Do you like making connections between scent and literature? Or perhaps you enjoy linking scent to other arts and crafts.
I have an affinity for the scent-book connection because I love the way books and bookstores smell. Also, as an avid reader and fragrance collector from a young age, both have been integral to my life.
Sometimes, certain scents can transport me to the world of a book and make think of characters, places, and details. Other times, a beloved book can also remind me of a favorite fragrance.
The Island of Missing Trees, a novel by Elif Shafak, evoked this connection for me. As I delved into the story and connected with the characters, my mind wandered to a specific fragrance…
Set on the island of Cyprus, The Island of Missing Trees interlinks magical realism with elements of historical fiction and romance, allowing us to see how people live and love in times of war and conflict. Shafak’s writing is poetic and lyrical yet specific. Her fluid, graceful prose captures the essence of human thoughts and experiences and offers a precise exploration of the ecologic richness and biodiversity of Cyprus. Through vivid storytelling, readers are immersed in the island’s culture, natural history, plant life, and wildlife.
Several chapters in the book are told from the perspective of a fig tree, bearing succulent fruits and watching over the lives of humans, animals, insects, and other plants. The wise fig tree shares tales through its watchful gaze, spanning decades and two countries.
Shafak is known for her unique ability to blend multiple literature genres by conducting deep, thorough research and using an expressive and empathetic writing style. In her books, we are treated to captivating storylines, compelling character development, and diverse viewpoints.
Centered on an olfactory note of fig, Maya Njie Les Fleurs is the fragrance that transports me to The Island of Missing Trees. It smells like fresh fig pulp mixed with blooming flowers and touches of wood from a tree’s trunk, branches, and twigs. It vividly evokes the image of a flourishing fig tree with birds pecking at the fruit flesh and the soil teeming with hidden and unhidden life. Just like the book, Les Fleurs is vibrant, high-spirited, and enchanting.
Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish writer and the author of 19 books that have been translated into 57 languages. She is an advocate for the rights of women and LBGTQ+ communities and a Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature. I have been in love with her writing for over a decade and discovered The Island of Missing Trees through Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize Podcast (Tanya Reynolds episode).
Maya Njie is a perfumer and the creative force behind her own woman-owned, Black-owned artisanal perfume brand. Drawing inspiration from her cherished memories and her Swedish and West African heritages, she has crafted a wonderful fragrance collection. Read my thoughts about Maya Njie’s brand and fragrances here.
Book and fragrance were purchased by me.
The photo was taken by me.
That’s twice, in the hour since I woke, the Elif Shafak has come to my attention. Maybe I should read more from her
I recently bought one of her older books and look forward to her new one coming out in August! 🙂