Corfu Island, 1947. The time period is beautifully breathed into this story from the first pages, when we meet a young girl named Katerina and her fatCorfu Island, 1947. The time period is beautifully breathed into this story from the first pages, when we meet a young girl named Katerina and her father, Laki. She is considered a lucky one; as a provincial girl she receives an education thanks to a new teacher, who has no tolerance for ignorance of such views as provincial girls not receiving education. The former teacher was passionate about expressing his views against the monarchist citizens of Corfu, who were brainwashed in their support of the royal family and deaf to the plight of the poor Greeks. His political views were seen as extreme and he was seen as not fit to be a teacher of their children.
Laki is a staunched supporter of the monarchy, but the teacher’s words continue to play in his mind. The Communists were the ones who led the resistance and fought so valiantly against the Germans. That was initially, but now, those who refuse to support the Communist party are being slaughtered. He witnesses his own people turning against each other. When boats are blown out, at the shore, you collect dead bodies as well as dead fish, meaning less food for the villagers. The results are double dire. He has lived off the land and sea his entire life, just like his parents. He is a poor, uneducated man with strong faith. That’s why what God provides is important to him, not guns or masqueraded ideology. Thus, he keeps his views to himself.
Queen Frederica is on a mission to save children from the Communists by opening children’s villages. She provides a thriving place for children where they can receive education, and prevents many of them ending up on the streets as beggars. Marco, Katerina’s friend, is to be sent to one of those children camps due to family circumstances. Before he goes, he asks her to promise that she will remain his best friend and even more be his family. At the same time, the Communists counter the Queen with children’s camps of their own, where they are mistreated and sent to the front lines. The communist partisans create pogroms on villages, and now Katerina’s family has to flee their village. Will promise be kept?
This story presents unforgettable richness in historical fiction and masterful storytelling. The evocative writing touches one’s soul and reminds us how simple things and gestures stand for what life is about. A mother who can offer an hour of extra sleep to her children is the only luxury she can afford; or a son gifting a mother a simple wreath woven from her favorite flowers of gardenias.
With vivid portrayal, we taste a juice of a fresh fig; we smell the flowers paving the path to the sea; and we bask in the sun and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.
This story is character-driven with well-fleshed out characters, filled with backstories, and woven with lyrical prose. It is highly engrossing, making the pace fast. It brings many interesting facts that don’t overwhelm the story. It is fascinating to learn what a difference Queen Frederica made by creating a safe place for children and giving each an education. Thus, making a tremendous impact on humanity.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com...more
Patroclus, son of Menoitius, feels unloved. At the age of ten he is exiled from his father’s kingdom due to an accidental death he caused to another bPatroclus, son of Menoitius, feels unloved. At the age of ten he is exiled from his father’s kingdom due to an accidental death he caused to another boy. He ventures to Phthia where he meets Achilles, son of sea goddess Thetis and king Peleus.
King Peleus supposedly was a runaway himself once, thus having a soft spot for the exiled ones, he welcomes Patroclus into his kingdom.
At first, the loneliness seems to be following Patroclus to his new place, but after a few weeks Achilles takes interest in Patroclus. They forge a close bond and thus begins their friendship.
When Helen of Sparta is abducted by Paris of Troy, her husband’s brother, king Agamemnon, raises an army against impenetrable Troy and in the process uniting Greek kingdoms.
Achilles is asked to join the effort, but his protective mother is against it. Tricked by Odysseus, he feels he has no choice but to join the war effort. There is honor, pride, arrogance leading to another conflict.
The war is vividly portrayed with its tactics of raids first – taking the lives of farmers and tradesmen from the vast network of villages that supported the city of Troy; followed by a real battle. But it was a strange war, it wasn’t about gaining lands, it was about the most beautiful woman.
The gods and mortals don’t mix happily in Greek mythology, but this modern retelling has a very realistic touch. The life is breathed into immortals and with simplified version of legends and myths it is very lifelike with wonderful flow. The story is character driven which are exquisitely developed. The writing is vivid and remarkable....more
Klytemnestra and Helen are daughters of Lord Tyndareos, King of Sparta. Klytemnestra as the oldest daughter is the heiress, and so is supposed to be tKlytemnestra and Helen are daughters of Lord Tyndareos, King of Sparta. Klytemnestra as the oldest daughter is the heiress, and so is supposed to be the Queen of Sparta and stay with her family. But her father betroths her to Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, which means she needs to live in his kingdom. All this results in a feeling of betrayal, and fear she will likely never see her family again, since a married woman does not travel, and is the steward of her husbands’ household.
Helen, legendary for her beauty, gets betrothed to Menelaos, who is Agamemnon’s brother. As much as she appreciates her husband’s gentleness, she is frustrated with him not expressing his feelings. Without much conversation between them, she feels as she hardly knows her husband, but now that she is pregnant, he shows a lot of tenderness and she hopes it’s a new beginning for them.
When Menelaos welcomes friendship between two kingdoms, his and the one of Troy, it changes everything. Helen is enchanted by the handsome Prince Paris of Troy. His flattery makes her alive again, and she finds herself liking the attention. Meanwhile, Menelaos is forced to leave his kingdom and leave Helen to entertain the guests. Upon returning home from his grandfather’s funeral, he finds his palace ransacked and his wife gone. He just doesn’t know if she went willingly or forcefully. Now, all Greece unites in an effort to fight the rich and powerful Troy.
As the story alternates between two sisters, we get to know their thoughts and feelings well. This story is wonderful in exploring those aspects, giving voice to women who didn’t have any voice and any choice in decision making. Readers can certainly feel their frustration, disappointment, and joy. It touches you when Helen’s eyes are opened to the fate of the female slaves as she was too naïve to see what was going around her. Both women defy their husbands in their own way in secret. One dreams of more than just spinning wool, she dreams of weaving words, something meant for men only.
This is a straightforward and enjoyable read. This story is character-driven, and the plot is not filled with details of Greek mythology. The ending is touching; in a sense a war had to be fought in order for two people to open up to each other. It brings a human touch to this legendary mythology.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com ...more
This story sheds light on Greece’s role during WWII.
October 1940, Mussolini gives Prime Minister Metaxas three hours to surrender or he invades GreeceThis story sheds light on Greece’s role during WWII.
October 1940, Mussolini gives Prime Minister Metaxas three hours to surrender or he invades Greece.
Eighteen year old best friends, Alexei and Costa, leave their homes to take part in fighting for their country. And right before that Alexei proposes to his long time love of his life – Philia. His father encourages him to do it in order to give him purpose, something to fight for, to come back home to.
“The Greek soldiers had no training.” And instead of receiving one, they receive encouraging words from PM. Since Greeks “had been warriors since as far back as time could remember, it was a part of who they were – a part of their blood (…). It was part of a legacy (…). Thus, it wasn’t something that they needed to learn, or train for…” Alexei and Costa, sons of fishermen, are handed rifles now.
1941, a second attack comes from Hitler. Both friends have to pick up weapons and head north again to resist an invader.
For most of the part, the battle descriptions are more of geographic and strategic background, rather than brutality and gruesome descriptions, which makes is it an easier read and which I preferred.
Some scenes have fairly brief descriptions. The beauty of a place is in that one word, I didn’t see it in the description. The love between two people is in that one word, I didn’t feel it.
I wanted the characters to be better developed. I didn’t get attach to any of them. The writing is what I would call smooth. The problem is missing feelings and what the characters think and that’s what needs to be breathed into this writing.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review....more
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