Happy birthday! Elif Şafak turns 54 today

‘The Island of Missing Trees’ author Elif Şafak is celebrating her 54th birthday today. As a number of online tributes attest, she is one of the most acclaimed authors of her generation.

Popular author Elif Şafak has always liked to keep a bit of herself hidden from view. At 54th birthday, she remains a woman of many facets.

Şafak, a cultural icon

Born in Strasbourg on October 25, 1971, Elif Şafak's career spans an arc over many different eras and tastes in Turkish history. Şafak's not just a great author, she's an inspiration, an icon and a successful business woman. At this point in her career, there seems to be little Elif hasn't done.

And we've got a feeling the next 12 months are going to be even bigger and better for Elif Şafak as she promises more to come. After all, she's only 54.

Happy Birthday, Elif, you're the best!

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