Живот по гръцки

by Peter Barber, Питър Барбър, Юлия Чернева (Translator)

Обичана от мнозина, Гърция привлича с красивата си природа, кристално чиста морска вода и вкусна храна. Но едно е да пийваш узо до плажа през лятото, а съвсем друго – да заживееш там.

С помощта на Питър Барбър, който от години живее в Гърция и изцяло се е потопил в гръцкия начин на живот, ще преоткрием напълно нашата съседка! Питър с лекота ни пренася там и ни запознава с красиви и малко познати местенца, с комичната страна на гръцката бюрокрация, с типично гръцки ексцентрични персонажи и още. Докато се адаптира към гръцкия начин на живот и изцяло непознатия за него манталитет и език, авторът ни потапя с топлина, уважение и много хумор в гръцките традиции и култура. Интимният му поглед над всичко гръцко ще ни припомни или ще пробуди любовта ни към близката, но все така екзотична и примамлива Гърция.

„Живот по гръцки“ ни повежда на едно интригуващо и обогатяващо пътешествие със средиземноморски полъх!

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Greece, Romance

232 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Peter Barber is the award-winning, bestselling author of Greek travel memoirs, including A Parthenon on our Roof and A Parthenon in Pefki.

A native Londoner, he lives between England and Greece. Marrying his fiery Greek wife Alexandra not only made him part of a Greek family but also immersed him in Greek life and culture. Fascinated by the people, history and traditions, Peter dove in head first. He wished to be among the locals and experience Greek life first-hand.

From his cultural and language flubs to the trials and tribulations of life in Greece, Peter sometimes got more than he bargained for. But with his signature wit, he found humor in their escapades. And, as he learned more about Greece’s history, his new family, and modern life in Greece, he knew he had to share his insights.

His humorous and heartfelt travel memoirs reveal the real Greece—not just sun and sea, but the wonderful people, rich history and culture. If you can’t get to Greece, live Greece through his books.

Peter is a proud member of the UK’s Society of Authors.

Reviews

[Sharon Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading this book and can truly say no scan reading was involved either. A sweet story of love lost and refound, more by sheer good luck than design. The not everyday story of a sparky Greek girl and an 'English' Englishman. A generous helping of humour and wit underpins the book as Peter recounts their various escapades. Can't wait for his next book ⭐⭐

[Avishe Atipova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Приятно,леко четиво и доста смях. Чрез различни ситуации са представени гръцкият темперамент , бит , култура,начин на живот,природа, история и т.н . Потапяш се в истинската Гърция.В много от случаите откривах сходни черти с нашия манталитет.
Почти във всяка глава, се набляга на храненето. Хубаво,лошо - все на ресторант , какво се яде и пие,което за мен лично е малко прекалено. Не знам , дали в Гърция в действителност е така, но е дразнещо.
Краят е попретупан.

[Amy Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm reading this book and, for the most part, enjoying it...however, I have to rant about something. I don't think practical jokes and pranks are at all funny because they're always at the expense of someone--in this case, the author and husband. I don't find it amusing that his beloved wife tries to get him to be more open in a Greek way by embarrassing and humiliating him. But, even worse, I can't understand why he just takes it and thinks she's improving him! If that was me, it would be more like WWIII in our house, and I'd be absolutely furious with my (darling!) hubby for hanging me out to dry and finding it funny. I just can't enjoy and find this at all entertaining and it's beyond me why and how Peter Barber finds this acceptable and a learning experience rather than an insult.

Okay, well he wasn't married at the time but, for me, nothing changed before or after their marriage. and, while I enjoyed reading about Greece, I really could barely stand to read about how his hot-tempered gf/wife didn't change throughout (example: the chapter re Hydra--the way she ignored his intense discomfort and later laughed about his biking was just appalling and offensive to me--and yet, how he accepted it completely with no resistance or demands they leave the island earlier was indicative of his submissive response to what I consider to be abusive behavior.)

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read. I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and it's just as good as I hoped. The story of Peter and Alex's courtship is set against Greek scenery, food, history, and some well written characters. And the rebuilding of Alex's family home by a not totally honest building contractor. It all blends into an enchanting, amusing story, by an accomplished storyteller. Think Peter Mayle, transported to Greece. Apparently there is a sequel in the offing. I hope I don't have long to wait, I'm really looking forward to reading more by this hugely talented author.

[Ралица Нейчева · Rating 5 out of 5]

Книга, която е наситена с разнобразни моменти, караща ни да се смеем. Изживяваме приказните гледки през очите на персонажите на заобикалящите ги острови и грабим с пълни шеби от вълшебството. Ако си бил на почивка в Атина, плануваш такава или мечтаеш и е част от предпочитаните дестинации от теб, значи това е книга, която трябва да прочетеш.🥰

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! I love Greece so I really wanted to read this book, as a USA transplant I also understand the trials and tribulations of falling in love and uprooting to another country! I loved how between all the craziness of building a new home with a crazy developer we get to visit some beautiful Greek villages with Peter and Alex ... makes me want to go back but it's much farther to get there now ....

[Kathryn Gauci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny, light, and humorous book and I applaud the author for taking on Greek bureaucracy the way he did. Maybe being in love certainly helped his humor because having lived in Greece myself, it can be annoyingly frustrating, especially for someone from England. So the only thing to do is face it with good grace. The Greek way of life clearly comes to the fore in this book and I loved it: fiery tempers, overt friendliness, and a love of good food go hand in hand. I salute Peter and his wife for managing the trials and tribulations of Stavros without strangling him. Well done.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining read. First and foremost it’s a love story. Peter describes his love for his feisty Greek wife Alex and also his love for his adopted homeland of Greece. It wasn’t always easy to adapt and it was rather a steep learning curve for the author to understand the Greek temperament and customs. Greece is one of my favourite holiday destinations so it was fascinating to read a bit of the real Greek way of life.
It’s easy to read and one which I didn’t want to put down - especially the stories regarding the construction of their dream home and dealing with a decidedly cunning and dodgy builder! I’d love to see the Parthenon on the roof. It must be quite something!

[Sue Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! An Informative, enjoyable, and funny read about the author’s life in Greece. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Kristýna · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was the perfect background to my first trip to Greece and Athens. It was completely different from the tourist guides I've read before, here I find more Greek soul than just facts. The author has an incredible ability to write light so I've find myself finished the book for a short time. It smell like sea and olives. All the positives and negatives sides are included. I am looking forward for an amazing greek summer.

[Sally Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining look at the collision of cultural norms in an Anglo-Greek marriage. Although Peter and his exuberant extended family may not always make the travel choices I’d make, the story takes us to fascinating locations that exude the flavours of Greece. Where Barber excels is in transporting the reader to many a destination a traveller would recognise, and then sharing an insider anecdote, showing a facet of Greek society and culture that most of us would never otherwise experience.

There’s no doubt that there is great love in these pages – from the passionate relationship between Peter and Alex, to a deep love for Greece itself – and the illustrations created by Peter’s daughter are a delight. I laughed out loud more than once during this read, and I added a few locations to my Greek travel wish list, too.

[Jacquie Jerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

fighting talk

Alex is a very feisty Greek lady, who loves sparring with her overbearing neighbour Stavros . Meanwhile her husband has to learn to live the Greek way. A great story displaying the English laid back approach, to the fighting Greeks.

[Luisa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir of an Englishman fortuitously re-encountering, decades later, the Greek girl for whom he had once held a teenage infatuiation. Now a beautiful woman he again falls head over heels and thankfully, on this occasion, the feelings are mutual. As the book progresses we enter into Alex's Greek home through the eyes of a person who wants to learn, to integrate and to become part of a family which, as he soon observes, is still steeped in ancient traditions, while also having liberal attitueds to other aspects of life. Complicated? Yes. Fascinating? Most definitely. It is all a huge cultural shock to this patient man. We begin to love his feisty, sexy, witty Greek partner who must never be crossed. The story of their new home build and how Alex handles the rogue constructor, is a joy to read. Along the way we learn some Greek history and a great deal about Greek culture. At its conclusion we are left wanting to know more.

[Jani TullyChaplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most entertaining and fascinating insight into the author's Anglo Greek marriage and induction to a wonderful Greek family. Peter Barber writes from the heart, without condescension or conceit, he carries the reader with him through the trials and tribulations of building in Greece, but with humour and love of his new life. He has the invaluable gift of being able to laugh at himself. For those who have been lucky enough to live in Greece, we can relate to everything he describes; for those who haven't, I suggest they read this book immediately. I can't wait for the sequel!
Jani Tully Chaplin

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful love story

So this book may induce you to fall in love with Greece. An staid Englishman falls for a fiery Greek Goddess, and builds a home in the ancient sky. It was funny and written with such warmth and respect for an interesting culture.
The only thing that raised an eyebrow was the trip with the dogs. Crate train! Destructive pups are why the rest of us have so many problems traveling with dogs! I can only hope the puppy’s foibles where exaggerated for comic effect.

[Linda Hawkswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyful and interesting read

I loved this interesting and well written book. Peter captures the readers attention, from the beginning I was transported to Greece and into his and Alex's life.
There were ups and downs along the way, plenty of amusing parts producing out loud laughter along with a few tears. Alex, a strong, feisty Greek lady who loves her culture and this is intertwined in their lives.

I could not put the book down and I can highly recommend reading this, thank you Peter and Alex.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read - definitely

I am fed up with reading jolly books about Britons living abroad, filled with whimsy. As a result I approached this book with a great deal of trepidation.

However, it turned out to be well written and full of superb descriptions of the Greek way of life.

The flat that this cross cultural
couple built in their suburb of Athens sounds horrible but it obviously made them happy which is what counts.

Recommended.

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this book and loved it!
Funny at times and sometimes more serious.
20 years after their first meeting, fate brought the author and his beautiful wife Alexandra together again. From adventures in beautiful Greece and the building of their dream home, we are entertained.

Thank you Peter and Alex for allowing us into a part of your lives😂

[Irena Karafilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely enjoyable book, notable for its knowledge of Greece, its insights, and above all humour. The author has a gift for making the most mundane experience interesting and fun. If you've spent any time in Greece, you will laugh out loud. Wonderful beach read!

[Danice H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much enjoyed

An interesting book, Greece is so different to
other countries and thos book was a good representation of the culture, I especially liked how the author wrote about his wife and family, respectful and kind without being rude.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an entertaining read, providing a full sensory experience of life in Greece for an expat. From navigating relationships with family, new neighbors, and society in general to adventurous exploration of all that Greece has to offer and managing to nestle into the rhythm of Greek life.

[Roberta A Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun read

The story of a Brit and a Greek goddess. Their adventures while building their dream home in Greece and a fun travelogue of the Greek Islands. Now I want to visit all those magical places they went!

[Gergina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително забавна, образователна и трогателна история, особено ако я четеш на гръцки плаж :)

[Teodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was alright but too many unrealistic and made-up stories

[Louisa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the book was quite funny and made me laugh, but for the most part, it seemed like reading a travel catalogue.i finished the book, but I don’t feel the need to read another one in this series.

[Katherine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books this year. I adored every word of this. I’m a sucker for anything travel or culture related and this book was right up my taverna-intensive alley. It’s the story of a typical Brit bloke, trying to find his slot when he marries into a typical Greek family. It’s brilliant. Funny, funny, funny and an interesting slice of somebody else’s life. Perfect fly-on-the-wall reading.


Every chapter begins with a cartoon illustration. I enjoyed looking at them to see what was coming up in that chapter. When you get to the one of Peter hanging onto a mule’s neck you’re in for a treat.


This leads me neatly into the humour and humanity of this book. I don’t laugh out loud. I might give a little internal smile at something mildly amusing. However, Peter and the mule smacked me right on my funny bone, and it was hilarious. And that’s down to the comic timing and delivery of the writing. I even read an excerpt out loud to my other half. The book’s a light read, it’s easy and pacey and a sunshine delight.


What comes across is the love between Alexandra and Peter. We’d all like to know that our partners held us in such high regard. Mind, it took a brave man to take her on, she’s a Greek fire-cracker. Without it ever lapsing into mushy, it’s a delight to read.

Make this your book of the summer, or the one to drag you through the winter. It educates about a different way of life without preaching, It’s sweet, funny and reminiscent of Bill Bryson’s Postcards of…


Buy it, read it, pass it on, and love it. I’m looking forward to the sequel, A Parthenon in Pefki.

[Beth Haslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this wonderfully entertaining memoir, Peter Barber tells the story of life with Alex, his partner, a fiery Greek beauty, and how he becomes part of her family. And this is not a starchy, frightfully British integration. It’s a full-on bear-hugging immersion.

The principal family members live happily under one roof. A central theme is the decision to upgrade their traditional home on the same plot. But it isn’t plain sailing. As the couple battles through endless construction-related traumas and triumphs, Peter’s placid nature becomes a saving grace in calming Alex’s fiercely combative temperament. Somewhat soothed, she focuses her attention on another project.

Alex decides to educate Peter about all things Greece. And she’s on a passionate mission.

Peter Barber’s self-effacing humour shines through as the reader is taken to gorgeous islands, mainland sites and learns about Greek history and cuisine. His descriptions of the colourful characters involved exude intoxicating warmth, making each tale fascinating, often incredibly funny and utterly charming.

The book is written with love. Love for Greece, the country that becomes his adoptive home, love for the Greek culture and most of all, love for the woman he has known almost all his life.

Oh, and is there a Parthenon on their roof? You’ll have to buy the book to find out!

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Parthenon on Our Roof, author Peter Barber shares the adventures of how he met his Greek wife, Alex, for the second time. They had met a party as teens and he had never forgotten her. As fate would have it, they meet again, after their first marriages had ended. Hers ended in divorce and he had become a widower. Then, it was as if the Greek gods shouted, “Let the games begin!”

Through many of her fiery escapades, Alex introduces him (British) to the Greek culture, taught him to loosen up, helped him learn the language and brought him into the fold of her large and welcoming family. They spend two years building a new family property while monitoring a cut-throat builder during its completion. They extensively travel through parts of Greece where he sprinkles in large amounts of historical tidbits.

They even make it to Delphi where the gods traveled to speak to the oracle before making grave decisions. There are several laugh-out-loud moments as Peter botches the Greek language unknowingly embarrassing himself or when he deals with the unreasonableness government bureaucracy as he tries to retrieve his missing license tags which had been taken because of a parking violation. A great read!

[Габриела Щинова · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Това познато ли ви е?:
"За да общува със съседите и да говори с приятелки на отсрещната страна на улицата, тя крещеше от прозореца на мъничката си кухня в сутерена, докато готвеше на печката...На тази улица нямаше тайни и всеки знаеше всичко за всеки."
📚А това?:
"Всеки грък знае дните на всички светци, които са много. Те винаги ги отбелязват и тъй като са всеки месец, много от тях хитро са определени в сряда. Няма смисъл да ходиш на работа в понеделник или вторник, четвъртък и петък трябва да си починеш. Ето защо денят на някой празник се превръща в седмица почивни дни."

📚С чувство за хумор в книгата си "Живот по гръцки" Питър Барбър ще ви разведе из всекидневието на комшиите. От момента, в който решава да се омъжи за гъркиня и се преселва от Англия в Южната ни съседка той се сблъсква с непознати за него ситуации и обичаи.

📚Затова от собствен опит ще ви обясни как се строи къща в Гърция, с копие на Партенона на покрива, ще ви разведе из таверни и магазини за храна, ще се превивате от смях как катери планината върху муле или кара зимни ски.

Ще научите тънкостите на шофирането и особеностите на пътните полицаи, които според настроението си глобяват за неправилно паркиране.

Ще се забавлявате с опитите му да научи местния език.

📚Атмосферата в книгата му е като извадена от трилогията на Джералд Даръл за Корфу или от филми като "Моята голяма гръцка сватба" и "Моят живот в руините".

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culture fusion of an international couple - I really enjoyed reading this memoir - it was a revelation with fascinating (and sometimes shocking!) facts (both Greek and British!) and I loved all the insights into Greek life and culture, from the beauty of the country, delicious food at the tavernas, their customs and superstitions, frustrating bureaucracy, dodgy driving habits and the colourful characters and temperaments along the way. This memoir is also a heartwarming love story as the awesome Alex - une femme formidable for sure - is not only irresistible to Peter, but also gives him a baptism of fire into Greek way of life and culture, peeling off his layers like an onion until he’s laid quite bare, and in that sense it's also a memoir about self-discovery. This is a memoir on meany levels - it’s a wonderful love story, a travelogue, and a memoir about renovation/building work (including the Stavros/Stamos the builder), and tales about travelling with dogs - there is such a lot packed into it. It’s also very funny - the donkey ride is especially hilarious. I loved reading this book. Looking forward to reading the sequel soon!