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Athens 1941. After decades of political uncertainty, Greece is polarised between Right- and Left-wing views when the Germans invade. Fifteen-year-old Themis comes from a family divided by these political differences. The Nazi occupation deepens the fault-lines between those she loves just as it reduces Greece to destitution. She watches friends die in the ensuing famine and is moved to commit acts of resistance.In the civil war that follows the end of the occupation, Themis joins the Communist army, where she experiences the extremes of love and hatred and the paradoxes presented by a war in which Greek fights Greek. Eventually imprisoned on the infamous islands of exile, Makronisos and then Trikeri, Themis encounters another prisoner whose life will entwine with her own in ways neither can foresee. And finds she must weigh her principles against her desire to escape and live.As she looks back on her life, Themis realises how tightly the personal and political can become entangled. While some wounds heal, others deepen.This powerful new novel from #1 bestseller Victoria Hislop sheds light on the complexity and trauma of Greece's past and weaves it into the epic tale of an ordinary woman compelled to live an extraordinary life.… (more)
User reviews
I know very little about Greek history so I found this tale enormously interesting. It’s really engrossing. Themis is a great character, she has such resilence. What she goes through is mind boggling. This is a wonderful story combining historical fact with fiction. It’s well paced and kept me eager to read more, quite the page turner in fact. The writing is vivid and gives a good sense of time and place. I almost felt I was there.
Easy to read, gripping and captivating, I can highly recommend it. “Those who are loved, they shall not die.”
Knowing nothing about modern Greek history this novel filled in some blanks, as lived by one family.
I'm not sure if I'd have enjoyed it more if there had been more of a gap from Captain Corelli, but I don't think it stood up well to the direct comparison. It is a book
The most notable themes for me was the 'siblings who really hate each other and are constantly cruel and arguing', and the huge u-turn of the main character from prepared to kill and die for her cause to happy to denounce her cause and never talk politics again to keep her children safe.
Those who are loved, they shall not die