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Let Me Explain You
Let Me Explain You begins with a letter: Stavros Stavros Mavrakis- Greek immigrant, proud owner of the Gala Diner, having had a premonition of death and believing he has just ten days left to live, sends an email to his estranged ex-wife and three grown daughters in which he lays out his last wishes for each of them. He then sets about preparing for his final hours. With varying degrees of laughter and scorn, his family and friends dismiss his behavior as nothing more than a plea for attention, a mid-life crisis of sorts, but when Stavros disappears without explanation, those closest to him-particularly his eldest daughters Stavroula and Litza- are forced to confront the possibility of his death and the realities of their loss.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2015
45 people are currently reading
2502 people want to read
About the author
Annie Liontas
3 books76 followersAnnie Liontas' debut novel, LET ME EXPLAIN YOU (Scribner) was selected by the ABA as an Indies Introduce 2015. She is the recent recipient of a grant from the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, and her story “Two Planes in Love” was selected as runner-up in BOMB Magazine’s 2013 Fiction Prize Contest. Other stories and poems have appeared in Ninth Letter, Night Train, and Lit. Since 2003, Annie has been dedicated to urban education, working with teachers and youth in Newark and Philadelphia. She co-hosts the TireFire Reading Series and lives with her wife in Philadelphia across the street from the best pizza jawn. Follow her @aliontas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
July 5, 2015
3.5 stars
This is about a Greek family, a bit dysfunctional, a bit off the wall , a bit of a mess really , but it could be any family and they don't have to be Greek. I love the title and that it could mean let me explain it to you or let me explain you. I can almost hear my Italian grandfather in his broken English saying the same thing and more than likely meaning the first .
I didn't love this book at first and there were times when I didn't like these characters very much . Stavros Stavros Mavrakis has a dream and believes he is about to die so he sends emails to his three daughters and his ex-wife with his views on what they should be doing. The narrative alternates between Stavaros and two of his daughters and it is apparent that Stavros is not far from wrong in giving the advice he gives them . Through these narratives and flashbacks we learn about the past in Greece and when they first arrived in America . It becomes a little bit clearer about why things are as they are and why these people are as they are and I no longer really disliked them but felt sorry for them . While at times it was funny , it's actually pretty sad to see just how much they misunderstood each other .
Certainly it's about the immigrant experience and the desire to make a better life for one's family, but life becomes more complicated than making an adjustment to a new country; maybe it was already complicated as life often is . It's a little different than the typical dysfunctional family saga in some ways - a little more quirky maybe ,but worth reading . It's Liontas' first novel and I'd read a second one if she writes it.
Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley .
This is about a Greek family, a bit dysfunctional, a bit off the wall , a bit of a mess really , but it could be any family and they don't have to be Greek. I love the title and that it could mean let me explain it to you or let me explain you. I can almost hear my Italian grandfather in his broken English saying the same thing and more than likely meaning the first .
I didn't love this book at first and there were times when I didn't like these characters very much . Stavros Stavros Mavrakis has a dream and believes he is about to die so he sends emails to his three daughters and his ex-wife with his views on what they should be doing. The narrative alternates between Stavaros and two of his daughters and it is apparent that Stavros is not far from wrong in giving the advice he gives them . Through these narratives and flashbacks we learn about the past in Greece and when they first arrived in America . It becomes a little bit clearer about why things are as they are and why these people are as they are and I no longer really disliked them but felt sorry for them . While at times it was funny , it's actually pretty sad to see just how much they misunderstood each other .
Certainly it's about the immigrant experience and the desire to make a better life for one's family, but life becomes more complicated than making an adjustment to a new country; maybe it was already complicated as life often is . It's a little different than the typical dysfunctional family saga in some ways - a little more quirky maybe ,but worth reading . It's Liontas' first novel and I'd read a second one if she writes it.
Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley .
July 5, 2015
I feel like I just read two books -- one that I found disappointing and one that I quite liked. I really wanted to like Let Me Explain You. It has all the ingredients of the type of book I usually like. Stavros Stavros -- an irascible egotist -- immigrated from Greece to the U.S. with his first wife Dina who was only 16 when they married. They had two young daughters, Stavrousa and Litza, and then Dina who has serious problems left. Stavros got remarried to Carol, and they had Ruby. Stavros manages to open a couple of diners to earn a comfortable living for his family. The book starts 25 years later, when Stavros and Carol have recently separated, and the three daughters have all sorts of issues. And Stavros sends an email to his ex wife and three daughters announcing that he expects to die in 10 days. The first part of the book is then focused on the next few days, primarily in the form of chaotic introspection from the perspective of each of the characters. Then for a long segment, we go back in time and learn far more about Stavros and Dina and their past. Here there is more of an narrative and I didn't find my interest waning as it had in the first part of the book. Then we go back to Stavros' supposed ten last days, and again my interest waned except for the last 2 or 3 pages. The concept is good, but there's something that didn't work for me in the contemporary sections. The characters and their internal thoughts are a bit too messy and they didn't quite gel as real people until the second part. This reaction to the first part of the book might just be me -- and clearly the book was well liked by other GR reviewers. But if it isn't just me, it's too bad because my sense is that Annie Liontas is a talented writer with good ideas and an interesting sensibility. Overall, I would be willing to give her next book a try. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
March 19, 2015
I was laughing hysterically from the start. REALLY -laugh-out-loud-FUNNY!
This is a contemporary story about a Greek immigrant family living in New Jersey.
The 'blurp' gives a clear outline --so I'm going to speak more about my thoughts and feelings. I really loved it!!
I come from a Jewish family, and can relate to the craziness of traditions in cultures. I can relate to simply CRAZY within families!
Annie Liontas does GREEK ---the way Jonathan Tropper does JEWISH! Master comic/tragic writing!
Reasons to read this:
1)Stavros Stavros Mavrakis (I know, a mouthful of a name 'DAD'), has a death dream. A goat is his messenger. I'm still laughing! Come on...Its funny!
2)What 'DAD' writes his 3 daughters and his ex-wife to 'do' since he is going to die in 10 days is worth the entire novel itself.
3)The author nailed a stereotype Greek Male. 'Dad' had told his mother he was sure he could control his wife! The wedding night is pathetically about tradition (again)!
4) We see a little more transformation with the women in this story (living in America) --yet we can feel the struggles for each one of them to own their independence --(guilt -worry -still haunts them from 'DAD'). The female characters are each different & bright & interesting.
5)Food.... You can't have a Greek story without FOOD!!! Its almost a character itself.
Here is a quote to digest:
"Cooking, Marina said, is the thing that has oppressed all Greek women in history of the world who have come before us. You know how long it takes to lay out one sheet of phylo dough, then to brush it with warm butter bath? Do it fifty times, a hundred more times, and all you are is a Greek woman. Feed the family, and and the whole village, too!"
One more:
"Marina started by holding up the heart-shaped kidney, darker red than blood. There was a shallow cut running down the middle.
"Delicious, but Americans don't like it whole, so I sneak it into recipes." (I got a little squeamish thinking about 'kidney' being in a meal I ordered).
I cook most of my own food 'at home'.(We almost never eat in restaurants any longer), but its still fun to read about food and cultures --This book has plenty of knife-cutting-entertainment,and a few other odd recipes for my personal taste. (yet, kept me laughing)
The entire flavor of this story -darkly comic -is much like many families...coming-apart-at-the-seams'! Yet-- you love them!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley --
Many Congrats to the author...(very talented)
This is a contemporary story about a Greek immigrant family living in New Jersey.
The 'blurp' gives a clear outline --so I'm going to speak more about my thoughts and feelings. I really loved it!!
I come from a Jewish family, and can relate to the craziness of traditions in cultures. I can relate to simply CRAZY within families!
Annie Liontas does GREEK ---the way Jonathan Tropper does JEWISH! Master comic/tragic writing!
Reasons to read this:
1)Stavros Stavros Mavrakis (I know, a mouthful of a name 'DAD'), has a death dream. A goat is his messenger. I'm still laughing! Come on...Its funny!
2)What 'DAD' writes his 3 daughters and his ex-wife to 'do' since he is going to die in 10 days is worth the entire novel itself.
3)The author nailed a stereotype Greek Male. 'Dad' had told his mother he was sure he could control his wife! The wedding night is pathetically about tradition (again)!
4) We see a little more transformation with the women in this story (living in America) --yet we can feel the struggles for each one of them to own their independence --(guilt -worry -still haunts them from 'DAD'). The female characters are each different & bright & interesting.
5)Food.... You can't have a Greek story without FOOD!!! Its almost a character itself.
Here is a quote to digest:
"Cooking, Marina said, is the thing that has oppressed all Greek women in history of the world who have come before us. You know how long it takes to lay out one sheet of phylo dough, then to brush it with warm butter bath? Do it fifty times, a hundred more times, and all you are is a Greek woman. Feed the family, and and the whole village, too!"
One more:
"Marina started by holding up the heart-shaped kidney, darker red than blood. There was a shallow cut running down the middle.
"Delicious, but Americans don't like it whole, so I sneak it into recipes." (I got a little squeamish thinking about 'kidney' being in a meal I ordered).
I cook most of my own food 'at home'.(We almost never eat in restaurants any longer), but its still fun to read about food and cultures --This book has plenty of knife-cutting-entertainment,and a few other odd recipes for my personal taste. (yet, kept me laughing)
The entire flavor of this story -darkly comic -is much like many families...coming-apart-at-the-seams'! Yet-- you love them!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley --
Many Congrats to the author...(very talented)
October 11, 2015
“Let Me Explain You” is funny, but it’s so much more. The author, Annie Liontas, uses humor to explore the awkwardness of immigration; the distress of family relationships; the dysfunction of family and friends; and the thorny ways of showing love.
As the book jacket cover states, Stavros Stavros Mavrakis, owner of a Greek diner and a Greek immigrant believes he has ten days to live. The novel begins with a hilarious email sent to the women in his life, detailing what he thinks of them, what they are doing wrong in their lives, and what they should do to correct themselves. As one can imagine, the recipients are not pleased, but the reader is because it is a VERY funny email.
Chapters are dedicated to the main characters. In this way, the reader sees the individual character’s personal view, which is often different from what he/she projects. Starvros (Steve) is particularly acerbic especially in speech, yet he means only love. His daughters hear/feel scorn and don’t understand the underlying intention. Thankfully it’s comic so some of the sadness is couched in ridiculousness. Additionally, Liontas uses food as a way of communication; the feelings the characters have making the food and eating the food conveys emotion more than words.
It’s a wonderful read of a family of assimilated Greeks, who find their way in a new country, with crazy friends and relatives together. I highly recommend it.
As the book jacket cover states, Stavros Stavros Mavrakis, owner of a Greek diner and a Greek immigrant believes he has ten days to live. The novel begins with a hilarious email sent to the women in his life, detailing what he thinks of them, what they are doing wrong in their lives, and what they should do to correct themselves. As one can imagine, the recipients are not pleased, but the reader is because it is a VERY funny email.
Chapters are dedicated to the main characters. In this way, the reader sees the individual character’s personal view, which is often different from what he/she projects. Starvros (Steve) is particularly acerbic especially in speech, yet he means only love. His daughters hear/feel scorn and don’t understand the underlying intention. Thankfully it’s comic so some of the sadness is couched in ridiculousness. Additionally, Liontas uses food as a way of communication; the feelings the characters have making the food and eating the food conveys emotion more than words.
It’s a wonderful read of a family of assimilated Greeks, who find their way in a new country, with crazy friends and relatives together. I highly recommend it.
February 22, 2016
This fine first novel by Annie Liontas begins with an email sent by its central character, Stavros Stavros “Steve” Mavrakis, to his three daughters and second ex-wife. In it he announces that he will be dying in ten days; this is proven because he has had a dream of death and the next day a goat (the goat of death) arrives at the diner he owns. This email establishes Stravros’s voice and his anguished views of all the women in his life. And it is also very funny. The voice is of a man who is totally convinced that he knows best and cannot understand why all the women in his life do not appreciate that fact. His descriptions of his daughters show his despair; his eldest is a lesbian; his second is self-destructive and extremely angry; his third (and favored) child is gold, except she’s chosen a weak man to marry; and his wife has left him for reasons the readers can already imagine but Stavros cannot begin to understand.
After this comical beginning Liontas moves away from the email format. The rest of the book is divided into ten sections, one for each of the ten days remaining to him. Each day is given a number and a “stage name” from Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief. (Those stages are out of Kubler-Ross’s order.) Inside these day sections, Liontas also uses chapters. At the same time, the book is divided into three sections. Why have sections when there are already ten Days and 29 chapters and an epilogue? Part I stays pretty much in the present, while Part II fills in the past history of Stavros and his two wives in Greece and in their early days in the USA. Part III shifts in a different direction as it is devoted to Marina, Stavros’s chief cook in his diner. Here we get a view of Stavros from the person who perhaps knew him best and longest. Their conversations enlighten us. Greatly.
While this book starts out in a very humorous vein (much of Part I is quite funny, mainly because of Stavros’s lack of self-knowledge), it grows as it goes. We see more and more into all the characters, especially into Stavros’s, and as we do, our hearts expand. As in real life, laughter alone is an inadequate response to all that makes up a person or a situation. And as Liontas moves through this novel, she brings us to a deeper understanding of the characters, of the Greece they emigrated from and the United States they emigrated to. As much as I enjoy humor in a novel (indeed in this novel), I am so glad Liontas did not try to keep us laughing all the way through. Her mastery of prose style and ability to create a consistent voice for her main character is impressive. I remember that I became more and more engaged the more I read, more engaged as Liontas moved away from humor and looked deeper into all her characters and their situation. I wish her the strength to write more novels in the future. She can count on me as a reader if she does.
After this comical beginning Liontas moves away from the email format. The rest of the book is divided into ten sections, one for each of the ten days remaining to him. Each day is given a number and a “stage name” from Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief. (Those stages are out of Kubler-Ross’s order.) Inside these day sections, Liontas also uses chapters. At the same time, the book is divided into three sections. Why have sections when there are already ten Days and 29 chapters and an epilogue? Part I stays pretty much in the present, while Part II fills in the past history of Stavros and his two wives in Greece and in their early days in the USA. Part III shifts in a different direction as it is devoted to Marina, Stavros’s chief cook in his diner. Here we get a view of Stavros from the person who perhaps knew him best and longest. Their conversations enlighten us. Greatly.
While this book starts out in a very humorous vein (much of Part I is quite funny, mainly because of Stavros’s lack of self-knowledge), it grows as it goes. We see more and more into all the characters, especially into Stavros’s, and as we do, our hearts expand. As in real life, laughter alone is an inadequate response to all that makes up a person or a situation. And as Liontas moves through this novel, she brings us to a deeper understanding of the characters, of the Greece they emigrated from and the United States they emigrated to. As much as I enjoy humor in a novel (indeed in this novel), I am so glad Liontas did not try to keep us laughing all the way through. Her mastery of prose style and ability to create a consistent voice for her main character is impressive. I remember that I became more and more engaged the more I read, more engaged as Liontas moved away from humor and looked deeper into all her characters and their situation. I wish her the strength to write more novels in the future. She can count on me as a reader if she does.
May 18, 2015
For a first novel, this is a darned good one. And yet, we almost got off on the wrong foot. The first chapter, the email that the father sends to his three daughters and ex-wife, it almost put me off. It seemed a little too much like the introduction to Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything Is Illuminated, in which it's one long joke about how the narrator doesn't speak English very well. But where Foer's was something like 40 damned pages long and caused me to abandon the book, this was only a couple of pages, and so I stuck with it.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
July 25, 2015
I laughed really hard at some things in the beginning... Things Stavros said ..especially the multiple "let me explain you" could apply to my German immigrant Grandpa...he messed up a lot in speaking English... Lol
most of the rest of the story just didn't interest me... I kept putting the book down...took me a long time to read it.
most of the rest of the story just didn't interest me... I kept putting the book down...took me a long time to read it.
July 14, 2015
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
**I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you go "ok". This was one of those books for me. It made me think, it made me question and it made me ponder. These are all things that I do when I really like a book.
I'm not going to re-tell the story but instead I will try to describe some of the things I felt as I read it. The synopsis gives a good general idea of what the story is about.
First I have to begin by saying that some of the characters are not very likeable. In fact, from the very beginning it is very easy to hate Stavros Stavros Mavrakis and his daughters. As the story progressed I wouldn't say that I liked the characters any better but I did get a better understanding for them and where they were coming from. There were cultural and language barriers as well as an extreme amount of pride and stubbornness that shaped the people and plot of this story. It was about family, loyalty and misunderstandings and it made for some very interesting reading.
The story began in the present with the email but went back to before Stavros came to America. As is the case with most books, I found myself drawn to the past story a little more than the present one. It was not the fastest moving story but an extremely thought provoking one in my opinion. It will definitely stick with me for some time to come.
I thought that the writing was very well done and I even found myself reading parts of it with a Greek accent. The story was engaging and unique. This was the first novel for Annie Liontas but I don't think it will be her last. I would definitely read another book by this author and hope that I get the opportunity to. I really enjoyed it.
**I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you go "ok". This was one of those books for me. It made me think, it made me question and it made me ponder. These are all things that I do when I really like a book.
I'm not going to re-tell the story but instead I will try to describe some of the things I felt as I read it. The synopsis gives a good general idea of what the story is about.
First I have to begin by saying that some of the characters are not very likeable. In fact, from the very beginning it is very easy to hate Stavros Stavros Mavrakis and his daughters. As the story progressed I wouldn't say that I liked the characters any better but I did get a better understanding for them and where they were coming from. There were cultural and language barriers as well as an extreme amount of pride and stubbornness that shaped the people and plot of this story. It was about family, loyalty and misunderstandings and it made for some very interesting reading.
The story began in the present with the email but went back to before Stavros came to America. As is the case with most books, I found myself drawn to the past story a little more than the present one. It was not the fastest moving story but an extremely thought provoking one in my opinion. It will definitely stick with me for some time to come.
I thought that the writing was very well done and I even found myself reading parts of it with a Greek accent. The story was engaging and unique. This was the first novel for Annie Liontas but I don't think it will be her last. I would definitely read another book by this author and hope that I get the opportunity to. I really enjoyed it.
September 3, 2015
As an immigrant, I understood parts of the characters in a deeply personal way. I could understand Stavros's drive, his relentlessness, and his inability to (often?) process the feelings and limitations of those around him. It was like that in the house where I grew up, with a patriarch of my own. His word was last. His vision the truest, most apt.
Oh, Annie, how did you get so much of it so right?
I read this book, and then I re-read scenes and chapters.
I love this book and I want you to love it, too. Here are some reasons I love it:
- "I ate the whole world to find you."
- "They had been doomed from the start. It had always been Stavroula's task to carry her sister, but Litza was gallons and gallons of water, and all Stavroula could use was her hands. So she kept losing Litza, kept scooping her up, kept losing. She could cup her hands and hold her close, but what good would that do? She could never have carried enough of Litza to make a difference."
- "Writing, it is not satisfying. It does not get close enough to what must be said. / We write one draft that blames You for everything; We write / another draft that saves You of everything. We absolve You, saying to / Ourselves that We do not begrudge You Your Mistakes. / But that is not true, either. / How can We say exactly what We mean? / We say it over and over."
Oh, Annie, how did you get so much of it so right?
I read this book, and then I re-read scenes and chapters.
I love this book and I want you to love it, too. Here are some reasons I love it:
- "I ate the whole world to find you."
- "They had been doomed from the start. It had always been Stavroula's task to carry her sister, but Litza was gallons and gallons of water, and all Stavroula could use was her hands. So she kept losing Litza, kept scooping her up, kept losing. She could cup her hands and hold her close, but what good would that do? She could never have carried enough of Litza to make a difference."
- "Writing, it is not satisfying. It does not get close enough to what must be said. / We write one draft that blames You for everything; We write / another draft that saves You of everything. We absolve You, saying to / Ourselves that We do not begrudge You Your Mistakes. / But that is not true, either. / How can We say exactly what We mean? / We say it over and over."
September 18, 2015
Greek people in New Jersey. Didn't really like a single character and didn't care who died or lived. It was so singularly about being Greek that I know barely anything about these characters, other than they are Greek and have Greek sayings, ways, attitudes and ideas.
I absolutely hate reading about fictional character's dreams and I got tired of reading descriptions of people's trembling cigarettes. I wish there would have been more included about how culturally these immigrants understood America, other than just how their Greek-ness fully formed who they were. it felt like everyone was a stereotype. maybe that was how it was supposed to be. not real people, just symbols for the narrative. I don't really care. i got bored. I didn't like any of the characters and really didn't care one way or another who died or lived.
The part I did like was Dina's struggle when she and Stavros first came to NJ.
I absolutely hate reading about fictional character's dreams and I got tired of reading descriptions of people's trembling cigarettes. I wish there would have been more included about how culturally these immigrants understood America, other than just how their Greek-ness fully formed who they were. it felt like everyone was a stereotype. maybe that was how it was supposed to be. not real people, just symbols for the narrative. I don't really care. i got bored. I didn't like any of the characters and really didn't care one way or another who died or lived.
The part I did like was Dina's struggle when she and Stavros first came to NJ.
July 31, 2015
I started reading this book on the beach and immediately knew it deserved more of my attention than I could give with my toes stuck in the sand. Once home, I couldn't wait to shut out the world and enter into the world of Stavros Stavros. Stavros did not disappoint me. I feel like I know the characters.
What I loved the most was the use of language - - original, interesting, poetic yet succinct. I have so many favorite lines. Usually I extract a few favorites but the asterisks in the margin are many. I never reread fiction (too many other books to read!) but I will break my standing rule for Let Me Explain You.
The best book I have read in a long. long time!.
Write on, Annie! Write on!
What I loved the most was the use of language - - original, interesting, poetic yet succinct. I have so many favorite lines. Usually I extract a few favorites but the asterisks in the margin are many. I never reread fiction (too many other books to read!) but I will break my standing rule for Let Me Explain You.
The best book I have read in a long. long time!.
Write on, Annie! Write on!
July 22, 2015
A deeply moving and wise narrative that tells the story of an immigrant family across generations while touching on universal human experiences of loss, grief, adaptation, and reckoning. Liontas deftly blends prose and poetry to make for a lyrical and stunning read. The most resonant question for me was: to what can we reliably tether ourselves? Our homeland? Our families? Our friends? Our successes? Where do we turn for solace? Each of the characters struggles with these questions while making us laugh, gasp, cry, and crave a delicious meal. Highly recommended.
November 23, 2016
This literally hits the "ok" mark. I didn't hate it, didn't enjoy it. I was expecting funny, crotchety old man and got egomaniac old man with screwed up children. I'm not Greek, but in my opinion, I wouldn't say that this is a commentary of immigrant life like many have claimed.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!
July 15, 2015
“Let Me Explain You” is a difficult book to review. On one hand, the writing is beautiful and tragicomic. On the other, it can be outrageously offensive. I’ve given it four stars, but please be sure to thoroughly read my review and any others you may find to see if it’s a good fit for you.
At its heart, “Let Me Explain You” is a story about the American Dream, reality, and the hot mess that makes up most families, whether we want to admit it or not. It begins with Stavros Stavros Mavrakis (actual name) writing an email to his ex-wife and daughters, announcing that he will be dying in ten days. As the reader will soon come to learn about Mavrakis himself, it is in parts tender, sad, and downright mean. That’s the tone for the entire book.
While parts had me laughing out loud, others made me want to choke Mr. Mavrakis, and some made me want to cry. To me that’s wonderful writing. The sections about the interactions between the family were my favorites, because we all have those relationships that are love/hate. Or, at times, hate/hate. It was all very realistic with excellent character development.
Unfortunately, the main character is pretty much the equivalent of your racist uncle at a holiday dinner. He has opinions, he does not care if you like them, he believes everyone needs to hear them, and at some point you realize he is in reality a bitter old man who is lonely. So, if you can have a conversation with “that uncle” and still be able to see some good in him, you will probably enjoy this book. If you avoid family dinners because of him, then avoid it.
As for myself, I found “Let Me Explain You” an excellent debut novel and look forward to reading more from the author.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
At its heart, “Let Me Explain You” is a story about the American Dream, reality, and the hot mess that makes up most families, whether we want to admit it or not. It begins with Stavros Stavros Mavrakis (actual name) writing an email to his ex-wife and daughters, announcing that he will be dying in ten days. As the reader will soon come to learn about Mavrakis himself, it is in parts tender, sad, and downright mean. That’s the tone for the entire book.
While parts had me laughing out loud, others made me want to choke Mr. Mavrakis, and some made me want to cry. To me that’s wonderful writing. The sections about the interactions between the family were my favorites, because we all have those relationships that are love/hate. Or, at times, hate/hate. It was all very realistic with excellent character development.
Unfortunately, the main character is pretty much the equivalent of your racist uncle at a holiday dinner. He has opinions, he does not care if you like them, he believes everyone needs to hear them, and at some point you realize he is in reality a bitter old man who is lonely. So, if you can have a conversation with “that uncle” and still be able to see some good in him, you will probably enjoy this book. If you avoid family dinners because of him, then avoid it.
As for myself, I found “Let Me Explain You” an excellent debut novel and look forward to reading more from the author.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2015
From the moment our Stavros is expressing his true feelings about Starbucks, the reader knows he is a fiery handful. Let Me Explain You, he says to each of his daughters because he knows he is dying- the goat he has seen speaks of his impending death. His words are not nice ones, particularly to his ex-wife. "He heard himself talking and the words sounded ugly, like bits of fat, which was how he had intended them to come out."
His dreams have deeper meaning, and he wants to fix his daughters before he leaves this earth. "I am an immigrant. Of course I have always taken my dreams seriously."
He starts by telling his oldest to grow out her hair, that it is life changing. The novel is funny, bitingly so but there is sadness here too. For some reason I kept imagining it as an indie film. Stavros is a stubborn mess of a man, and his dream interpretation may just be a little off. The writing is good, and I look forward to future novels by Liontas. It certainly is strangely entertaining, even if Stavros is hard to like.
His dreams have deeper meaning, and he wants to fix his daughters before he leaves this earth. "I am an immigrant. Of course I have always taken my dreams seriously."
He starts by telling his oldest to grow out her hair, that it is life changing. The novel is funny, bitingly so but there is sadness here too. For some reason I kept imagining it as an indie film. Stavros is a stubborn mess of a man, and his dream interpretation may just be a little off. The writing is good, and I look forward to future novels by Liontas. It certainly is strangely entertaining, even if Stavros is hard to like.
August 14, 2017
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Stavros Stavros Mavrakis is the patriarch of a dysfunctional and highly opinionated Greek immigrant family, living in New Jersey. He is the proud owner of Gala Diner, father to three daughters and the ex-husband to a handful of ex-wives. After having a premonition of his death in exactly ten days, he writes an emotionally heated email to his family outlining his thoughts and final wishes. While for Stavros these are dark times, his family and friends, however, are taking the news of his impending death lightly, immune to his frequently absurd, overbearing and dramatic outbursts. When the tenth day finally dawns, and the events of this tumultuous day are revealed, the Mavrakis clan is changed forever.
In Let Me Explain You, Annie Liontas has eloquently captured the struggles of immigrants and their families as they try to make a new and better life for themselves in their new country. As a child of immigrants, I understand that struggle and the pull between the new and old world that children often face. My favourite parts of Let Me Explain You were in fact the sections where the author describes Stavros’ and Dina’s childhood, youth and final journey to America.
Unfortunately, this was about all I really enjoyed. I found Stavros to be overbearing and ridiculous, unnecessarily difficult and at times downright unbalanced. Instead of adding to the story for its potential comedic value, his character was so over the top that it was actually quite a detractor to my enjoyment. His daughters on the other hand were better developed in terms of evoking sympathy in the reader, and the author has made them much more realistic and believable.
In the end, Let Me Explain You did not live up to the hype of being laugh out loud funny which is a shame because the potential was there (My Big Fat Greek Wedding ring any bells?). There were definitely moments that tug at my heartstrings but those were also few and far between. Would I recommend this book? Maybe, but it’s definitely not on top of my list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stavros Stavros Mavrakis is the patriarch of a dysfunctional and highly opinionated Greek immigrant family, living in New Jersey. He is the proud owner of Gala Diner, father to three daughters and the ex-husband to a handful of ex-wives. After having a premonition of his death in exactly ten days, he writes an emotionally heated email to his family outlining his thoughts and final wishes. While for Stavros these are dark times, his family and friends, however, are taking the news of his impending death lightly, immune to his frequently absurd, overbearing and dramatic outbursts. When the tenth day finally dawns, and the events of this tumultuous day are revealed, the Mavrakis clan is changed forever.
In Let Me Explain You, Annie Liontas has eloquently captured the struggles of immigrants and their families as they try to make a new and better life for themselves in their new country. As a child of immigrants, I understand that struggle and the pull between the new and old world that children often face. My favourite parts of Let Me Explain You were in fact the sections where the author describes Stavros’ and Dina’s childhood, youth and final journey to America.
Unfortunately, this was about all I really enjoyed. I found Stavros to be overbearing and ridiculous, unnecessarily difficult and at times downright unbalanced. Instead of adding to the story for its potential comedic value, his character was so over the top that it was actually quite a detractor to my enjoyment. His daughters on the other hand were better developed in terms of evoking sympathy in the reader, and the author has made them much more realistic and believable.
In the end, Let Me Explain You did not live up to the hype of being laugh out loud funny which is a shame because the potential was there (My Big Fat Greek Wedding ring any bells?). There were definitely moments that tug at my heartstrings but those were also few and far between. Would I recommend this book? Maybe, but it’s definitely not on top of my list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2015
If you have daughters, you should read this book. If you have suffered, you should read this book. If you love food, you should also read it. Like life, it is funny and sad at the same time, and offers both a realistic and stylized vision of the immigrant experience in America. What begins as a kind of Greek King Lear story veers back and forth between the pathos and hilarious moments that tear families apart and draw them closer. Annie Liontas writes novels as though she's been doing it for decades, and she gets inside and outside her characters in the most amazing ways. Her descriptions are so vivid, I was moved to highlight sentences (which I never do) so that I could go back and relish them once again. I can't wait to read her next one, and in the meantime, I will definitely reread this one!
August 31, 2015
This book was great! I loved all the crazy going on with this family. Many different characters that had depth. It had a little mystery, lots of sarcasm, crass & warm humor, and family love,nonsense, and loyalty. I love the way the author made you hate a character but then in a future chapter made you understand more about them from their past and then again where they were heading in the future. This would make a great movie. I could see the whole thing themed around "the goat."
January 25, 2016
It was all Greek to me.
December 9, 2017
I don't know if I've ever hated a book as much as I did this one. I felt like the synopsis let me down: A Greek man dreams about a goat, thinking it's foreshadowing his death, and when the days count down to his memorial, his daughters think he's just pulling another crazy stunt—until he suddenly disappears. It sounds like the perfect comedy, right?
This book was not funny. Maybe you have to be Greek to get it? The first few chapters were rife with expletives (mostly from Stavros directed toward myriad women), so much so I started to develop this overwhelming disgust toward him, and toward all the other characters for allowing a man like this to exist in their world. The book carries on with this theme of how no woman is good enough for him, how they have all disappointed him (this gets sorted out a little but in the end, but perhaps not to the degree it should compared to the abuse he flings at his first wife and daughters throughout their lives). When this is not the focus, it's instead upon two of his daughters who seemingly hate each other. They can't get past their damaged childhood and are now trying to grapple with the disappearance of their father.
About 150 pages into the ~300 page book, we go back in time and finally learn the Mavrakis family history. It's honestly too much too late. It's disturbing, especially so for someone who thought they were in for a lighthearted comedy.
In the end, as one might expect , so there's this feeling that you've just wasted your time reading this thing you didn't even sign up for. Some hateful relationships are resolved, but not in a satisfactory way. Overall I feel disappointed I stuck with this. I started it in April, and 8 months later I can say it wasn't worth it.
This book was not funny. Maybe you have to be Greek to get it? The first few chapters were rife with expletives (mostly from Stavros directed toward myriad women), so much so I started to develop this overwhelming disgust toward him, and toward all the other characters for allowing a man like this to exist in their world. The book carries on with this theme of how no woman is good enough for him, how they have all disappointed him (this gets sorted out a little but in the end, but perhaps not to the degree it should compared to the abuse he flings at his first wife and daughters throughout their lives). When this is not the focus, it's instead upon two of his daughters who seemingly hate each other. They can't get past their damaged childhood and are now trying to grapple with the disappearance of their father.
About 150 pages into the ~300 page book, we go back in time and finally learn the Mavrakis family history. It's honestly too much too late. It's disturbing, especially so for someone who thought they were in for a lighthearted comedy.
In the end, as one might expect , so there's this feeling that you've just wasted your time reading this thing you didn't even sign up for. Some hateful relationships are resolved, but not in a satisfactory way. Overall I feel disappointed I stuck with this. I started it in April, and 8 months later I can say it wasn't worth it.
November 30, 2025
it’s so strange being someone’s daughter
June 30, 2015
Dark and tragic, Stavros Stavros (not a typo!) Mavrakis, has lived most of his adult life in New Jersey, after emigrating from Crete. The book opens with a letter he has written his daughters and one of his ex-wives after a dream that he will die within 10 days. What follows is a daily countdown from day 10 to day 1, which takes the reader back in time to detail why this dysfunctional Greek family is in its current state. While there are a few hilarious moments, I found this book to be very sad overall – the culmination of a life of hard-work and determination, and a chauvinistic attempt to control the lives of the women in his family. Stavros’ attempt to reunite his family, in the few remaining days he believes are left to him. is bittersweet, filled with memories and descriptions of Greek food prepared in his diners and by his daughter, Stavroula, a chef.
Despite the tragedy, the book was well-written and the female characters were entertaining in their anger toward each other and their Stavros. I look forward to more books from Ms. Liontas.
Thanks to Net Galley and Scribner for the ARC of this book.
Despite the tragedy, the book was well-written and the female characters were entertaining in their anger toward each other and their Stavros. I look forward to more books from Ms. Liontas.
Thanks to Net Galley and Scribner for the ARC of this book.
June 26, 2016
I absolutely love this book.
I'm not going to bother with a plot synopsis because describing the plot doesn't do the book justice and inevitably makes it sound like an altogether different book than the one it actually is.
This isn't really about plot, anyway. It's about story. And people. And language. It's funny as hell but it's also relevant and real and even tragic in some ways. It's about immigration and family and men and women, too.
I'm really not sure how it's possible that it's a debut novel, but there you go. Read it. It's fab.
I'm not going to bother with a plot synopsis because describing the plot doesn't do the book justice and inevitably makes it sound like an altogether different book than the one it actually is.
This isn't really about plot, anyway. It's about story. And people. And language. It's funny as hell but it's also relevant and real and even tragic in some ways. It's about immigration and family and men and women, too.
I'm really not sure how it's possible that it's a debut novel, but there you go. Read it. It's fab.
August 23, 2016
Beautifully structured, this novel grabbed me with the opening set up of a Greek father sending a manipulative e-mail to his three daughters and ex wife. The voice and pace of the novel are wonderful! Told with originality, poetry, myth, and deep psychological insight - and humor. It's an exceptional debut. and I'm in awe of her talent.
September 16, 2015
I finished the book, despite the fact that I really did not enjoy reading it, because I will be attending an authors panel with this author presenting. I found the obscene vocabulary offensive and the metaphors ridiculous. My family is also Greek and I have never heard the older generation speak with so much vile English profanity.
February 5, 2016
Simply wonderful. A lovely, lyrical voice, what a beautiful story. Wonderfully fleshed out characters, and an ending that in retrospect, I should have seen coming.
This is the story of a family of women, with a stubborn, funny, and underneath it all, very loving father with flaws. The entire family's flaws are laid bare for the reader. The language of this novel is a pleasure to read.
This is the story of a family of women, with a stubborn, funny, and underneath it all, very loving father with flaws. The entire family's flaws are laid bare for the reader. The language of this novel is a pleasure to read.
February 29, 2016
It starts off funny/dark humor and then as you get to know the daughters (only a little) it starts to get a little windy and off track. In the end, you understand more, but not everyone will push through. It's all about a father's love and the loss of translation between generations-so in the end you really see its brilliance.
November 6, 2025
A very…interesting read. Trying to get through books on my bookshelf so I’d say read it if you have it but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. Some parts were harder to understand from the writing. Didn’t hate it but didn’t necessarily like it either. Once I was about halfway through some of it started to interest me more but it took a while to get there.
November 29, 2015
A hilarious and moving story about a Greek immigrant and his daughters. Annie captures the voice of Stavros Stavros and brings him and his family to life so masterfully. I could not put this book down. Annie's characters are driven by pure, stubborn will. An incredible, engaging read.
Read
July 19, 2015DNF at 40%
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