Nicolai's Daughters

by Stella Leventoyannis Harvey

Compelled to fulfill her father's dying wish to find the half-sister he kept from her, Alexia arrives in her father's village of Diakofto on the edge of the Peloponnese. There she discovers a culture she knows nothing about, a country in financial crisis, and an extended family with too many secrets. The Sarinopoulos family has long been marked by tragedy, war, and a shame fanned by idle village gossip. Looming over Alexia's visit and the one trip back to Greece her father had taken twenty-five years earlier is the tragedy of Kalavryta, a Second World War massacre that changed their family forever. Told in alternating voices of Alexia and Nicolai, who each return to Greece to mourn a loss and find solace, Nicolai's Daughters uncovers the secret shame that festers in the Sarinopoulos family, refusing to heal until the truth is revealed.

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bernardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the novel presented a challenge as I felt it would be driven towards female readers. As it progressed, the attention to detail and the creation of highly believable characters made it easy to read. Women's frustration in a country driven by secrecy, shame and gossip was highlighted superbly, to the point in which I also felt frustrated for them. Daily traditions and small clues to Greek culture make the novel act as a learning device as well. To see Greece during World War II through the eyes of a teenage boy is certainly not usual, at least in my latitudes.

Though there are some issues that I was not contempt with, the novel itself brought satisfaction. I felt certain climatic moments could have used more drama such as the humiliating moment when Alexia finally realizes Achilles knew her father. The author managed to create an almost disgusting sensation of disappointment when he penetrated her that I felt could have translated to it. The description of Nicolai's father being abused by the German soldier angered me and I felt a lack of progress from the brave teenage boy to a traumatized grown man. I would have liked more of that development, of that decay if you will. These, however, are only details in an otherwise excellent book.

Also, I would have liked closure between Nicolai and his father. At least something more, not just that meeting in the motel room. I felt frustrated when it was Alexia who discovered everything and Nicolai couldn't. I did love how the author was able to create frustration between the two (Nicolai and his father) in such irrational ways that made them believable. In the end, our families are so complex we fail to understand them.

[Rona Shaffran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicolai`s Daughters is wonderful. I did NOT want it to finish. Please write a sequel! I am so impressed by the realism of the characters, the humane way they are treated, which made me feel very close to them, and by the message of renewal and hope in the story. The past lives in all of us, sometimes in tortuous ways. Facing it can free us, and the entire family. What a strong and meaningful message. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue in the family scenes, which could just as easily be any family that is emotionally warm and engaged with each other. The dialogue is so true to life, I could hear my aunts and cousins speaking the words (albeit with a different accent!). The writing is excellent, almost Hemingwayesque; always true and to the point. The short sentences contrast well with the powerful theme. Thank you for this excellent novel which is so human and touching. I highly recommend this book - do yourself a favour and read it soon.

[E.R. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating tale, told in two alternating voices. We see Alexa, a Greek-Canadian who knows nothing of her heritage and family ties (nor of a half-sister back in Greece), and her father Nicolai, who becomes estranged from his father and homeland. The story peels back the layers of family history, providing insight into cultures, the pull of blood ties, and the power of shame. At the centre of the plot is a horrifying, historically accurate event that changed the family and village forever. People of Greek extraction (and anyone else) will get a lot of out this book.

[Pamela Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The past is never dead. It's not even past, said William Faulkner. When Vancouver lawyer Alexia Sarinopoulous travels to Greece in search of the half-sister she never knew, she discovers the tragedy of Kalavryta, a Second World War massacre in the Peloponnese, and the scars it left through the generations of her family. Told with passion and insight, Nicolai's Daughters is a story for our times, a story that reminds us how the past can be overcome if it is faced, and how love can heal.

[Veronique Darwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this book's warmth toward Greek culture all while the main character is discovering it as her own. The shift Alexia experiences when she finds out she has a sister and needs to go to Greece to meet her family for the first time is represented empathetically and realistically. We see all sides of the complicated twists and turns of family in the pages of this book and it is the truth and warmth that comes from it that makes this book an absolute pleasure to read.

[Quennec Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of how history resonates within the people who live on, in far more personal ways than the textbooks can ever recall. I was riveted to Alexia's and Nicolai's stories, and fell just a little bit in love with these flawed, yet fascinating characters.

[Caroline Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with this wonderfully crafted book. The characters are complex and well constructed. Athens, Diakofto ... I felt like I was actually there. I love historical fiction and the story was so compelling that you were left wanting more ... sequel perhaps ...

[Marilyn]

Great story. Athough fiction, the characters are very "real" people living in a "real" world. As I read each chapter, I felt I was there - a fly on the wall overhearing/overseeing their lives. Stella, we need more of your books!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, especially in light of Greece's difficulties these days, and how that is linked in the book. Stella is my friend, and knowing her I am curious as to how this book ends :)

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I think the plot line was good and the feeling of family was there. I liked the background story.

[Susan Oakey-Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of book that settles into your bones and makes you feel that you have actually lived the experiences of the characters. The settings are vivid and the characters are believable.

[Foxglow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Learned a lot about the Greek culture. Enjoyed it a lot.

[Stella · Rating 1 out of 5]

It didn't live up to my expectations!!