Stealing Dad

by Sofka Zinovieff

'Funny, sad and beautifully written' Telegraph
'I was completely absorbed from the beginning' Mary Portas
'A brilliant depiction of a complex sprawling family with a charismatic lovable rogue at its centre. It is both tragic and funny, but ultimately heartwarming' Lily Dunn

What do you do when you're not allowed to attend your father's funeral?

This is the question facing Alekos's far-flung children from many marriages when the successful, if controversial, Greek sculptor dies in London. His last wife and now widow is determined that they stay away, but for the first time, all the sisters and brothers meet up and plan to take matters into their own hands.

Wonderfully written and sharply funny, Stealing Dad tells the unlikely story of a dysfunctional family coming together in tragic yet hilarious ways, from acclaimed author of Putney, Sofka Zinovieff.

Genres: Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

About the author

Sofka Zinovieff was born in London and was educated at Cambridge. She has worked as a freelance journalist and lived in Moscow and Rome before settling in Athens with her Greek husband and their two daughters in 2001.

Her book, Red Princess: A Revolutionary Life has been translated into ten languages and she is the author of Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens.

Reviews

[Sherri Moshman-Paganos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read and certainly an imaginative premise, “stealing” the father’s corpse from the disparate six siblings to give him a proper burial (actually cremation.) I enjoyed the family dynamics, the stepbrothers and sisters getting to know each other for the first time, the well developed characters, especially impulsive artist Iris, following in her father’s footsteps, contrasted with Dora, the level headed practical older sister. It’s mostly through Iris’ point of view that we get the story. There’s a clear message about “closure” — regarding a death and importance of family at times like this. Alekos the father we learn about from others of course, see him in some scenes, he comes across as a boisterous Zorba like character. The only fault is that at times, especially near the end, there was a little too much telling.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing Dad" is pretty much what the blurb states, what would happen if an extended group of half siblings stole their Dad's corpse?

I can't quite remember if I ever managed to read any of Sofka Zinovieff’s non- fiction books but I have wanted to since I read "The House on Paradise Street" and "Putney" was one of my standout books of 2020 . I had high hopes for "Stealing Dad" , whilst hoping it didn't take me to quite the dark places that "Putney" did and it absolutely did not disappoint.

I have lived in Greece and Dora and Iris's reaction to their father dying felt completely authentic. As did the complicated relationships of the siblings. There was a perfect balance of light and shade, the events that led up to the final resolution could be described as a caper , but it was never completely ridiculous.

This was like most of Zinovieff's books inspired by her life so it's always going to come across as true, what is striking though is there is also no rancour. Add this to your summer readlist.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An over-powering Greek dad, various children and a death. I did have to do a double take as I thought I had read this beforehand - but there is a similar set up in Rachel Joyce's new book The Homemade God. But not to worry as this tale has it's own cast of characters; siblings, half siblings, step mothers, mothers, husbands and of course, the Dad.

There is humour and desperation as the family balances their needs with the apparent last wishes of their father and the grief stricken step mother. A wild caper ensues - a jolly good read.

[Neil Challis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conceptual artist Alekos has died,he had been married 6 times and has 8 children ,2 from other relationships.Last wife Heather has refused to let any body else attending his funeral, his ashes were to be put in one of his installations in their garden.His eldest decided that this wasn't good enough as they all wanted to mourn him and say goodbye.But a plan would be hatched to involve all siblings who are scattered all over the world.

It seemed unlikely to happen, but you never know. Easy to read,funny moments.

[Irena Karafilly]

Readers of PUTNEY will marvel at Zinovieff's imagination and the broad range of her sympathies. A famous Greek sculptor has died, leaving behind several children who are not allowed to attend their father's funeral. It's astonishing that a father's death can provide amusement but Zinovieff skilfully brings it off. Improbable as the premise sounds, STEALING DAD seems entirely believable and, despite its comic strands, rather heartbreaking.