The Explosive Nature of Friendship

Greek Village/Greek Island #3

by Sara Alexi

Alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here

Mitsos has spent the last twenty years trying to comes to terms with the events of a single day and all that led up tp it. In his twilight years a suprising turn of events gives him a chance to rectify his biggest wrong and give himself the peace he is seeking. But is what he has wanted for the last twenty years what he still wants now and is he the man he thought he was? Set against a backdrop of a small Greek farming village, comedy and tragedy are present in equal measures. Sara transports you to a land of sea and sun as she explores what it means to be human, and fallible. The book examines the nature of friendship, and how our choices and our perceptions of our place in society can define us.

Genres: Fiction, Greece, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Cultural, Ebooks, Novels

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2012

About the author

Best selling author Sara Alexi was born in Oxford, England. After travelling widely she now splits her time between England and a tiny rural village in the Peloponnese, in Greece, where she has renovated a stone farmhouse, whilst observing the Greek way of life and absorbing the culture.

As a qualified psychotherapist, Sara ran her own practice for years. Her artistic nature was, during that time, confined to painting and she exhibited widely. Her move to Greece was the catalyst that began her writing.

Her 'Greek Village Series' has been very well received and provides a keenly observed, compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general.

If you would like a complementary copy of the first in "The Greek Village" Series please follow the links on her web site.

www.Saraalexi.com

She would also love you to friend her on;

https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraalexi

You can also read a recent interview with Sara here: https://saraalexi.com/2016/03/19/unde...

Reviews

[David Staniforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Sara Alexi, worth slightly more than four stars, but the blunt rating system doesn't allow for such scoring.

As with the others in the series, so far, this book follows a minor character from a previous book, with prior major characters coming into play in a minor way. I find this a really enjoyable concept. I guessed where this was going but the journey was still as enjoyable as it would have been had I been incorrect.

A point to note for anyone reading the ebook version. Sample chapters of the next book take up the last 10% of reading progress, which made the ending feel rather abrupt. It didn't bother me too much, and is a minor negative in what is a great read.

I will definitely be reading the next in the series.

[Paul Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have made the trip to Sara's two previous visits to the village, you are going to be highly pleased with the third. We find the familiar faces and places as it gets even deeper into the backstory of its characters. This is a village where the heart is behind all of the action, and the heart is where the story is centered. One the real treats is how detailed the descriptions are, which makes you feel like you can smell the flowers and see the colorful sights of this Greek landscape. The author's ability to tell a story keeps growing with each of her books and this one is engaging right from the first pages. I find myself becoming a fan of her work and I'm looking forward to her next one. These people are fun.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always a little apprehensive when reading the third or fourth book of a series, often they are not of the same quality as the first couple. This was the case with this Greek Village series although not in the way I had been expecting. I found 'The Explosive Nature of Friendship' even more enjoyable than the first couple of books in this series, which I might add I had thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great story, well told, packed with emotion and humour. The characters were fully dimensional and it was great to see some characters return from previous books in the series. One thing I find that Sara Alexi does exceedingly well is setting the scene, I feel like I have visited the village and now I am left with an urge to jump on a plane and explore Greece for myself.
I would be happy to recommend this book to other readers and although this book could stand alone, to get the most enjoyment, I would highly recommend reading the first two books in the series first.

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I still found the book entertaining I did not enjoy it as much as I did the previous two. My favourite of the three is The Illegal Gardener. Books 2 and 3 were more suspenseful than the first. The first was much more contemplative, although an argument could be made that the other two are contemplative as well.

I found the fact that the books are not sequential in time a little disorienting at first, but I soon became used to it. There are a few unexplained things in Book 3 leaving matters hanging in the air. After keeping the little nephew's name secret until the very end there is no rationale for choosing it.

Perhaps I am just not the type of person to like series of books, or perhaps I should have taken more time in between reading the three books?

One last thought: there are quite a few editorial lapses which could be part of my lack of enchantment.

[Dawn Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures of Greek life and scenery. Odd characters that only interested me enough to annoy me. Maybe I should have begun with book #1, and then I would feel differently about the characters at this point?

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious and pointless.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was VERY disappointed the the third book of the Greek Village Series. It was as though the author drew out the ridiculous antics of Manolis to fill space. The ending just left me empty.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story!

Having found “The Illegal Gardener” (first book in this series) and loved it, I quickly followed up by reading "Black Butterflies" which shares Marina, the local shop owner's story. Now in this third book, we get to hear Mitsos’ story.

And this is how it starts: “The whitewashed village basked in the summer sun, the red tiled roofs hazy in the heat. The road shimmered, the dust along its edges still. Not even a dog barked.”

This opening paragraph puts you into that hot Greek village, where life is slow. People stop at the kafenio for coffee and ouzo. And slowly as the book unfolds, you learn how Mitsos lost his arm and in part, thanks to having to babysit his baby nephew, Mitsos starts opening up and sharing his life and his dreams that have been dashed and his hopes for the future.

I’ve loved this series of books. I love the slowness that makes you, the reader, stop racing through your own life for some hours to enjoy this village life. I love being a “fly on the wall” while these wonderful people share their lives. It just makes me want to pack my bags and go off to find my own quiet Greek village!

Treebeard

[Nene Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this is a simply delightful story. I have never visited Greece, but even so I felt as involved as a local. I cared about what happened. It felt a little 'Remains of the Day'-ish to me and in Sara Alexi's capable hands the protagonist was given a certain grace and dignity as his story unfolded in a natural, easy and completely believeable way. I was cheering him on from the sidelines - and wish him nothing but the best. This is a lovely novel, full of characters you'll recognise and places you wish you'd seen, written with a deftness of touch that will leave you totally immersed in the story. I recommend you read it!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Alexi has a way with words that puts you right there in Greece. This is book three in this series & I love the way she integrates characters from the first two in this one. Mitsos is the main character and to me, a tragic one. He puts himself through so much for friendship/love. I came to love him & want good things for him. For me, I wasn't happy with the ending. I won't spoil it for others. On to book four "The Gypsy's Dream"

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as Goodreads giveaway. Thank you Sara. This is now the third book I have read in this series and it did not disappoint! It was lovely to have it in book format as the others I have read are on the Kindle. I love Greece and when I'm reading these books I feel as if I know the village and the villagers. I have already recommended this series to friends and family and they have all loved it. I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Thank you again Sara.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again alovely read from Sara Alexi. I particularly love the way she weaves characters from her earlier books into the stories so that little by little you learn more about them. It is so well written that it seems the village actually exists and is more fact than fiction. Can thoroughly recommend.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a man's reminiscence of his childhood adventures and the ways he tries to make up for them as an adult.

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Explosive Nature of Friendship jangled my heartstrings and had me reaching for the kleenex more than once. This is a tale of fateful choices that have repercussions way beyond the chooser's imagining. It shows how sometimes a small, reflexive, almost unconscious choice by one person can affect several people and forever change the course of their lives. It is a story of love, loss, friendship and "might have beens". If you're looking for a light, happy read, this is not your book. But if you can handle a painful story with twists, I highly recommend it.

[Tina M · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I’ve read the 1st and the 2nd of this particular series, but there appears to be so many spin-offs from the original that I’m having trouble figuring out which goes to which.
The book is ok. Light-hearted, but serious in nature at times.
Shows the true side of having to deal with the consequences of our actions and behaviors, whether we chose to acknowledge them or not. The consequences will continue to roll on, with or without our active participation. The choice is always ours to participate, the outcome-not so much.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Sara Alexi book. I did not like it quite as much as the Illegal Gardener or Septic Cyril. It was however a thoroughly pleasant read. I felt it didn't have as much resolution as the other two books or draw me into the lives as much, however, it does paint a charming picture of a
Greek village, the simple lives of farmers and the sea.

[paula Rozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship can sometimes be toxic. Mitsos wanted to walk away from his friend but was always persuaded to join in his escapades. Even in to adulthood he followed his friend hoping that his ideas would be successful, but it never happened.

[Catherine J. Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad for the protagonist

I am disappointed that the main character didn't find his love returned in this story. I was hoping for him to make a connection with one of his lady friends.

[Linda O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about the simplistic lives in a Greek village. Well worth reading. This is one of a series. Once I read one I couldn't wait to read the next one.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was part of a series. The Greek village and their people were very interesting along with their culture,

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire Greek village series is a fun, delightful romp. Thoroughly enjoyable light reading, a great way to spend a lazy day with a cup of tea.

[Angela Ryser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice simple story with a sad ending.

[Steve G · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent

[Peggy Pleasant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd in the series and I am enjoying these characters created by Sari Alexi. This is about Mitros and his telling stories to his nephew whom he is babysitting. Examines friendship and how our choices our perceptions define us.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old man reflects on his solitary life and lost chances, mourning what could have been.

His long-time love has little to do with him. He thinks she blames him for her husband's death and wishes he could make his failure up to her.

He's increasingly drawn to the woman who runs the restaurant where he eats, but she's married to the brutish owner. He wishes he could help her.

Then a letter comes. Maybe he will have a chance to redeem his mistakes.

Alexi has created a wonderful series about people in the village: petty ones, pretty ones, good ones, and mean ones. The stories tell about past lives, current lives, how people grew into what they are, and how they came to the village.

There are some problems--engrossed in one point of view, we suddenly find ourselves in someone else's head; occasionally, we come upon a missed/wrong word--but the writing paints such a wonderful picture of the Greek village, we don't care. The stories remind me a lot of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. They immerse us in another culture and make us want to take a year off to experience it.

I thought the first one I read was a nice story. The second seemed an interesting piece relating to the first. Then the third one made me realize each one was a sliver of a magnificent, lyrical whole.

This is not the best book in Alexi's Greek village series, but it's still entertaining. If you are looking for a gentle, interesting story of how people relate, you'll enjoy these books.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and although it is possible to read, understand and enjoy as a stand alone, I think readers would take more from it if they have read the other two books, especially Black Butterflies, as this book features characters and events from that book told from a different perspective.
The title for my review comes from the main character. He has spent his life thinking some things and accepting these as truth. As in the other books I have read in this series, we see his character change and grow as he slowly finds out the truth. This book moves at a slower pace than the first two books, but I believe that this matches the awakening of the character and so the book flows along at the right pace for the story.
I am really enjoying reading these books, I think the author has created a great world, full of colourful characters (both main and supporting) with interesting ways of life, all set in a beautiful surrounding. I can't wait to get on to the next one...

[Richard Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each of Sarah Alexi's books we are getting to know this particular fictional Greek village better, and what a delight that is. This novel manages to seamlessly blend comedy and tragedy as it delves into the past of its main protagonist, a hero terribly flawed by his inability to assert himself who has, all too often, let life pass him by. At heart a good man, we learn his tragic story from his childhood to the present. The writer goes to some very dark places at times but there is always a sense that human kindness will triumph and that there is always hope for redemption. Characters from Alexi's first two novels make a welcome reappearance as the reader gets the sense of peeling this particular literary onion, each book revealing a little bit more and, if not careful, bringing us to the point of tears. And throughout, Greece is always there in all its splendour, a flawed paradise which, to her credit, the writer never sentimentalises. This is a beautiful book, which ultimately makes the reader care about its characters, and who can ask for any more than that?
Richard Clark

[April Aasheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about two 'friends' and what they have gone through during their time together. It is told through the eyes of Mitsos to his baby nephew in a series of flashbacks. In these flashbacks we learn that Manolis (Mitsos' companion) is not always a 'friend' but is a person of mischief and manipulation.

I really enjoyed the stories of Mitsos and his interesting relationship with Manolis. I also liked the way the author resolved the situation and had Mitsos come into his own.

That said, what I really appreciated about the story was right there with Mitsos, both in present day and in his past. The author did an amazing job with setting and place. I could feel every blade of grass, every drop of sunshine. I could hear the voices of all the neighbors and people in the village. I was magically transported.

I read this without knowing that it was part of a series. I will probably go back and read the other two books in the series.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do so enjoy this series, because in each book you learn about someone else living in this little village. It is not a mystery series, just stories of every day people in a small Greek village. Having lived in a Greek village for 6 months, I like to think that this is my village and the people of my village. In this book we learn a little more of Marina, who was featured in the previous book, and of Mitsos, a man who was the reluctant friend of her husband for 40 years. Mostly, it is the story of Mitsos and how he came to forgive himself for Manolis death 20 years before. Mitsos is a very responsible person, who feels the need to help his fellow villagers, especially Marina and Stella. He lives alone and manages to farm his land with one arm and his memories. In forgiving himself, he learns that others had forgiven him many years before and saw him as a victim.