My Greek Books
Welcome back to My Greek Books! My kids have been back to school for a few weeks already, but now that Labor Day has passed, we can officially say the summer is winding down. Did you make it through your Summer Reading List? If not, just keep going. That’ll make it still feel like summer!
This month, come along with me to Metsovo, Crete, and Corfu for some virtual travel. And, I’ll share with you an amazing poetry collection from a Greek-American writer. Let’s go!
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Matoula’s Echo by Richard Romanus
Armida Publications; 2nd Revised ed. edition (July 5, 2024)
About the author
Richard Romanus was an actor, screenwriter, producer, composer, and author. Born and raised in Vermont and Connecticut, he studied Philosophy at Xavier University. He attended law school for one year, then left to pursue a career in acting. Richard studied at the Actors Studio and his first major role was as Michael in Martin Scorsese’s film, MEAN STREETS. He performed in theater, TV, and films. He’s also known for playing Dr. Melfi’s ex-husband on ‘The Sopranos’.
He teamed up with his wife, Anthea Sylbert, to write and produce GIVING UP THE GHOST (1998) and IF YOU BELIEVE (1989). They received a Writers Guild of America award for Best Original Screenplay for the latter. The couple retired, and in 2001 moved to Skiathos, Greece.
He’s published a collection of short stories, two novels, and his memoir, ACT III, was shortlisted for the 2012 Rubery International Book Award. The author passed away in December 2023.
About the book
The story opens in the bitter cold of 1940, in Metsovo, Greece as the Axis powers prepare to invade. The women and children are left alone in the village, as all the able-bodied men trek to the border in defense. Young village women risk their lives traveling at night over rugged, snow-covered mountains to bring supplies and food to fuel the mission. Matoula, the favorite daughter of the family, is among those women.
Her sister Maria Christina, just 17 and near-sighted, which the family considers a handicap, longs to do her part. She doesn’t have Matoula’s looks, so the family keeps her at home, hidden away, destined for spinsterhood. Maria Christina hopes to break out of her family’s shadow. One night, she convinces Matoula to let her go along. But then Matoula dies. Undaunted, Maria Christina seizes the opportunity to prove she is worthy, and stake her place in the world.
Maria Christina raises Matoula’s young daughter and cares for the family. But her father blames her for all that’s gone wrong. In caring for her niece, Maria Christina falls in love with her late sister’s husband Yannis, a doctor who is away operating on the wounded at the front lines. She’s ashamed and tries to keep it to herself. But fate has other ideas. Maria Christina continues the dangerous missions to the front, but when she’s forced to flee Metsovo and take her niece to New York City to keep her safe, everything changes. Can she assimilate to life in the US? Will she return to Greece? And what of her future? You’ll have to read it to find out.
My Greek Books review
Matoula’s Echo is a sweeping tale of war, family, loss, sacrifice, and the struggle to find our place in the world. I’m sad that Richard Romanus has passed away. He’s a skilled storyteller who painted a vivid picture of life in war torn Greece, and the new immigrant experience in the US. Add this one to your list.
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The Vineyard in Crete by Richard Clark
Independently published (July 7, 2024)
About the author
Brit Richard Clark is the author of 12 non-fiction books about Greece. All of his novels, including, A Piano Bar in Crete, The Forgotten Song, The Crete Walking Society, Return to Turtle Beach, and The Lost Lyra are set on the island of Crete, which is his heart’s home. Richard traveled to Crete for the first time in 1982, when he took a job there as a teacher. He later bought a home there and splits his time between Crete and the UK. Richard’s love for the beautiful, historic island is evident in all his books. This novel is his sixth.
About the book
In a village in Crete, two families own adjacent vineyards. When the domineering and greedy father catches his daughter kissing the son of the other vineyard owner, he locks the girl away in punishment.
One day, while the father is out, the mother and daughter run away, seeking shelter in her family’s village. The father seeks revenge and a land grab, so he sets the vineyards on fire, and frames the other family. The young man’s family must leave Crete immediately, and a friend takes them to safety in Italy, where they start a new life.
When the curmudgeonly father dies, his daughter receives word that she’s inherited the property. But she wants nothing to do with it and doesn’t want to open old wounds. She and her husband decide to sell it and give the proceeds to their son to start a new venture. They return to their former home to put it on the market.
But there’s a problem. Part of the land doesn’t belong to them—it belongs to another family, and they must contact them. The other family is reluctant to revisit the past, as the son and his family live in the UK and his parents in Italy. But they agree to return, also thinking they will sell their land. The boy, now a man, heads to Crete with his father and daughter. As they visit the property, she falls in love with it. Having grown up in her family’s vineyards, and studying winemaking, she is determined to reconnect to her Cretan roots and bring the old vineyard back to life. But there’s much to do, and she’ll have to deal with the other family at some point. Can old wounds be healed? Can they put the past behind them? Read it and find out!
My Greek Books review
Once again, Richard Clark takes us to Crete with a riveting tale of forbidden love and revenge, and ultimately, forgiveness and new beginnings. Richard must have studied the winemaking process, because he describes it in impressive detail. I didn’t want it to end! The Vineyard in Crete* is a story you won’t forget.
*I read an advance review copy
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Another Greek Summer (The Little Blue Door series) by Francesca Catlow
Gaia and Fenrir Publishing LTD (July 5, 2024)
About the author
Francesca Catlow is the author of “escapist women’s fiction with romance and emotional twists”. She started writing as a way to keep her sanity during the pandemic, “trapped indoors” with a husband who has daily seizures, a two-year-old, and a newborn. She said she wrote in the middle of the night wishing she was in Greece.
Her novels are set in Corfu, a place of which she feels deeply connected. Previously, Francesca was a performer and dance teacher. After writing the first draft of her first novel, she began studying the writing craft. She’s the author of nine novels.
About the book
Alice’s fiancé surprises her with a trip to Corfu. Sounds idyllic, right? But she swore she’d never return. And she couldn’t forget. Six years earlier, while on a trip with her best friends, she met Nico, and reluctantly fell in love. As much as she wanted to stay, she returned to England, where her whole future was already mapped out.
When she arrives on the island with her fiancé, Ethan, she tries to avoid all the places that Nico might be. But everything reminds her of that summer. Then one night, they run into Nico, and she’s forced to deal with her feelings—the only two men she had ever loved stood right in front of her. Ethan didn’t know about Nico. The past won’t stay buried as old feelings burn strong and Alice must decide between a quiet, steady life in England, or a passionate, less certain one in Corfu. Which will she choose?
My Greek Books review
Francesca Catlow not only took us on a virtual trip to the island of Corfu, but also one that makes us think: would we settle for a good, quiet life in the city where we live, or move away to a Greek island for a shot at a beautiful love story? Another Greek Summer is a page turner. I truly couldn’t put it down. Grab a copy and escape to Corfu.
BONUS!
Esemplastic: Many and One by Karian Markos
Highland Park Poetry Press (August 1, 2024)
About the author
Karian Markos is a Chicago-based Greek-American poet, writer, and nonprofit attorney. The daughter of Greek immigrants from the island of Chios, Greece, she spends much time there. Karian said she is greatly inspired by the island’s medieval history, natural beauty, and strong naval tradition.
She’s also a poet. Her work has been published in Living Crue Magazine, Prairie Light Review, Highland Park Poetry, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Bombfire, and more. She’s currently working on a couple of novels. Esemplastic: Many and One is the winner of the Highland Park Poetry 2024 Prairie State Poetry Prize for a first or second book.
About the book
This collection contains more than 40 poems written over a period of several years. In her debut poetry collection, she culls inspiration from her Greek heritage and culture, nature, and her life’s journey.
My Greek Books review
Karian Markos’ lush language and vivid imagery take us on a flight into her diverse worlds, provoking thought and reflection into our own. Esemplastic: Many and One* is a gorgeous collection of poetry that is not to be missed.
*I read an advance review copy
My Greek Books—September 2024 Edition
Well, that’s it for this month. Be sure to add these books to your to-be-read list! Check back next month for more My Greek Books!
Read more:
My Greek Books—September 2023 Reads
My Greek Books—September 2022 Reads
