves neat boxes and tidy labels, yet so many of us are quietly trying to climb out of them, or find ourselves pushed out of them by circumstances we never asked for. This story shows how powerful it can be to be seen, raw and unfiltered, and how those moments can open unexpected doors to connection.
On a personal level, the distance between parent and child struck me. I could see it from both sides, the teenager I once was and the parent I am now. It made me reflect on the spaces I create for my own children.
The contrast between being a teenager in a war‑torn Cyprus and being one in modern‑day London left an impression on me. The challenges are worlds apart, yet the fear, the longing to belong, and the weight of expectation feel just as real. Every generation carries its own battles, and none of them are simple.
At its heart, this book paints a vivid picture of how hard it can be to be human, to navigate hurt, loss, and the echoes of the past. But it also shows that choosing connection, love, and possibility over fear is an act of courage. Whether we stay prisoners of what hurt us or reach for something new is, in the end, a choice.
Who it’s for
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy stories that unfold at a steady, thoughtful pace. It never feels slow, but it also never rushes. It gives you time to absorb the emotion and the history without ever dragging.
If you love nature or enjoy stories where the natural world becomes a meaningful presence, this one will speak to you. The unique narrative voice adds something truly special, offering a perspective that feels both magical and deeply grounded.
It is a wonderful choice for readers who appreciate layered history. The book moves between generations and places, and the tapestry of voices creates a rich, interconnected experience.
If you enjoy character‑driven fiction, emotional depth, and books that explore identity, belonging, and the quiet ways pain shapes us, this book will stay with you.
In terms of sensitive themes, the story touches gently on mental health, discrimination, segregation, violence, and political unrest. Although these themes can be deep and heavy, they are handled with such care that they never feel too intense to hold. The hopeful elements offer enough light to balance the sadness, making the experience both moving and manageable.
Where to find it in South Africa
You should have no trouble finding a copy in store. I still see it regularly at my local bookstore.
My verdict
This is not just a recommendation, it is a gentle plea to give it a try.
My cousin once asked me to tell her about this book soon after I finished it, and I had almost nothing to say. Not because it lacked depth, but because I was still lost for words. I hope this piece makes up for that moment.
I have now read three of Elif Shafak’s books, and this one is without question my favourite. It set the bar so high that I am almost nervous to pick up another, in case nothing else feels quite like this. But that is the magic of a story like this. It stays with you long after you close the final page.
If you have read it, or anything else by Elif Shafak, I would love to know what stayed with you. And if you have not yet, I hope this gives you the nudge to explore it for yourself. If you have a favourite of hers, I would love to know which one I should read next.
I have kept this review spoiler‑free, but if you want to talk about the story in more detail, I am always happy to chat about books.
From my shelf to yours,
J
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