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Afternoons in Ithaka
From the first heady taste of tomatoes on home-baked bread in her mother’s village in Petalidi, to sitting at a taverna some 30 years later in Ithaka with her young family, Spiri Tsintziras goes on a culinary, creative and spiritual journey that propels her back and forth between Europe and Australia. These evocative, funny and poignant stories explore how food and culture, language and music, and people and their stories help to create a sense of meaning and identity.
I remember crusty just-baked bread, rubbed with juicy tomato flesh, swimming in a puddle of thick green olive oil. I am seven years old. I sit on a stool in my grandmother's house. It is the height of summer in a seaside village in the south of Greece. We little Aussies devour 'tomato sandwiches' as the family chats and laughs and swats flies …
I remember crusty just-baked bread, rubbed with juicy tomato flesh, swimming in a puddle of thick green olive oil. I am seven years old. I sit on a stool in my grandmother's house. It is the height of summer in a seaside village in the south of Greece. We little Aussies devour 'tomato sandwiches' as the family chats and laughs and swats flies …
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2014
10 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Spiri Tsintziras
6 books6 followersSpiri Tsintziras is the author of Afternoons in Ithaka (ABC Books, 2014) and co-author of the best-selling title Parlour Games for Modern Families (Scribe, 2009), which won ABIA Book of the Year in 2010 and has been translated into Italian and Chinese, and converted into an app called 50 Fun Games for the Whole Family. Spiri's Tribal Tomato blog on food, family and connection, which explores similar themes to those explored in Ikaria has attracted more than 5000 followers.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 3, 2015
From the beautiful cover, to the delicious sounding blurb about it, this book could have been written especially for me. I am a huge fan of Greece - the people, the food, the stories, the sunshine - everything about that wonderful country delights me. I'm also passionate about food, about great ingredients and how to use them, so a book that combines Greece and food really is my idea of perfection.
Spiri Tsintziras grew up in Australia, her parents emigrated from Greece and made their home thousands of miles away. Despite this, her childhood and her upbringing was Greek - her Mother speaks very little English, her Father is traditionally over-protective, and she was surrounded by members of her extended family and natives of Greece.
Afternoons In Ithaka is a pure delight to read. Set out as part memoir, part recipe book and part history, it is quite unusual, but makes a change from other books in the same genre. Spiri is a talented author, she writes with ease and becomes something of a friend to the reader. This is her coming-of-age story and she hides nothing. The reader accompanies her as she rebels against her overbearing father, as she discovers men, as she flits from place to place. She often disappoints her family, they would have liked nothing better than for Spiri to settle down with a nice Greek boy whilst she was still very young. Instead, Spiri led her own life, she was determined to see things and do things, and although, in the end, she did conform (well, almost - her husband is Maltese, not Greek!), she had many adventures over the years.
Whilst Spiri's life story is interesting, it is the food element that really made the book. Her descriptions of her Mother,her Grandmother and her Aunt's food, and the recipes included alongside are wonderful. Mouth watering and oh so familiar. I think that I've tasted most of the dishes that she describes and the craving for proper Greek tomatoes; red and lucious and juicy was absolute torture to me. I could almost smell the lamb on the spit, the souvlaki and the herbs, and I was dreaming about the sweet honey dripping cakes and pastries.
Afternoons In Ithaka is a fabulous read, even if you've never been to Greece you will still love this one. Food and culture, mixed with current affairs and language and music - a winning combination. I enjoyed every page.
Spiri Tsintziras grew up in Australia, her parents emigrated from Greece and made their home thousands of miles away. Despite this, her childhood and her upbringing was Greek - her Mother speaks very little English, her Father is traditionally over-protective, and she was surrounded by members of her extended family and natives of Greece.
Afternoons In Ithaka is a pure delight to read. Set out as part memoir, part recipe book and part history, it is quite unusual, but makes a change from other books in the same genre. Spiri is a talented author, she writes with ease and becomes something of a friend to the reader. This is her coming-of-age story and she hides nothing. The reader accompanies her as she rebels against her overbearing father, as she discovers men, as she flits from place to place. She often disappoints her family, they would have liked nothing better than for Spiri to settle down with a nice Greek boy whilst she was still very young. Instead, Spiri led her own life, she was determined to see things and do things, and although, in the end, she did conform (well, almost - her husband is Maltese, not Greek!), she had many adventures over the years.
Whilst Spiri's life story is interesting, it is the food element that really made the book. Her descriptions of her Mother,her Grandmother and her Aunt's food, and the recipes included alongside are wonderful. Mouth watering and oh so familiar. I think that I've tasted most of the dishes that she describes and the craving for proper Greek tomatoes; red and lucious and juicy was absolute torture to me. I could almost smell the lamb on the spit, the souvlaki and the herbs, and I was dreaming about the sweet honey dripping cakes and pastries.
Afternoons In Ithaka is a fabulous read, even if you've never been to Greece you will still love this one. Food and culture, mixed with current affairs and language and music - a winning combination. I enjoyed every page.
August 3, 2022
I am a sucker for stories that combine family with food and recipes. That’s why “Afternoons in Ithaka” by Spiri Tsintziras beckoned me with both arms.
This charming, languid memoir covers the entire span from Tsintziras’ childhood growing up in Australia, spending vacations in her native Greece, all the way up to her adulthood and marriage.
Tsintziras explores family and relationship dynamics, nuances and traditions that make cultures different, the unspoken messages families exchange, and her own struggles with her family as she tries to break away from them to discover her individual self. Her family is conventional and she is not, which leads to many clashes, guilt trips, and disappointments. Her family is important to her but so is the path she chose, and Tsintziras brings out the conflict she experiences extremely well.
She also voices her own internal confusions as she tries to find her footing in the world, form an identity of her own.
“And I want to know where I belong. Am I Australian? Am I Greek? I feel that I exist in no-man’s land – somewhere in the middle, with one foot in each camp. I want out, but I have no idea what I want into.”
There’s also a lot of tender and sweet moments too that she intersperses deftly, all of which shows the composite, true-to-life picture of a family.
And all of these themes come together in one – food.
“We cut the vasilopita, the New Year’s cake… There’s a coin baked into the bottom; whoever gets it will have luck for the rest of the year.”
“Pastelli are often brought back to Australia as a gift by relatives visiting Greece. Zevgolatio, in the south of Greece, is famous for them; they are often sold at train and bus stations as a snack for travellers.”
In this way, we get a peek into the Greek way of life, their habits, customs, and lot of other things through food. Followed by mouth-watering recipes.
I just found the title misleading because Tsintziras spends her life in Australia and Greece is a place she visits. But at the same time, there’s no lack of a Greek setting or atmosphere despite the geographical location being Australia.
This book is a shoo-in for a 5 star rating. If you, like me, drool over food, enjoy discovering cultures, and like kitchen-table conversations, then this one’s for you.
This charming, languid memoir covers the entire span from Tsintziras’ childhood growing up in Australia, spending vacations in her native Greece, all the way up to her adulthood and marriage.
Tsintziras explores family and relationship dynamics, nuances and traditions that make cultures different, the unspoken messages families exchange, and her own struggles with her family as she tries to break away from them to discover her individual self. Her family is conventional and she is not, which leads to many clashes, guilt trips, and disappointments. Her family is important to her but so is the path she chose, and Tsintziras brings out the conflict she experiences extremely well.
She also voices her own internal confusions as she tries to find her footing in the world, form an identity of her own.
“And I want to know where I belong. Am I Australian? Am I Greek? I feel that I exist in no-man’s land – somewhere in the middle, with one foot in each camp. I want out, but I have no idea what I want into.”
There’s also a lot of tender and sweet moments too that she intersperses deftly, all of which shows the composite, true-to-life picture of a family.
And all of these themes come together in one – food.
“We cut the vasilopita, the New Year’s cake… There’s a coin baked into the bottom; whoever gets it will have luck for the rest of the year.”
“Pastelli are often brought back to Australia as a gift by relatives visiting Greece. Zevgolatio, in the south of Greece, is famous for them; they are often sold at train and bus stations as a snack for travellers.”
In this way, we get a peek into the Greek way of life, their habits, customs, and lot of other things through food. Followed by mouth-watering recipes.
I just found the title misleading because Tsintziras spends her life in Australia and Greece is a place she visits. But at the same time, there’s no lack of a Greek setting or atmosphere despite the geographical location being Australia.
This book is a shoo-in for a 5 star rating. If you, like me, drool over food, enjoy discovering cultures, and like kitchen-table conversations, then this one’s for you.
February 20, 2014
I have to thank the author for collecting, within the pages of this memoir, a set of recipes and quotes that capture my Greek childhood. I also really like the sprinkling of photographs throughout. As for the memoir itself, it is nicely written and flows along from village life in Greece to inner city Melbourne. The author's life story is similar to my own, and so there was a lot to like and enjoy; but I think it would appeal to anyone who has roots outside of their current home. Recommended.
April 8, 2014
A memoir of Greece and Australia and finding oneself. This book will hook you in from the opening lines and you will not be able to let go, until you have finished it in one sitting. If you love family, food, the bittersweet experiences life throws at you, and heady doses of spirituality (aka Greek coffee cup readings and the evil eye), then.....read.
April 19, 2014
A thought provoking memoir that I couldn't put down. It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me want to be a part of Spiri's wonderful Greek family and it made my mouth water. Beautiful, delightful and unforgettable.
July 9, 2015
A good little memoir about growing up Greek in Australia. I can relate because it reminds me of my mum
January 6, 2017
Half Greek memoir, half Greek cookbook.
Only a small part related to Ithaca, mostly set in Melbourne over about 40 years as Spiri grows up, and some parts overseas as she travels to Greece and other countries in the process of finding herself and freeing herself from her strict upbringing by her father.
Her dad sounds like a bit of an arsehole, like he would never be happy - seeing the comments made by him on Spiri's wedding day in particular. I can see how Spiri felt trapped for all those years under his judgement and power. I feel a little as though I take my freedom for granted, but also feel sad for her that she didn't feel free for so long.
The book spans a lengthy time period - when reading about Spiri's early childhood, I didn't realise that the book would end about 40 years later! It covers an enormous amount of content in that time, and is a truly rich portrayal of Greek culture, particularly Greek culture transplanted to Melbourne.
With some memoirs, they read as if the book portrays only a fraction of the writer's life. In this memoir, I felt that Spiri's whole life and transformation was here. Because so much was included, sometimes it felt like there were parts that seemed disjointed or like they could have formed their own book independently, such as the parts about Spiri's ill friend Katerina.
Overall this was a highly detailed collection of memories infused with Spiri's culture, which is so important to her identity.
Only a small part related to Ithaca, mostly set in Melbourne over about 40 years as Spiri grows up, and some parts overseas as she travels to Greece and other countries in the process of finding herself and freeing herself from her strict upbringing by her father.
Her dad sounds like a bit of an arsehole, like he would never be happy - seeing the comments made by him on Spiri's wedding day in particular. I can see how Spiri felt trapped for all those years under his judgement and power. I feel a little as though I take my freedom for granted, but also feel sad for her that she didn't feel free for so long.
The book spans a lengthy time period - when reading about Spiri's early childhood, I didn't realise that the book would end about 40 years later! It covers an enormous amount of content in that time, and is a truly rich portrayal of Greek culture, particularly Greek culture transplanted to Melbourne.
With some memoirs, they read as if the book portrays only a fraction of the writer's life. In this memoir, I felt that Spiri's whole life and transformation was here. Because so much was included, sometimes it felt like there were parts that seemed disjointed or like they could have formed their own book independently, such as the parts about Spiri's ill friend Katerina.
Overall this was a highly detailed collection of memories infused with Spiri's culture, which is so important to her identity.
October 8, 2014
This is a story of a young girl resolutely setting out to find herself and her future, but instead coming to appreciate the past and her place in it. That maybe the ties we so try to break in our youth are the ones we’ll then frantically try to recreate in adulthood....http://atnumber11.wordpress.com/2014/...
September 7, 2015
Charming, easy read- a memoir interspersed with authentic Greek recipes. The title is slightly mis-leading as the setting is Australia and Greece as the writer travels through the story of her life. If you like Greek culture and food you will enjoy this book. I read it whilst on holiday in Kefalonia- perfect!
July 16, 2016
Didn't expect the book to be that good. I bought this book because I was just curios about Greek culture and their food. But after reading, I really love Spiri Tsintziras' book. It was fun and opened my eyes about Greek culture at the same time. By the way, I tried to make the first recipe as it seemed the easiest one. And it tasted good!
May 30, 2017
I'm enjoying this book so much, I think I'll buy myself a copy - I reckon it's a keeper. A lovely treat of a book written with a warmth that reflects the culture, food, emotion, the personal journey of a writer who welcomes you, feeds you and connects you into a world of family.
October 30, 2018
A culturally enriched book with some amazing recipes. A story about finding one’s self, strong family roots and how food is the key factor that ties it all together. I have already tried out a couple of the recipes and will absolutely be revisiting this book again and again.
May 8, 2015
I've always been fascinated by Greece so this memoir/travelogue/cookbook attracted my attention and did not disappoint. Very enjoyable
December 2, 2021
This wasn't quite the memoir I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it well enough. I read it for Greece and for the food, and while I got a lot of the latter, I would have liked a little more time in Greece overall. My favourite parts where when Spiri visited her relatives in Greece - from the humble, rural villages of the Peloponnese, to the modern suburban sprawl of the capital. Each chapter ends with a detailed recipe, or notes about things like foraging for wild greens.
February 5, 2022
Lifeline of Spirithoula, a little Greek girl, her homelife and travels back to Greece and Greek neighborhoods in Australia. Wonderful descriptions of family, FOOD, and the beauty of natural and rustic Greece.
September 23, 2021
Lovely virtual visit to relatives! Loved the recipes as well.
July 28, 2022
Charming
April 6, 2014
Loved this book and read it in just over 24 hours! It brought back memories of Greek friends over the years, the richness of the culture, family and food! Will be trying some of the recipes as well first on the list spanakopita and maybe the scones! Thank you Spiri for a delightful journey!
March 20, 2016
Loved this book. Beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews