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The Parthenon Paradox: Rivers of Redemption
Winner of the Global book awards. Gold medal.
After years of dreaming, Peter and his fiery Greek wife Alex settle in a sun-drenched village hoping for paradise. But paradise comes at a price when a devastating flood obliterates everything they’ve built. As they contend with mud, chaos, and legal nightmares instigated by a spiteful neighbour, their village’s true character emerges, in moments of absurdity, kindness, and deep community bonds. The Parthenon Paradox is a memoir that weaves humour, heartbreak, and hope into a story about what it means to rebuild not only a home, but trust, and choosing whether to fight or to forgive.
After years of dreaming, Peter and his fiery Greek wife Alex settle in a sun-drenched village hoping for paradise. But paradise comes at a price when a devastating flood obliterates everything they’ve built. As they contend with mud, chaos, and legal nightmares instigated by a spiteful neighbour, their village’s true character emerges, in moments of absurdity, kindness, and deep community bonds. The Parthenon Paradox is a memoir that weaves humour, heartbreak, and hope into a story about what it means to rebuild not only a home, but trust, and choosing whether to fight or to forgive.
- GenresMemoir
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2025
36 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Peter Barber
43 books26 followersPeter 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 12, 2025
What a powerful and moving memoir this is. Woven through it is a love story, that of Peter and his beloved wife Alex. It's also about the love of Greece and of the couple's beautiful home which they worked doggedly to build on the Island of Evia. It was their little bit of paradise. However, in doing so ,unwittingly, they they had made an enemy.
However, it's not always wall to wall sunshine and good weather in Greece and after one dreadful storm their home and garden were badly flooded, which was a devastating blow. My heart went out to them as they faced this calamity with courage to rebuild and repair their home. A second fearsome storm caused even more flooding and damage as a river changed course and this time their home was in its path. I am in awe of their resilience as they were blamed for causing the flood by the enemy. I could hardly believe the lengths they had to go to to prove their innocence! It was simply incredible.
The islanders and villagers pulled together to offer each other help. Peter's descriptions of the aftermath are so vivid. What a skilled writer he is. There are moments of humour too as they strive to restore their beautiful home and garden. I stll have a vision of Alex driving a bulldozer!
What a capacity Peter and Alex have for forgiveness. Their choice was not to take revenge on the enemy who had been so full of spite she had caused so much trouble for them and for other villagers. A truly kind and compassionate gesture. You really could hardly make it up! I wish Peter and Alex many years of happiness in their home in Evia. Yamas.
However, it's not always wall to wall sunshine and good weather in Greece and after one dreadful storm their home and garden were badly flooded, which was a devastating blow. My heart went out to them as they faced this calamity with courage to rebuild and repair their home. A second fearsome storm caused even more flooding and damage as a river changed course and this time their home was in its path. I am in awe of their resilience as they were blamed for causing the flood by the enemy. I could hardly believe the lengths they had to go to to prove their innocence! It was simply incredible.
The islanders and villagers pulled together to offer each other help. Peter's descriptions of the aftermath are so vivid. What a skilled writer he is. There are moments of humour too as they strive to restore their beautiful home and garden. I stll have a vision of Alex driving a bulldozer!
What a capacity Peter and Alex have for forgiveness. Their choice was not to take revenge on the enemy who had been so full of spite she had caused so much trouble for them and for other villagers. A truly kind and compassionate gesture. You really could hardly make it up! I wish Peter and Alex many years of happiness in their home in Evia. Yamas.
January 23, 2025
This was the book Peter HAD to write. A few days after the launch party for A Parthenon in Pefki, the village was hit by a storm of biblical proportions. The damage was unbelievable, and Peter and Alex feared they had lost their beautiful home.
This is a story of wickedness, pure generosity, and love. But it's not a fairytale. (Although a wicked witch and some good fairies are involved). It's all unbelievably true. Battling Greek bureaucracy is not for the faint-hearted, and Alex and Peter have a real fight on their hands. But through everything, their humor, faith, and above all, their love for each other shines out like a beacon. And the sense of community and their love for their Greek village is real. I loved this book. Really, really, loved it. Peter's words got into my mind and my heart. It's a very powerful book, and is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I honestly think this is the best thing Peter has written.
This is a story of wickedness, pure generosity, and love. But it's not a fairytale. (Although a wicked witch and some good fairies are involved). It's all unbelievably true. Battling Greek bureaucracy is not for the faint-hearted, and Alex and Peter have a real fight on their hands. But through everything, their humor, faith, and above all, their love for each other shines out like a beacon. And the sense of community and their love for their Greek village is real. I loved this book. Really, really, loved it. Peter's words got into my mind and my heart. It's a very powerful book, and is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I honestly think this is the best thing Peter has written.
July 25, 2025
A lyrical tale of how love and resilience rewrite a modern Greek tragedy
A beautifully written, quietly powerful memoir set in modern Greece. This is a love story in every sense – between two people, and between a man and a country he learns to call home. Barber’s writing is rich and immersive, full of sun-soaked landscapes and emotional depth.
This is the first of Peter Barber’s Greek memoirs I’ve read – and, true to form, I’ve started out of order with Book 3. But if there's one thing this fascinating book teaches, it's that life doesn’t always unfold neatly. Sometimes, like Peter shedding his British reserve for the passionate unpredictability of Greece, you just have to dive in. This book works as a standalone tale, but it has whetted my appetite, and I definitely want to read more!
At its heart, The Parthenon Paradox is a love story – first and foremost between Peter and his fiery, generous, and captivating Greek wife, Alex. The story of how they met is almost mythic: a teenage infatuation, a mysterious beauty, and how an act of kindness led to an extraordinary twist of fate that finally brought them together.
But beyond the romance lies a deeper tale of endurance. What begins as a teenage infatuation evolves into a lifelong partnership tested by heartbreak, vendetta, and the grinding reality of crushed dreams. Where most would break or seek revenge, Peter and Alex choose warmth, humour, and forgiveness – and in doing so, change not just their own lives, but those around them. Their grace under fire is a masterclass in quiet courage.
As well as being a moving personal story, the book offers a heartfelt glimpse into Greek culture, community, and the fierce, complicated love of Greek family life.
Barber writes with such evocative detail that you feel the heat of the sun, hear the cicadas, and taste the dust. His prose laps at the senses like the sapphire waters he describes, transporting the reader into a land where ancient myths merge into modern lives.
Yes, this is a story of dreams dashed – but also of better dreams discovered. It's a reminder that the phoenix can only rise from ashes, and that redemption comes not from pursuing revenge, but from radical acts of kindness.
The Parthenon Paradox is deeply moving, quietly funny, and ultimately uplifting – a testament to love that endures, and to the unexpected beauty that can grow from life’s most challenging moments.
Perfect for anyone who loves heartfelt travel memoirs with a strong emotional core, set against a backdrop of sun, sea, and soul.
A beautifully written, quietly powerful memoir set in modern Greece. This is a love story in every sense – between two people, and between a man and a country he learns to call home. Barber’s writing is rich and immersive, full of sun-soaked landscapes and emotional depth.
This is the first of Peter Barber’s Greek memoirs I’ve read – and, true to form, I’ve started out of order with Book 3. But if there's one thing this fascinating book teaches, it's that life doesn’t always unfold neatly. Sometimes, like Peter shedding his British reserve for the passionate unpredictability of Greece, you just have to dive in. This book works as a standalone tale, but it has whetted my appetite, and I definitely want to read more!
At its heart, The Parthenon Paradox is a love story – first and foremost between Peter and his fiery, generous, and captivating Greek wife, Alex. The story of how they met is almost mythic: a teenage infatuation, a mysterious beauty, and how an act of kindness led to an extraordinary twist of fate that finally brought them together.
But beyond the romance lies a deeper tale of endurance. What begins as a teenage infatuation evolves into a lifelong partnership tested by heartbreak, vendetta, and the grinding reality of crushed dreams. Where most would break or seek revenge, Peter and Alex choose warmth, humour, and forgiveness – and in doing so, change not just their own lives, but those around them. Their grace under fire is a masterclass in quiet courage.
As well as being a moving personal story, the book offers a heartfelt glimpse into Greek culture, community, and the fierce, complicated love of Greek family life.
Barber writes with such evocative detail that you feel the heat of the sun, hear the cicadas, and taste the dust. His prose laps at the senses like the sapphire waters he describes, transporting the reader into a land where ancient myths merge into modern lives.
Yes, this is a story of dreams dashed – but also of better dreams discovered. It's a reminder that the phoenix can only rise from ashes, and that redemption comes not from pursuing revenge, but from radical acts of kindness.
The Parthenon Paradox is deeply moving, quietly funny, and ultimately uplifting – a testament to love that endures, and to the unexpected beauty that can grow from life’s most challenging moments.
Perfect for anyone who loves heartfelt travel memoirs with a strong emotional core, set against a backdrop of sun, sea, and soul.
March 31, 2025
Whilst immersing the reader in Greece this book carries a general message for all readers.
This amazing and beautifully written memoir is a true account of what becomes a vendetta arising during a traumatic flood disaster overwhelming the British author and his Greek wife, who were at their wit’s end before they were spitefully targeted by a local villager. The couple’s masterful response to the unrelenting pressures heaped upon them - at one point it feels as these bullets are being fired from every direction, the storms, the floods, the authorities, the police even other villagers gives an insight into human tolerance and the huge strength of character shown by the innocent couple, who do rise again from the raging and muddy waters to revive their treasured seaside home against all the odds. Throughout it all the unique beauty and character of Greece and the Greeks shines through whilst highlighting the joys and pitfalls of building a home in Greece. I felt I was there at every amazing taverna meal, in wellies squelching through the mud, sitting in the sunshine sipping coffee or an ouzo and really able to visualise the village and its environment.
Reading this account some might be tempted to say you couldn’t make it up but the Greek paradise’s restoration is in no small part due to the kindness of friends, neighbours and villagers who demonstrate the age old tradition of filoxenia, befriending and caring for the comers in who made their home in this quiet area of Northern Evia.
The book is adventure, thriller, even romance, a family story which can move one to tears, but above all is the ability to see beyond which fully endorses this writer’s skill with words.
This amazing and beautifully written memoir is a true account of what becomes a vendetta arising during a traumatic flood disaster overwhelming the British author and his Greek wife, who were at their wit’s end before they were spitefully targeted by a local villager. The couple’s masterful response to the unrelenting pressures heaped upon them - at one point it feels as these bullets are being fired from every direction, the storms, the floods, the authorities, the police even other villagers gives an insight into human tolerance and the huge strength of character shown by the innocent couple, who do rise again from the raging and muddy waters to revive their treasured seaside home against all the odds. Throughout it all the unique beauty and character of Greece and the Greeks shines through whilst highlighting the joys and pitfalls of building a home in Greece. I felt I was there at every amazing taverna meal, in wellies squelching through the mud, sitting in the sunshine sipping coffee or an ouzo and really able to visualise the village and its environment.
Reading this account some might be tempted to say you couldn’t make it up but the Greek paradise’s restoration is in no small part due to the kindness of friends, neighbours and villagers who demonstrate the age old tradition of filoxenia, befriending and caring for the comers in who made their home in this quiet area of Northern Evia.
The book is adventure, thriller, even romance, a family story which can move one to tears, but above all is the ability to see beyond which fully endorses this writer’s skill with words.
March 24, 2025
What a powerful memoir, the best book in the series.
After the humour in the first two books in the series, now disaster strikes. Will their life in Greece ever return to normal again?
I can highly recommend the whole series-but if you haven't already read the previous two books, he keeps you up to date with some of the happenings in those-or it's good for a memory jog if some time has passed since you read the other books.
Peter and his wife Alex-theirs is a magical love story: Meeting at just 16 and 15, then not seeing each other for a long time, until a chance meeting again years later. Meant to be.
The book is quick, easy reading, and so well-told. There's been lots of humour in the first two books-but now they have some harder times to face. This was edge of your seat reading, with terrifying circumstances, and so many difficulties they came up against, trying to protect their property.
It really is an excellent book. There's so much in it; so many hurdles they have to overcome. What a powerful memoir, for me, the best in this series.
An absolutely cracking read.
After the humour in the first two books in the series, now disaster strikes. Will their life in Greece ever return to normal again?
I can highly recommend the whole series-but if you haven't already read the previous two books, he keeps you up to date with some of the happenings in those-or it's good for a memory jog if some time has passed since you read the other books.
Peter and his wife Alex-theirs is a magical love story: Meeting at just 16 and 15, then not seeing each other for a long time, until a chance meeting again years later. Meant to be.
The book is quick, easy reading, and so well-told. There's been lots of humour in the first two books-but now they have some harder times to face. This was edge of your seat reading, with terrifying circumstances, and so many difficulties they came up against, trying to protect their property.
It really is an excellent book. There's so much in it; so many hurdles they have to overcome. What a powerful memoir, for me, the best in this series.
An absolutely cracking read.
July 14, 2025
Peter Barber has done it again. Although I’d read excerpts from this book previously, it was great to read the whole story of the catastrophic events in their Greek village in context. Peter and his wife, Alex, have a wonderful partnership, and I found the way they worked together to overcome not just one but numerous extremely challenging situations extremely inspiring and touching. Peter Barber’s writing is vivid and heartfelt; he describes the locals, the scenery and the emotions Greece and its people evoke with great skill. I also enjoyed meeting all the characters from the previous books again and I do hope all is now well and harmonious in their Greek idyll. Highly recommended!
March 30, 2025
Peter Barber's The Parthenon Paradox is very descriptive and thoroughly enjoyable while revisting Greece with him and his wife, Alex. In this third book, they weather both the storms of life and the actual weather patterns which wreak havoc on their lovely home. As he said, this one reads like a thriller, a mystery and a narrative all in one as the reader scrolls quickly forward to see how the drama will end. Thankfully, it does!
March 24, 2025
Peter’s books pull you in and his writing describes Greek life perfectly. This book was fraught with unbelievably testing situations but Peter & Alex endure them with their usual patience & style (not sure how as I’d have lost it!). Loved reading all 3 in the series but this was my favorite so far.
May 11, 2025
This latest book by Peter Barber is his best yet. The story line is captivating and the suspense is designed to keep you from putting down the book. My heart is full and I heartily recommend this book. A dramatic true story with a surprise ending.
July 20, 2025
Enjoyed catching up with Peter and his wife Alex. Never a dull moment! Its not all sun, sea and ouzo/Tsikoudia no sir’ee.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews