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The Spice Box Letters
Katerina inherits a scented, wooden spice box after her grandmother Mariam dies. It contains letters and a diary, written in Armenian. As she pieces together her family story, Katerina learns that Mariam's childhood was shattered by the Armenian tragedy of 1915.
Mariam was exiled from her home in Turkey and separated from her beloved brother, Gabriel, her life marred by grief and the loss of her first love. Dissatisfied and restless, Katerina tries to find resolution in her own life as she completes Mariam's story – on a journey that takes her across Cyprus and then half a world away to New York.
Miracles, it seems, can happen – for those trapped by the past, and for Katerina herself.
Mariam was exiled from her home in Turkey and separated from her beloved brother, Gabriel, her life marred by grief and the loss of her first love. Dissatisfied and restless, Katerina tries to find resolution in her own life as she completes Mariam's story – on a journey that takes her across Cyprus and then half a world away to New York.
Miracles, it seems, can happen – for those trapped by the past, and for Katerina herself.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2015
28 people are currently reading
3219 people want to read
About the author
Eve Makis
10 books76 followersEve Makis studied at Leicester University and worked as a journalist and radio presenter in the UK and Cyprus before becoming a novelist. She is the author of four novels. Her first book Eat, Drink and be Married was published in five languages and awarded the Young Booksellers International Book of the Year Award. A screen adaptation of her third book, Land of the Golden Apple, is being filmed in June 2015. Eve is a part time tutor in creative writing at Nottingham University.The Spice Box Letters is currently available in English and Greek and has been long listed for the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
September 15, 2016
“Our world was a dangerous place, my father warned, and he was not alone in voicing his fears. Dire predictions resounded in every Armenian backyard and coffee house.”
Opening with a view through Mariam’s eyes in 1914, Eastern Turkey, the reader travels with her on an errand with her father. The town baker receives a vicious blow to the head from the baton of the police commandant. Mariam’s father, a doctor, assists in getting the baker revived, only to have him hauled up on his feet and dragged off by the police.
In 1985 England, Katerina is bequeathed a few of her recently deceased grandmother’s possessions.
She’s been given a wooden spice box, redolent with smells of the past, aware of the connection between this object and her grandmother. How many times her grandmother’s hands touched this box, felt the smoothness of the wood, held these things inside with loving memories. Inside the box are a man’s pocket watch, and letters her grandmother, Mariam, wrote, and her journal. Mariam’s story, but also Katerina’s story of the family she comes from.
Believing that Katarina might be able to connect with some family members who might still be alive, she heads from England to the land where her grandmother spent her early years.
There’s more to this story, love, love stories, family lost, found and always cherished, set against a background of ugly, ugly violence.
Having read Chris Bojalian’s “The Sandcastle Girls,” I was already aware of what occurred in this area, the atrocities committed against Armenians. I highly recommend it for those who wish to learn more about this topic.
Pub Date: 13 Sept 2016
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books, NetGalley, and author Eve Makis for providing me with an advanced copy for reading and review.
Opening with a view through Mariam’s eyes in 1914, Eastern Turkey, the reader travels with her on an errand with her father. The town baker receives a vicious blow to the head from the baton of the police commandant. Mariam’s father, a doctor, assists in getting the baker revived, only to have him hauled up on his feet and dragged off by the police.
In 1985 England, Katerina is bequeathed a few of her recently deceased grandmother’s possessions.
She’s been given a wooden spice box, redolent with smells of the past, aware of the connection between this object and her grandmother. How many times her grandmother’s hands touched this box, felt the smoothness of the wood, held these things inside with loving memories. Inside the box are a man’s pocket watch, and letters her grandmother, Mariam, wrote, and her journal. Mariam’s story, but also Katerina’s story of the family she comes from.
Believing that Katarina might be able to connect with some family members who might still be alive, she heads from England to the land where her grandmother spent her early years.
There’s more to this story, love, love stories, family lost, found and always cherished, set against a background of ugly, ugly violence.
Having read Chris Bojalian’s “The Sandcastle Girls,” I was already aware of what occurred in this area, the atrocities committed against Armenians. I highly recommend it for those who wish to learn more about this topic.
Pub Date: 13 Sept 2016
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books, NetGalley, and author Eve Makis for providing me with an advanced copy for reading and review.
October 26, 2016
My first impressions with this book was that it was an interesting story; very similar to other books along the vein of other displaced individuals during WWI. I say this not to minimize the story or the impact it can have. That was my first impression and I kept reading. The more I dove into it; the more the ache in my chest grew. I was so sad for the families that didn't get this happy ending to a horrific group of circumstances that no family should ever have to experience. My heart still hurts and feels bruised for the ones that never found their mother, brother, sister, father, aunt, uncle, grandparents, cousins; the list continues. The ones who survived but carry the mark on them either physically or psychologically of the toll their survival cost. This is a story with a happy ending; but I was left contemplating all the happy endings so many Armenians didn't get. A truly thought provoking read.
The story quickly weaves between 1915 and to present day 1985. I was woefully unaware of the atrocities committed to the Armenian people during this period. A horrific genocide occurred that altered the course of so many families' futures. The reader is taken through this genocide through the eyes of seven year old Miriam and then to her grieving family as they sift through her things after her death from a stroke in her later years. Her daughter and granddaughter discover the tragic circumstances of Miriam's life through the translation of her journal into Armenian. The discovery of the entire story leads to emotional healing, joy, and closure.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. It was a pleasure.
The story quickly weaves between 1915 and to present day 1985. I was woefully unaware of the atrocities committed to the Armenian people during this period. A horrific genocide occurred that altered the course of so many families' futures. The reader is taken through this genocide through the eyes of seven year old Miriam and then to her grieving family as they sift through her things after her death from a stroke in her later years. Her daughter and granddaughter discover the tragic circumstances of Miriam's life through the translation of her journal into Armenian. The discovery of the entire story leads to emotional healing, joy, and closure.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. It was a pleasure.
September 12, 2016
Every once in awhile you come across those stories, those novels that leave a huge impact on your life when you are done reading them. Those that open your eyes, make you think, and those that make you feel. The Spice Box Letters is one such story.
Shamefully I know very little about what occurred in Turkey to the Armenian community during the first world war and the events that took place are shocking and heartbreaking and are ones that should never be forgotten. Over shadowed by the horrors of the war itself and then forgotten as, 20 years later, something similar again occurred, this book touched me in a way few novels are able to.
It was emotional and raw and beautiful in it's telling. I truly couldn't have asked for a more inspiring and thought provoking read that both broke my heart and at times, uplifted me as well.
Told through multiple point of views through different generations of the same family, it was seamlessly blended together to form a story that was hard to put down and completely captivating.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Shamefully I know very little about what occurred in Turkey to the Armenian community during the first world war and the events that took place are shocking and heartbreaking and are ones that should never be forgotten. Over shadowed by the horrors of the war itself and then forgotten as, 20 years later, something similar again occurred, this book touched me in a way few novels are able to.
It was emotional and raw and beautiful in it's telling. I truly couldn't have asked for a more inspiring and thought provoking read that both broke my heart and at times, uplifted me as well.
Told through multiple point of views through different generations of the same family, it was seamlessly blended together to form a story that was hard to put down and completely captivating.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
September 7, 2016
3.5-4 stars...
For some reason, I didn't know much about the book when I started it. I read the first few pages and was worrying what I had gotten myself into. It just didn't seem to my taste. Then I read a bit more, and found myself quite interested in the story unraveling... By some rare coincidence, I watched about a week prior to starting this book a Genealogy reality show with the ancestors being Greek/Turkish refugees to the US during the same time period as written here. Before that exposure, I sadly hadn't known anything about what happened there, and certainly not specifically the Armenians. I am so glad that I had a chance to read this book and broaden my horizons. The characters really wove their way into my heart and I was glad to see how the stories intersected and ended. I don't want to give any spoilers so I really won't say any more
In criticism, at times the book was a bit disjointed--I found myself checking a few times to be sure I hadn't inadvertently skipped a page or two. Everything did make sense eventually, though. Historical fiction lovers who enjoy reading something different and with a unique setting, should find this to their liking
**Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books for an ARC to review!**
For some reason, I didn't know much about the book when I started it. I read the first few pages and was worrying what I had gotten myself into. It just didn't seem to my taste. Then I read a bit more, and found myself quite interested in the story unraveling... By some rare coincidence, I watched about a week prior to starting this book a Genealogy reality show with the ancestors being Greek/Turkish refugees to the US during the same time period as written here. Before that exposure, I sadly hadn't known anything about what happened there, and certainly not specifically the Armenians. I am so glad that I had a chance to read this book and broaden my horizons. The characters really wove their way into my heart and I was glad to see how the stories intersected and ended. I don't want to give any spoilers so I really won't say any more
In criticism, at times the book was a bit disjointed--I found myself checking a few times to be sure I hadn't inadvertently skipped a page or two. Everything did make sense eventually, though. Historical fiction lovers who enjoy reading something different and with a unique setting, should find this to their liking
**Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books for an ARC to review!**
July 11, 2015
This is the first book I truly loved in a long time. The sort of book I didn't want to end. The sort of book I'll recommend, and lend to my friends, but expect to get back. I will say no more. Read it.
February 7, 2017
When Katerina inherits a wooden spice box after her beloved Grandmother's death she is intrigued to discover a journal and some unsent letters inside. At her mother's encouragement she sets out to translate the diaries and discovers that her grandmother's childhood was marred by the Armanian atrocities of 1915, when she was seperated from her mother and brothers. Deeply saddened by this revelation, Katerina is determined to learn as much as possible about her Grandmother's culture, family and to discover if, against all the odds, there were any survivors.
Raw and honest this is a story that really gets under your skin. I am still thinking about it days after finishing it. I always enjoy a book where i learn something new and the persecution of the Armanian people is a subject i knew nothing about. Some of the passages relating to this are quite brutal and harrowing, particularly those relating to the children. The author shows skill in not shying away from these moments but not putting the reader off by being overly graphic. The characters in this book are very colourful and varied which makes the story very interesting. Your are interested in their story and keep reading to find out what happends to them. I particularly liked Gabriel who i found utterly hilarious. His exploits with his friends and his persuit of the snake where brillian and had me laughing out loud. It also helped to provide some light relieft to the more difficult passages. I found his battle to try and maintain his Armanian culture very interesting as it must be a struggle a lot of people face. The story is told from three seperate points of view and the author cleverly uses a different tone and style for each person which makes it very easy to differentiate between the characters. The book does lose its way a little in the middle as it focuses purely on Gabriel's story and away from the main story but keep reading as it is well worth it!
This is the first book by Eve Makis I have read but it definetly won't be my last. I would recommend this book to everyone not only because it is a great book but also because i feel it is important for everyone to know the plight of the Armanian people.
Huge thanks to St Martin's Press, the author and Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book.
Raw and honest this is a story that really gets under your skin. I am still thinking about it days after finishing it. I always enjoy a book where i learn something new and the persecution of the Armanian people is a subject i knew nothing about. Some of the passages relating to this are quite brutal and harrowing, particularly those relating to the children. The author shows skill in not shying away from these moments but not putting the reader off by being overly graphic. The characters in this book are very colourful and varied which makes the story very interesting. Your are interested in their story and keep reading to find out what happends to them. I particularly liked Gabriel who i found utterly hilarious. His exploits with his friends and his persuit of the snake where brillian and had me laughing out loud. It also helped to provide some light relieft to the more difficult passages. I found his battle to try and maintain his Armanian culture very interesting as it must be a struggle a lot of people face. The story is told from three seperate points of view and the author cleverly uses a different tone and style for each person which makes it very easy to differentiate between the characters. The book does lose its way a little in the middle as it focuses purely on Gabriel's story and away from the main story but keep reading as it is well worth it!
This is the first book by Eve Makis I have read but it definetly won't be my last. I would recommend this book to everyone not only because it is a great book but also because i feel it is important for everyone to know the plight of the Armanian people.
Huge thanks to St Martin's Press, the author and Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book.
April 10, 2017
From the first page, I knew that this story was promising.
Sadly, I had never even had an inkling about the tragedy in Armenia. Now I do, and I am so glad that I was introduced to it in such a sweet, yet heartbreaking way.
The Spice Box Letters was a beautiful story about how families are ripped apart by tragedy and tradition, and about how it's possible to put these pieces back together again.
While I did get a little lost with the different perspectives, I did thoroughly enjoy this book (this is coming from me, someone who normally dislikes historical fiction). The story was heartwarming and painfully real, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to understand the world a little better (so, everyone).
Sadly, I had never even had an inkling about the tragedy in Armenia. Now I do, and I am so glad that I was introduced to it in such a sweet, yet heartbreaking way.
The Spice Box Letters was a beautiful story about how families are ripped apart by tragedy and tradition, and about how it's possible to put these pieces back together again.
While I did get a little lost with the different perspectives, I did thoroughly enjoy this book (this is coming from me, someone who normally dislikes historical fiction). The story was heartwarming and painfully real, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to understand the world a little better (so, everyone).
April 26, 2020
"Now, I see that every relic, however battered, every scratch on every knick-knack, is engraved with a timeless story of someone's life."
This book took me completely by surprise. I've seen it in a bookshop many times and always passed by, unsure if I want to read it or not. But when I finally picked it up, the story ended up being so much more than I expected.
It starts with a young woman Katarina, who together with her mother find a journal and a wooden spice box full of letters written in Armenian - all belonging to her late grandmother. Katarina decides to find a way to translate her grandmother's journal and learn her story, the story that she kept a secret from her family.
What hit me first was how full of fragrances and flavours this book was. They jump off the pages and are so vividly described, you could almost taste and smell them yourself. There was also a lot of descriptions of Armenian culture, which I found very interesting and informative. The writing and the story although quite simple, were engaging and transported me back to the past and Mariam's story. The present chapters, set in 1980s are intertwined with the past and the story from the journal.
What I didn't expect is that this book will touch upon a very difficult and bloody time in the history - the Armenian Genocide in 1915. I admit that I've never heard of it, as it's not usually taught in our schools, but after reading this book I decided to learn more about it. I found it very striking how even in the book, one of the characters comments that this event in the history was overshadowed by WWI and how true it is in my case, and possibly other people too, who never heard of it. In The Spice Box Letters, we weren't given many historical facts, but instead we've seen it happen through child's eyes, which was even more impactful and horrifying.
I mentioned that the story was quite simple in my opinion, and I predicted a lot of what happened, but ultimately it didn't matter. Because in the end, The Spice Box Letters was a story of loss and tragedy but also endurance, of strong family ties and the importance of your roots. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it, if the description soundsi intriguing to you.
This book took me completely by surprise. I've seen it in a bookshop many times and always passed by, unsure if I want to read it or not. But when I finally picked it up, the story ended up being so much more than I expected.
It starts with a young woman Katarina, who together with her mother find a journal and a wooden spice box full of letters written in Armenian - all belonging to her late grandmother. Katarina decides to find a way to translate her grandmother's journal and learn her story, the story that she kept a secret from her family.
What hit me first was how full of fragrances and flavours this book was. They jump off the pages and are so vividly described, you could almost taste and smell them yourself. There was also a lot of descriptions of Armenian culture, which I found very interesting and informative. The writing and the story although quite simple, were engaging and transported me back to the past and Mariam's story. The present chapters, set in 1980s are intertwined with the past and the story from the journal.
What I didn't expect is that this book will touch upon a very difficult and bloody time in the history - the Armenian Genocide in 1915. I admit that I've never heard of it, as it's not usually taught in our schools, but after reading this book I decided to learn more about it. I found it very striking how even in the book, one of the characters comments that this event in the history was overshadowed by WWI and how true it is in my case, and possibly other people too, who never heard of it. In The Spice Box Letters, we weren't given many historical facts, but instead we've seen it happen through child's eyes, which was even more impactful and horrifying.
I mentioned that the story was quite simple in my opinion, and I predicted a lot of what happened, but ultimately it didn't matter. Because in the end, The Spice Box Letters was a story of loss and tragedy but also endurance, of strong family ties and the importance of your roots. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it, if the description soundsi intriguing to you.
September 19, 2016
3 stars - I liked it....though I didn't love it quite like I thought or I would
Here's what I loved:
- The back and forth volley between time periods was done very well, though I will say I felt more invested in the past than the more recent story
-How the past and present connected, easily seen from the start, though a slight change in what you might assume in the beginning by the time you finish
-The premise of the story
-The education I got on a time and place I knew so very little about
Here's what I didn't love:
- the characterization - I didn't feel as vested in the characters as I would have like to - I loved the characters, but didn't feel as if I knew them like I wanted to know them - having said that, I loved Gabriel and felt his character was developed a little better than the rest - loved his wit - he reminded me of an Armenian Archie Bunker in some ways - grumpy old man with deep prejudices and opinions and a good quick wit, mixed with a Golden-Girl's-Rose story-telling ability that takes some figuring out to get to the point he is trying to make, and loving man, brother, husband
-that the story line didn't stay more on the Miriam track....I loved Gabriel's story, but by the time we started reading his story I felt like we had moved onto another book, waiting to get back to Miriam and the journal
- at first I had a hard time reminding myself that Miriam was only 7 in the first part of the book because her voice was much more adultified - I can't think of any 7 year old that would talk with that language, then we learn that the journal was written in her later years thinking back on her 7-year old self, which was more reasonable, but frustrating that I didn't know that in the beginning - or maybe I should have and I missed that - ???
And the in-between:
-the writing - mostly smooth and easy, though I did find it went a little overboard on the food and recipes - but inspired me to look up new recipes
I just really wanted to love this book - and I ended up liking it - not a loss - still a win !
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book...such an honour for me.
Here's what I loved:
- The back and forth volley between time periods was done very well, though I will say I felt more invested in the past than the more recent story
-How the past and present connected, easily seen from the start, though a slight change in what you might assume in the beginning by the time you finish
-The premise of the story
-The education I got on a time and place I knew so very little about
Here's what I didn't love:
- the characterization - I didn't feel as vested in the characters as I would have like to - I loved the characters, but didn't feel as if I knew them like I wanted to know them - having said that, I loved Gabriel and felt his character was developed a little better than the rest - loved his wit - he reminded me of an Armenian Archie Bunker in some ways - grumpy old man with deep prejudices and opinions and a good quick wit, mixed with a Golden-Girl's-Rose story-telling ability that takes some figuring out to get to the point he is trying to make, and loving man, brother, husband
-that the story line didn't stay more on the Miriam track....I loved Gabriel's story, but by the time we started reading his story I felt like we had moved onto another book, waiting to get back to Miriam and the journal
- at first I had a hard time reminding myself that Miriam was only 7 in the first part of the book because her voice was much more adultified - I can't think of any 7 year old that would talk with that language, then we learn that the journal was written in her later years thinking back on her 7-year old self, which was more reasonable, but frustrating that I didn't know that in the beginning - or maybe I should have and I missed that - ???
And the in-between:
-the writing - mostly smooth and easy, though I did find it went a little overboard on the food and recipes - but inspired me to look up new recipes
I just really wanted to love this book - and I ended up liking it - not a loss - still a win !
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book...such an honour for me.
August 29, 2016
Katerina inherits a scented wooden spice box after Mariam her Grandmother dies. It contains a diary and some letters that were written in Armenian. Katerina discovers her Grandmothers childhood was shattered by the 1915 Armenian tragedy. Exiled from her country (Turkey) she is separated from her brother.
Katerina tries to find a resolution to her life by completing her Grandmothers story. A journey that will have her traveling across Cyprus to New York.
What a fantastic heart warming story that covers what happened to the Armenians during an awful time in their history.
I would like to thank Net Galley, St Martins Press and the author Eve Makis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Katerina tries to find a resolution to her life by completing her Grandmothers story. A journey that will have her traveling across Cyprus to New York.
What a fantastic heart warming story that covers what happened to the Armenians during an awful time in their history.
I would like to thank Net Galley, St Martins Press and the author Eve Makis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2017
I had this typed out, and it totally disappeared....Let me try again!!
A friend recommended this book, knowing how much I loved Chris Bohjalian's The Sandcastle Girls.
I LOVED THIS BOOK, too!!! Another journey with the Armenian Genocide...learning more through the stories I read. I can see Grandma Rose and her older brothers in this tale, as well as my husband's հորեղբայր...Mihran, as he waited with every hope in the orphanage, for family to find him....
Gabriel (from the story) talks about, "the pain twisted into the coils of my DNA, as ingrained as the colors that run through granite rock" (page 128), and what I know to be true about traumatic events in one's life altering their DNA is reaffirmed. Later, he speaks to Partogh, about the "white genocide." "Hovsepian refers to the evil of assimilation, the curse of intermarriage, the biggest threat to our traditions, our language, our nation" (175), and I better understand, it is not about Armenians becoming victims of their pasts, as much as it is the fear of non-existence....These people were nearly extinguished from existence. Hence, tho it is said tongue in cheek, I am an odar (177 inter-married-non-Armenian), and in some circles and at some gatherings, I do respect that fact (and very much love the fact that my mom-in-law has an amazingly big heart, and does not feel this way personally!!). I listen a lot, learn a lot, understand all the more.
This book speaks loudly to me, and I appreciate all the researching that went into each page. The story is beautiful, and comforting, and a balm for those who have lived it.
Bravo, Eve Makis.
A friend recommended this book, knowing how much I loved Chris Bohjalian's The Sandcastle Girls.
I LOVED THIS BOOK, too!!! Another journey with the Armenian Genocide...learning more through the stories I read. I can see Grandma Rose and her older brothers in this tale, as well as my husband's հորեղբայր...Mihran, as he waited with every hope in the orphanage, for family to find him....
Gabriel (from the story) talks about, "the pain twisted into the coils of my DNA, as ingrained as the colors that run through granite rock" (page 128), and what I know to be true about traumatic events in one's life altering their DNA is reaffirmed. Later, he speaks to Partogh, about the "white genocide." "Hovsepian refers to the evil of assimilation, the curse of intermarriage, the biggest threat to our traditions, our language, our nation" (175), and I better understand, it is not about Armenians becoming victims of their pasts, as much as it is the fear of non-existence....These people were nearly extinguished from existence. Hence, tho it is said tongue in cheek, I am an odar (177 inter-married-non-Armenian), and in some circles and at some gatherings, I do respect that fact (and very much love the fact that my mom-in-law has an amazingly big heart, and does not feel this way personally!!). I listen a lot, learn a lot, understand all the more.
This book speaks loudly to me, and I appreciate all the researching that went into each page. The story is beautiful, and comforting, and a balm for those who have lived it.
Bravo, Eve Makis.
March 20, 2015
A wonderful read - something for everyone in here. What I expected might be a sad, difficult read is in fact a hopeful, good feel story. The book's beginning is a little disjointed but quickly finds it's feet and lifts off for a smooth read through to the heart warming finish. The many threads are skilfully woven to produce a fine finished product that wraps up all loose ends and leaves you satisfied. The book speaks to the intellect with a wealth of research and historical backdrop that lend it an appropriate gravity and credibility given the poignant starting point, but also speaks to the heart drawing smiles and tears alike. A book you will close the cover on regretfully but which leaves a cosy glow.
September 3, 2016
This tale of love, loss, survival and hope was enthralling and beautifully told. I felt the love, the pain and the longing with every page. I could almost smell the delicious food and feel the sun and see the stars. I cried hard at the end and was sad it ended. The best read in a long time. Thank you to Eve Makis and netgalley for the copy in return for an honest review.
September 2, 2019
Ok I may have teared up - although I knew where this story would end, it’s hard to believe so much loss and grief could be brought upon one family.
May 9, 2015
Υπάρχουν ορισμένες στιγμές που θέλεις πάρα πολύ να γράψεις την άποψή σου για ένα βιβλίο, αλλά δυσκολεύεσαι αρκετά να φτάσεις στον στόχο σου. Κάτι τέτοιο συμβαίνει και στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, για δύο πολύ βασικούς λόγους. Ο πρώτος έχει να κάνει με την προσωπική συναισθηματική μου φόρτιση, που δεν είμαι σίγουρη κατά πόσο μπορώ να την διαχειριστώ ώστε να βάλω τις σκέψεις μου σε μια τάξη. Ο δεύτερος είναι λιγάκι πιο πεζός, αλλά εξίσου σημαντικός, και έχει να κάνει με το ότι φοβάμαι μήπως αποκαλύψω περισσότερα απ' όσα πρέπει, καταστρέφοντας άθελά μου ένα μέρος της μαγείας του βιβλίου. Γιατί, "Το κουτί των αναμνήσεων", είναι ένα από τα βιβλία εκείνα που έχουν αυτή τη μαγική ικανότητα. Να σε παρασύρουν προκαλώντας σε να πεις πολλά, ενώ στην πραγματικότητα πρέπει να πεις πολύ λίγα.
Όταν η Μάριαμ, η γιαγιά της Κατερίνας, πεθαίνει, αφήνει πίσω της ένα ξύλινο κουτί μπαχαρικών στο οποίο περιέχονται μια σειρά από επιστολές. Όμως, αυτές, είναι γραμμένες στην Αρμένικη γλώσσα και η Κατερίνα δεν μπορεί να καταλάβει το περιεχόμενό τους. Σε ένα ταξίδι της στην Κύπρο, η Κατερίνα, θα γνωρίσει έναν νεαρό Αρμένιο, τον Αρά, ο οποίος θα δεχτεί να της μεταφράσει τις επιστολές αυτές, και το νήμα ενός συγκλονιστικού παρελθόντος θα αρχίσει να ξετυλίγεται μέσω αυτών. Η Μάριαμ είχε μυστικά που τα είχε κρατήσει για τον εαυτό της ολόκληρη τη ζωή της. Στις πλάτες της σήκωνε ένα παρελθόν σκληρό και αδυσώπητο, ένα παρελθόν γεμάτο ξεριζωμό και θάνατο. Ένα παρελθόν που ξεκίνησε όταν εκείνη ήταν εφτά χρονών και μαζί με την οικογένειά της διώχτηκαν από την Ανατολική Τουρκία, ένα παρελθόν που βάφτηκε με αίμα όταν έγινε μάρτυρας της δολοφονίας του αδερφού της, ή τουλάχιστον έτσι νόμιζε, αλλά και όταν έχασε την πρώτη της αγάπη. Και τώρα, η Κατερίνα, θα αναζητήσει τις ρίζες της, αλλά και την αλήθεια πίσω από τα μυστικά που σφράγισε ο χρόνος.
Πριν πούμε οτιδήποτε άλλο, οφείλουμε να αναφέρουμε πως το συγκεκριμένο μυθιστόρημα κυκλοφόρησε συμβολικά στις αρχές του 2015, έτσι ώστε να συμπέσει η έκδοσή του με τα 100 χρόνια από την γενοκτονία των Αρμενίων. Δεν μπορώ να ξέρω πόσα γνωρίζει κανείς για την εποχή εκείνη, αλλά πρόκειται αναμφίβολα για ένα από τα πιο μελανά σημεία της σύγχρονης Ιστορίας, βουτηγμένο στην αδικία, τον ανθρώπινο πόνο και το αίμα που σκόρπισε ο θάνατος. Χωρίς να έχει πρόθεση να αναδειχθεί σε ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα, "Το κουτί των αναμνήσεων" περιέχει πολλές ιστορικές λεπτομέρειες που μπορεί να μην είναι εύκολες ή ευχάριστες την ανάγνωσή τους, δεν παύουν όμως να είναι αληθινές, κάτι που τις κάνει ακόμα πιο ισχυρές, και είναι αδύνατον να μην σε αγγίξουν, να μην σε ταράξουν, να μην σε συγκινήσουν. Έπιασα τον εαυτό μου ν' αφήνει πολλές φορές στη μέση την ανάγνωση ορισμένων ενοτήτων και αυτό, γιατί μου ήταν εξαιρετικά δύσκολο να προχωρήσω παρακάτω, κυρίως επειδή δάκρυα ανέβαιναν στα μάτια μου και ένα βαθύ παράπονο φώλιαζε μέσα μου.
Οι χαρακτήρες της ιστορίας αυτής μπορεί να είναι φανταστικοί, κάτι που δεν ισχύει όμως και για την αλήθεια τους. Μπορεί η Μάριαμ να μην έζησε όλον αυτόν τον πόνο, όμως κάποιοι άλλοι τον βίωσαν στη θέση της. Αυτό καθιστά αδύνατον το να μην έχει η ιστορία συναισθηματικό αντίκτυπο στον αναγνώστη, αφού του θυμίζει πως οι άνθρωποι ποτέ δεν ξεχνάνε τις πληγές του παρελθόντος του, παρά μονάχα μαθαίνουν να ζουν με αυτές και να πορεύονται μαζί τους, κληροδοτώντας τες άθελά τους στις επόμενες γενιές. Οι τραγωδίες ποτέ δεν σβήνουν, ποτέ δεν ξεχνιούνται, ποτέ δεν χάνουν την δύναμη της επιβολής τους πάνω μας. Η ανάγνωση του εν λόγω μυθιστορήματος, μόνο ως ρεαλιστική μπορεί να χαρακτηριστεί, αλλά δεν μπορούμε να παραβλέψουμε και την διδακτική της φύση, παρά που καμία πρόθεση δεν έχει να γίνει δασκαλίστικη ή δήθεν ηθικοπλαστική.
Η συγγραφέας επιλέγει να αφηγηθεί την ιστορία της μέσα από μικρά, ευέλικτα κεφάλαια, κάτι που αποδίδει στον μέγιστο βαθμό, κυρίως εξαιτίας των αναχρονισμών που επικρατούν, ταξιδεύοντάς μας πότε στο παρελθόν και πότε στο παρόν, χωρίς ωστόσο να χάνουμε τη σειρά μας, να δυσκολευόμαστε να παρακολουθήσουμε, ή και να μπερδευόμαστε, κάτι που συμβαίνει πολύ συχνά όταν επιλέγεται αυτή η μορφή αφήγησης. Ο ρυθμός που κυλάει η ιστορία είναι γρήγορος, χωρίς να σου επιτρέπει να πάρεις ανάσα, ενώ οι περιγραφές είναι λεπτομερείς χωρίς να κουράζουν, τόσο όσο χρειάζεται ώστε να γεννήσουν μέσα σου εικόνες τόπων ξεχασμένων, ανθρώπων που ζουν ανάμεσά μας αλλά που δεν γνωρίζουμε το παρελθόν τους, γεύσεις και αρώματα ��ου δεν είναι πάντα ευχάριστα. Χωρίς να θέλω να πω περισσότερα, για να μην καταστρέψω μέρος της μαγείας του βιβλίου αυτού, έχω μόνο να προσθέσω τα ακόλουθα. "Το κουτί των αναμνήσεων" είναι το δίχως άλλο, ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία της χρονιάς. Διαβάστε το, γίνεται μέρος της ιστορίας του και να θυμάστε πως τα μυστικά, είναι καλό να τα μοιραζόμαστε μερικές φορές, γιατί η αποκάλυψή τους μπορεί και να μας οδηγήσει στη λύτρωση.
Όταν η Μάριαμ, η γιαγιά της Κατερίνας, πεθαίνει, αφήνει πίσω της ένα ξύλινο κουτί μπαχαρικών στο οποίο περιέχονται μια σειρά από επιστολές. Όμως, αυτές, είναι γραμμένες στην Αρμένικη γλώσσα και η Κατερίνα δεν μπορεί να καταλάβει το περιεχόμενό τους. Σε ένα ταξίδι της στην Κύπρο, η Κατερίνα, θα γνωρίσει έναν νεαρό Αρμένιο, τον Αρά, ο οποίος θα δεχτεί να της μεταφράσει τις επιστολές αυτές, και το νήμα ενός συγκλονιστικού παρελθόντος θα αρχίσει να ξετυλίγεται μέσω αυτών. Η Μάριαμ είχε μυστικά που τα είχε κρατήσει για τον εαυτό της ολόκληρη τη ζωή της. Στις πλάτες της σήκωνε ένα παρελθόν σκληρό και αδυσώπητο, ένα παρελθόν γεμάτο ξεριζωμό και θάνατο. Ένα παρελθόν που ξεκίνησε όταν εκείνη ήταν εφτά χρονών και μαζί με την οικογένειά της διώχτηκαν από την Ανατολική Τουρκία, ένα παρελθόν που βάφτηκε με αίμα όταν έγινε μάρτυρας της δολοφονίας του αδερφού της, ή τουλάχιστον έτσι νόμιζε, αλλά και όταν έχασε την πρώτη της αγάπη. Και τώρα, η Κατερίνα, θα αναζητήσει τις ρίζες της, αλλά και την αλήθεια πίσω από τα μυστικά που σφράγισε ο χρόνος.
Πριν πούμε οτιδήποτε άλλο, οφείλουμε να αναφέρουμε πως το συγκεκριμένο μυθιστόρημα κυκλοφόρησε συμβολικά στις αρχές του 2015, έτσι ώστε να συμπέσει η έκδοσή του με τα 100 χρόνια από την γενοκτονία των Αρμενίων. Δεν μπορώ να ξέρω πόσα γνωρίζει κανείς για την εποχή εκείνη, αλλά πρόκειται αναμφίβολα για ένα από τα πιο μελανά σημεία της σύγχρονης Ιστορίας, βουτηγμένο στην αδικία, τον ανθρώπινο πόνο και το αίμα που σκόρπισε ο θάνατος. Χωρίς να έχει πρόθεση να αναδειχθεί σε ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα, "Το κουτί των αναμνήσεων" περιέχει πολλές ιστορικές λεπτομέρειες που μπορεί να μην είναι εύκολες ή ευχάριστες την ανάγνωσή τους, δεν παύουν όμως να είναι αληθινές, κάτι που τις κάνει ακόμα πιο ισχυρές, και είναι αδύνατον να μην σε αγγίξουν, να μην σε ταράξουν, να μην σε συγκινήσουν. Έπιασα τον εαυτό μου ν' αφήνει πολλές φορές στη μέση την ανάγνωση ορισμένων ενοτήτων και αυτό, γιατί μου ήταν εξαιρετικά δύσκολο να προχωρήσω παρακάτω, κυρίως επειδή δάκρυα ανέβαιναν στα μάτια μου και ένα βαθύ παράπονο φώλιαζε μέσα μου.
Οι χαρακτήρες της ιστορίας αυτής μπορεί να είναι φανταστικοί, κάτι που δεν ισχύει όμως και για την αλήθεια τους. Μπορεί η Μάριαμ να μην έζησε όλον αυτόν τον πόνο, όμως κάποιοι άλλοι τον βίωσαν στη θέση της. Αυτό καθιστά αδύνατον το να μην έχει η ιστορία συναισθηματικό αντίκτυπο στον αναγνώστη, αφού του θυμίζει πως οι άνθρωποι ποτέ δεν ξεχνάνε τις πληγές του παρελθόντος του, παρά μονάχα μαθαίνουν να ζουν με αυτές και να πορεύονται μαζί τους, κληροδοτώντας τες άθελά τους στις επόμενες γενιές. Οι τραγωδίες ποτέ δεν σβήνουν, ποτέ δεν ξεχνιούνται, ποτέ δεν χάνουν την δύναμη της επιβολής τους πάνω μας. Η ανάγνωση του εν λόγω μυθιστορήματος, μόνο ως ρεαλιστική μπορεί να χαρακτηριστεί, αλλά δεν μπορούμε να παραβλέψουμε και την διδακτική της φύση, παρά που καμία πρόθεση δεν έχει να γίνει δασκαλίστικη ή δήθεν ηθικοπλαστική.
Η συγγραφέας επιλέγει να αφηγηθεί την ιστορία της μέσα από μικρά, ευέλικτα κεφάλαια, κάτι που αποδίδει στον μέγιστο βαθμό, κυρίως εξαιτίας των αναχρονισμών που επικρατούν, ταξιδεύοντάς μας πότε στο παρελθόν και πότε στο παρόν, χωρίς ωστόσο να χάνουμε τη σειρά μας, να δυσκολευόμαστε να παρακολουθήσουμε, ή και να μπερδευόμαστε, κάτι που συμβαίνει πολύ συχνά όταν επιλέγεται αυτή η μορφή αφήγησης. Ο ρυθμός που κυλάει η ιστορία είναι γρήγορος, χωρίς να σου επιτρέπει να πάρεις ανάσα, ενώ οι περιγραφές είναι λεπτομερείς χωρίς να κουράζουν, τόσο όσο χρειάζεται ώστε να γεννήσουν μέσα σου εικόνες τόπων ξεχασμένων, ανθρώπων που ζουν ανάμεσά μας αλλά που δεν γνωρίζουμε το παρελθόν τους, γεύσεις και αρώματα ��ου δεν είναι πάντα ευχάριστα. Χωρίς να θέλω να πω περισσότερα, για να μην καταστρέψω μέρος της μαγείας του βιβλίου αυτού, έχω μόνο να προσθέσω τα ακόλουθα. "Το κουτί των αναμνήσεων" είναι το δίχως άλλο, ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία της χρονιάς. Διαβάστε το, γίνεται μέρος της ιστορίας του και να θυμάστε πως τα μυστικά, είναι καλό να τα μοιραζόμαστε μερικές φορές, γιατί η αποκάλυψή τους μπορεί και να μας οδηγήσει στη λύτρωση.
August 16, 2016
Review The Spice Box Letters by Eve Makis
Before you start to read…. Get a box of tissues handy!
Katerina inherits a scented, wooden spice box after her grandmother Mariam dies. It contains letters and a diary, written in Armenian. As she pieces together her family story, Katerina learns that Mariam's childhood was shattered by the Armenian tragedy of 1915.
The research, and historical details were great! I plan on reading up on more of this subject. It was heartwarming, funny, tragic, and uplifting ALL in one book. I thoroughly enjoyed The Spice Box Letters, it kept me reading much later than I planned each evening. I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the story line. The writing is beautiful and descriptive enough that I could picture everything in my head. I will probably read it again in the very near future.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the author
in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did
not influence my review
Before you start to read…. Get a box of tissues handy!
Katerina inherits a scented, wooden spice box after her grandmother Mariam dies. It contains letters and a diary, written in Armenian. As she pieces together her family story, Katerina learns that Mariam's childhood was shattered by the Armenian tragedy of 1915.
The research, and historical details were great! I plan on reading up on more of this subject. It was heartwarming, funny, tragic, and uplifting ALL in one book. I thoroughly enjoyed The Spice Box Letters, it kept me reading much later than I planned each evening. I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the story line. The writing is beautiful and descriptive enough that I could picture everything in my head. I will probably read it again in the very near future.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the author
in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did
not influence my review
September 15, 2019
Jestem zdziwiona, że tak bardzo dałam się porwać tej powieści! Nie da się ukryć, że miał na to wpływ niesamowity, wręcz egzotyczny klimat. Dorzuciłabym do tego jeszcze rodzinne sekrety i tajemniczą starą skrzynkę pełną listów.
Cieszę się, że ta historia nie jest przesłodzona. Nie każdy z zaginionych się szczęśliwie odnajduje, nie zawsze pojawiają się dobre rozwiązania niejasnych sytuacji. Oczywiście samo zakończenie jest nieco naciągane, ale o dziwo można się na nim wzruszyć.
Najlepsze jest to, że ani trochę nie żałuję czasu spędzonego z tą książką. Polubiłam jej bohaterów oraz bogate opisy kuchni i tradycji Ormian. Sam motyw podróży w nieznane jest interesujący, bowiem niezbyt często akcja książek dzieje się na Cyprze.
Warto, jeśli nie jesteście wielkimi specjalistami od dziejów Ormian, bo dzięki tej pozycji możecie się o nich dowiedzieć czegoś więcej. Osoby, które miały już wcześniej do czynienia z podobną tematyką, mogą być zawiedzione.
Cieszę się, że ta historia nie jest przesłodzona. Nie każdy z zaginionych się szczęśliwie odnajduje, nie zawsze pojawiają się dobre rozwiązania niejasnych sytuacji. Oczywiście samo zakończenie jest nieco naciągane, ale o dziwo można się na nim wzruszyć.
Najlepsze jest to, że ani trochę nie żałuję czasu spędzonego z tą książką. Polubiłam jej bohaterów oraz bogate opisy kuchni i tradycji Ormian. Sam motyw podróży w nieznane jest interesujący, bowiem niezbyt często akcja książek dzieje się na Cyprze.
Warto, jeśli nie jesteście wielkimi specjalistami od dziejów Ormian, bo dzięki tej pozycji możecie się o nich dowiedzieć czegoś więcej. Osoby, które miały już wcześniej do czynienia z podobną tematyką, mogą być zawiedzione.
January 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Katerina is with her mom looking at her grandmother's belongings after she passed and found a journal and a box of letters. They are written in Armenian so they could not read them. Katerina takes a trip to Cyprus with her friend and meets a guy and he reads it to her and the story of WWI is revealed.
March 18, 2015
Having tried to write this review for ages now, I just can't seem to put my thoughts into words without giving away spoilers, or without feeling as if I haven't done the book justice. So I'm just going to write and hope it makes sense.
When Katerina's grandmother Mariam dies she leaves behind a wooden spice box, containing letters and a diary written in Armenian. Katerina travels to Cyprus where she meets Ara who starts to translate the diary for Katerina, revealing secrets that Mariam had kept to herself her whole life. A life that started with her being exiled from her home in Turkey and separated from her brother Gabriel, her life then marred by grief and the loss of her first love.
The Spice Box Letters is being published in 2015 to mark the centenary year of the Armenian genocide. I am ashamed to admit that I don't know all that much about that time, and whilst the book was difficult reading in places, it was absolutely necessary to highlight the pain and suffering these people went through, and makes the emotional connection that I felt as a reader to these characters all the more powerful. The characters in this book are fictional, but the basis for the story lies in fact and the story has so much more of an impact because of that. It is an incredibly realistic read, the research having gone into the book evident on every page, but it never felt like a history lesson, though I learnt a lot whilst reading this thought-provoking book. This is a timely and important release highlighting and making sure people never forget about this tragedy.
With mostly short chapters in the beginning we go back and forth between time periods quite often, but I found this worked very well, especially in the beginning as we were just getting to know Katerina. We would have extracts from Mariam's diary, before quickly moving back to the present day. Mariam's story was quite difficult to read in places, so not having the whole thing told to you at once helped break the story up, and allowed us to see Katerina's reaction, and the impact that the diary began to have on her own life. I wish I could talk about all of the characters in this book, but that would definitely ruin the story for readers, as this is a book you should all discover for yourselves. It's sad how different the story could have turned out for certain characters but that's why the story is so believable, with so many families torn apart perhaps living around the world unaware of where their siblings, parents or friends were after this awful tragedy.
Eve Makis is a truly wonderful writer, and the book is beautifully descriptive when Eve is talking about Cyprus, which is my favourite place in the whole world. She really captures the setting, and I loved her descriptions of the food consumed by her characters. I was practically salivating reading about all the foods that I love so much. On the other hand her harrowing descriptions of the genocide, the horrible deaths of the characters, and the emotional turmoil those who survived went through left a lump in my throat, and towards the end of the book tears streamed down my face I'm not ashamed to admit. The book is an emotional read, but there's also positives to be taken from it as well. For me it's not to take life for granted, to appreciate the loved ones that we do have in our lives, and in the case of Mariam, I would perhaps say it's about finding the bravery to share those secrets you might be hiding, before it's too late, as it was for Mariam.
I'm not very good with words, so I'll just share this quote from Eve's website which I feel explains what the book is essentially about, better than I can!
"I would like to think of the book as a spice box, not only peppered by tragedy, but also evoking a distinct sense of culture through food, folklore and customs, an attempt to balance a dark, turbulent past with a lighter, more hopeful present. It is essentially a story about intimate family secrets, slowly unraveled and the enduring quality of love."
The Spice Box Letters is probably one of the best books that I have ever read, and if it doesn't make my Top 5 Books of the Year, I'll be very surprised. I honestly can't recommend this book enough, it is absolutely incredible and I urge anybody who is reading this review not to simply add it to your TBR and then forget about it as more books are released but buy it now, start it today, and then tell all your family and friends to do so as well. Some books just deserve to be read, and The Spice Box Letters is one such book.
When Katerina's grandmother Mariam dies she leaves behind a wooden spice box, containing letters and a diary written in Armenian. Katerina travels to Cyprus where she meets Ara who starts to translate the diary for Katerina, revealing secrets that Mariam had kept to herself her whole life. A life that started with her being exiled from her home in Turkey and separated from her brother Gabriel, her life then marred by grief and the loss of her first love.
The Spice Box Letters is being published in 2015 to mark the centenary year of the Armenian genocide. I am ashamed to admit that I don't know all that much about that time, and whilst the book was difficult reading in places, it was absolutely necessary to highlight the pain and suffering these people went through, and makes the emotional connection that I felt as a reader to these characters all the more powerful. The characters in this book are fictional, but the basis for the story lies in fact and the story has so much more of an impact because of that. It is an incredibly realistic read, the research having gone into the book evident on every page, but it never felt like a history lesson, though I learnt a lot whilst reading this thought-provoking book. This is a timely and important release highlighting and making sure people never forget about this tragedy.
With mostly short chapters in the beginning we go back and forth between time periods quite often, but I found this worked very well, especially in the beginning as we were just getting to know Katerina. We would have extracts from Mariam's diary, before quickly moving back to the present day. Mariam's story was quite difficult to read in places, so not having the whole thing told to you at once helped break the story up, and allowed us to see Katerina's reaction, and the impact that the diary began to have on her own life. I wish I could talk about all of the characters in this book, but that would definitely ruin the story for readers, as this is a book you should all discover for yourselves. It's sad how different the story could have turned out for certain characters but that's why the story is so believable, with so many families torn apart perhaps living around the world unaware of where their siblings, parents or friends were after this awful tragedy.
Eve Makis is a truly wonderful writer, and the book is beautifully descriptive when Eve is talking about Cyprus, which is my favourite place in the whole world. She really captures the setting, and I loved her descriptions of the food consumed by her characters. I was practically salivating reading about all the foods that I love so much. On the other hand her harrowing descriptions of the genocide, the horrible deaths of the characters, and the emotional turmoil those who survived went through left a lump in my throat, and towards the end of the book tears streamed down my face I'm not ashamed to admit. The book is an emotional read, but there's also positives to be taken from it as well. For me it's not to take life for granted, to appreciate the loved ones that we do have in our lives, and in the case of Mariam, I would perhaps say it's about finding the bravery to share those secrets you might be hiding, before it's too late, as it was for Mariam.
I'm not very good with words, so I'll just share this quote from Eve's website which I feel explains what the book is essentially about, better than I can!
"I would like to think of the book as a spice box, not only peppered by tragedy, but also evoking a distinct sense of culture through food, folklore and customs, an attempt to balance a dark, turbulent past with a lighter, more hopeful present. It is essentially a story about intimate family secrets, slowly unraveled and the enduring quality of love."
The Spice Box Letters is probably one of the best books that I have ever read, and if it doesn't make my Top 5 Books of the Year, I'll be very surprised. I honestly can't recommend this book enough, it is absolutely incredible and I urge anybody who is reading this review not to simply add it to your TBR and then forget about it as more books are released but buy it now, start it today, and then tell all your family and friends to do so as well. Some books just deserve to be read, and The Spice Box Letters is one such book.
July 24, 2017
In compliance with FTC guidelines -- I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. The content of this review is not influenced by that fact. The feelings expressed are solely mine.
I finished this book almost a month ago and still I haven't found the motivation to write a full fledged review. It's not that the book was bad (obviously-- I gave it 4 stars) but on the other hand it was not overly fantastic either (perhaps my 4 stars are incredibly generous?). Sigh... As you can see I'm thoroughly conflicted. So I'll suffice to say what I liked and disliked about the novel.
I liked --
The flow of the story was smooth, easy and mostly unencumbered. Except it starts out with a young girl and somewhere along the line shifts significantly to her older brother's story. I guess I didn't mind too much since he was much more interesting anyway.
The characters for the most part where complete and believable. (See above)
I did love the historical setting and the chance to read about the Armenian genocide. I'm sure many who know me and know my love of all things Eastern European will be surprised this is the first book I've read with this theme. This book was indeed my first fictional foray into this period in history. My real life E.E. history also stopped just short of Turkey ---- went right up to the Black Sea but never ventured across the water. Yes, I knew a lot about the Turks because of their influence in Eastern Europe but never of their influence in Turkey or the Armenian plight. So for that maybe alone is where my 4 stars are being given?
What I didn't like--
I felt the entire book was written "down". The language was very simple and the sentence structures were not complex. Not necessarily that it was written for a young adult so much as for an adult who could not possibly be bothered with any words longer than two syllables. Also, the subject matter surely was not YA or at least should not have been so that I believe is not a plausible reason for the style. Although after reading about the author I noted English most likely was not her first language. (Ok--Cutting her a bit of slack accordingly). Also I noticed she is a journalist. Hmmm? Makes sense since that writing would be at this level since most articles or news stories must be written down for the hordes of people who cannot be bothered to read REAL news, and formulate opinions without being told what it is they should think.
So to sum up this admittedly disjointed review, I will say this book is definitely a worthwhile time investment for anyone who loves historical fiction and needs a quick easy read. I think it will appeal to readers who are looking for an era and region of the world that is not overly saturated in the historical fiction category.
I finished this book almost a month ago and still I haven't found the motivation to write a full fledged review. It's not that the book was bad (obviously-- I gave it 4 stars) but on the other hand it was not overly fantastic either (perhaps my 4 stars are incredibly generous?). Sigh... As you can see I'm thoroughly conflicted. So I'll suffice to say what I liked and disliked about the novel.
I liked --
The flow of the story was smooth, easy and mostly unencumbered. Except it starts out with a young girl and somewhere along the line shifts significantly to her older brother's story. I guess I didn't mind too much since he was much more interesting anyway.
The characters for the most part where complete and believable. (See above)
I did love the historical setting and the chance to read about the Armenian genocide. I'm sure many who know me and know my love of all things Eastern European will be surprised this is the first book I've read with this theme. This book was indeed my first fictional foray into this period in history. My real life E.E. history also stopped just short of Turkey ---- went right up to the Black Sea but never ventured across the water. Yes, I knew a lot about the Turks because of their influence in Eastern Europe but never of their influence in Turkey or the Armenian plight. So for that maybe alone is where my 4 stars are being given?
What I didn't like--
I felt the entire book was written "down". The language was very simple and the sentence structures were not complex. Not necessarily that it was written for a young adult so much as for an adult who could not possibly be bothered with any words longer than two syllables. Also, the subject matter surely was not YA or at least should not have been so that I believe is not a plausible reason for the style. Although after reading about the author I noted English most likely was not her first language. (Ok--Cutting her a bit of slack accordingly). Also I noticed she is a journalist. Hmmm? Makes sense since that writing would be at this level since most articles or news stories must be written down for the hordes of people who cannot be bothered to read REAL news, and formulate opinions without being told what it is they should think.
So to sum up this admittedly disjointed review, I will say this book is definitely a worthwhile time investment for anyone who loves historical fiction and needs a quick easy read. I think it will appeal to readers who are looking for an era and region of the world that is not overly saturated in the historical fiction category.
September 21, 2016
When I heard that The Spice Box Letters had a plot involving the Armenian Genocide, I had to read it immediately. My great grandfather was a witness to the genocide and his involvement in relief efforts has always been a part of my family’s collective history. The Spice Box Letters really took me inside the events from the viewpoint of someone who was ripped from their home and family. The story is told in several different time periods, but starts in the 1980s as Katerina mourns the loss of her grandmother and discovers a trove of letters, written in Armenian, that presumably hold a key to her history. The story then travels back to the time just before World War I when her grandmother was torn from a life and community she knew into horrifying circumstances. As the story goes back and forth, you will be drawn into both Miriam’s and Katerina’s lives. I was completely engrossed and invested in this book. The history, the sadness, and the will to survive gave this tragic story many moments of hope. It’s a part of history that we don’t hear about a lot in the US, and I was glad to see that the author chose to write a story involving the plight of the Armenian people.
There are definitely some brutal and heartbreaking scenes in The Spice Box Letters. Even the refugees who survived or were rescued were not guaranteed fair treatment. They still had to struggle to maintain their cultural identities and their language as they were assimilated into new homes and new lives. One thing that really struck me about this story was how timely it is. As I sit reading about the plight of refugees who want nothing more than to be reunited with their homes and their families, I can’t help but think about the photos we see and the stories we hear about refugees today. That sense that history is closer than we think made it an even more emotional book. Using Miriam’s letters as a vehicle to tell the story in flashbacks gave it an air of mystery, as well, because what you think might be a simple accounting of what happened to one person ends up involving the pain and hope of many other people who were connected across time. The ending was like putting the last piece in a really big jig-saw puzzle, which is to say it was very satisfying. I became so invested in the characters and I really wanted them all to find the people and the peace they were looking for. Anyone who likes history and an absorbing story will love The Spice Box Letters.
There are definitely some brutal and heartbreaking scenes in The Spice Box Letters. Even the refugees who survived or were rescued were not guaranteed fair treatment. They still had to struggle to maintain their cultural identities and their language as they were assimilated into new homes and new lives. One thing that really struck me about this story was how timely it is. As I sit reading about the plight of refugees who want nothing more than to be reunited with their homes and their families, I can’t help but think about the photos we see and the stories we hear about refugees today. That sense that history is closer than we think made it an even more emotional book. Using Miriam’s letters as a vehicle to tell the story in flashbacks gave it an air of mystery, as well, because what you think might be a simple accounting of what happened to one person ends up involving the pain and hope of many other people who were connected across time. The ending was like putting the last piece in a really big jig-saw puzzle, which is to say it was very satisfying. I became so invested in the characters and I really wanted them all to find the people and the peace they were looking for. Anyone who likes history and an absorbing story will love The Spice Box Letters.
November 5, 2016
Note for FTC guidelines. My wife received this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Lucky them! They get two reviews!
I had only read one other book that
mentioned the Armenian Genocide. This book was very good. While those terrible events are more of a back drop to a realistic modern life, I feel the author used them very judiciously and painted events quite accurately. The horrors and terrifying moments pop out very vividly. Meanwhile here in modern times the relationships and characters develop in a very meaningful way.
While this book is not a history per se, it creates a flavor for events that I knew very little about and now need to satisfy! I enjoyed the characters, literary devices, and story very very much. This book was a straight up 5 for me.
I had only read one other book that
mentioned the Armenian Genocide. This book was very good. While those terrible events are more of a back drop to a realistic modern life, I feel the author used them very judiciously and painted events quite accurately. The horrors and terrifying moments pop out very vividly. Meanwhile here in modern times the relationships and characters develop in a very meaningful way.
While this book is not a history per se, it creates a flavor for events that I knew very little about and now need to satisfy! I enjoyed the characters, literary devices, and story very very much. This book was a straight up 5 for me.
March 21, 2017
The Spice Box Letters is a classic example of a book with beautiful prose, lush sensory detail, and well-researched history that never comes together as a dramatic, emotionally engaging story. All the material is there, as Katerina (in 1985) explores her family’s personal tragedy during the Armenian genocide of 1915. So much of the story is told second or third hand, but that in itself does not account for the emotional distance. Perhaps another reader would fall in love with the characters and thereby be drawn into the story, but I never found anything in them that touched me. There were poignant moments, like when Katya and her mother realize that they would never taste the grandmother’s cooking because she never wrote down the recipes, and how much food that epitomizes culture, family, and “home” means to them. But such scenes must be linked together in an overall dramatic arc to create a satisfying, engaging novel. As beautifully written as it is, The Spice Box Letters left me feeling as if the author had tried to turn a horrific historical tragedy into a novel without understanding how fiction works. She might have done better to write a straight historical treatment of the Armenian genocide.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 14, 2018
Here is an Armenian Genocide story with its unique aftermath two generations later. Twists of fate lead to great joy. Eve Makis has written a beautiful story that had me in tears more than once. A new author to me, Makis is a fiction professor in England. I will read more by her.
March 28, 2018
Being of Armenian descent and first generation of Armenian genocide survivors, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn't as gruesome as many other historical fiction novels
March 16, 2020
Really great story based on historical facts that I didn’t know much about. Only took me a few days to read and left on a super happy ending! I really enjoyed the book!
November 30, 2022
Separated from her entire family during the 1915 Armenian tragedy, Mariam is affected by the loss for the rest of her life. After she dies, her granddaughter, Katerina, is desperate to translate her grandmother's journal from long ago. Will she be able to find any long lost family?
Spice Box started out strong but even though the events that occurred were devastating, I remained detached from the story and the characters. Alternating between the past and the present, it was soon evident how it would end. Overall, the ending was sweet but predictable.
Location: Turkey, England, Cyprus, United States (NYC and Fresno, California)
Spice Box started out strong but even though the events that occurred were devastating, I remained detached from the story and the characters. Alternating between the past and the present, it was soon evident how it would end. Overall, the ending was sweet but predictable.
Location: Turkey, England, Cyprus, United States (NYC and Fresno, California)
January 21, 2019
Το κουτί με τις αναμνήσεις.!!
Ανοίγοντας αυτό το βιβλίο είναι σαν να άνοιξα ένα κουτί γεμάτο γλυκά, αρώματα, γεύσεις, πόνο, ξεριζωμό, αγάπη και ελπίδα.
Ένα κουτί που μοσχοβολησε την ψυχή μου με τόσα συναισθήματα και με δάκρυα στα μάτια τελείωσε η ιστορία του.
Ένα υπέροχο μικρό βιβλίο που αγγίζει ψυχές..! Και άγγιξε και την δική μου.
Μικρά κεφάλαια με υπέροχη γραφή που σε ταξιδεύουν και σε κάνουν να ονειρεύεσαι, να λησμονείς και να ελπίζεις. Αν και είναι βιβλίο μυθοπλασίας δεν απέχει πολύ από την αλήθεια. Πόσες Ιστορίες ανθρώπων που δε βρέθηκαν χείλη να την ψιθυρισουν έχουμε αντικρύσει στο διάβα μας. Πόσες ψυχές πληγωμένες δε σκουριασαν από δάκρυα που έχασαν την ελπίδα και την πίστη τους σε χρονιά που βάφτηκαν με αίμα και πόνο. Πόσες αλήθειες χαμένες σε πολέμους και ξεριζομους. Πόσες ανθρώπινες ψυχές που πάτησαν σε ματωμένα χώματα με πληγιασμενα πόδια και ξεριζομενα πεθαμένα όνειρα.!
Από την Αρμενία στην Τουρκία. Από την Ελλάδα στην Κύπρο. Από το χάος στην όαση. Από το τίποτα στα πάντα. Από τις χαμένες ελπίδες στα χαμόγελα. Από την ρουτίνα της δυστυχίας σε στιγμές ευτυχίας με απώλειες που πια δε πονουν τόσο μα μένουν στη καρδιά σαν σημάδια που δε ματώνουν μα μένουν ανεξίτηλα.
Η Μαρίαμ, ο Γκάμπριελ, ο Λένορ, ο Άρα, η Κατερίνα και άλλοι τόσοι άνθρωποι που με όπλο ένα κουτί, ένα ημερολόγιο περπατούν για να κερδίσουν μια μάχη ή να χάσουν ξανά ένα πόλεμο.
Ψυχές που πάλεψαν, έχασαν, πόνεσαν, και επέζησαν Γιατί το θαύμα πάντα σε περιμένει σε μια μικρή στάση της ζωής σου. Μπορεί να χρειαστεί να περάσουν πολλά τρένα μα εκείνο το λαμπερό που θα φέρει την ευτυχία πάντα αργεί. Ακόμη και αν η ελπίδα λιγοψυχησει. Εκείνο θα έρθει. Αρκεί να έχεις μέσα σου πίστη, αρκεί να κρατάς τις αναμνήσεις ζωντανές.
Ένα υπέροχο γλυκό βιβλίο.
Αρκετό χιούμορ, πόνος, ιστορικά γεγονότα που σου κόβουν την ανάσα. Μα στο τέλος. Εκεί που τίποτα δε μπορεί να νικήσει το χάος έρχεται η οαση. Μπορεί να έχει απώλειες Αλλά το μέλλον δε μας εμποδίζει να κάνουμε καινούργια όνειρα και να φτιάξουμε νέες αναμνήσεις κρατώντας σε ένα κουτί εκείνες που μας πόνεσαν μα αγαπήσαμε πολυ Γιατί με αυτές μας έμαθε η ζωή να πορευόμαστε.
Η ζωή έχει και τις χαρές μα και τις λύπες.
Μα έχει και την ελπίδα για ένα αύριο που μπορούμε οι ίδιοι να το πλασουμε. Αν όχι τέλειο τουλάχιστον ευτυχισμένο σύμφωνα με τα δικά μας πάθη και τα δικά μας χέρια ακόμη και είναι γεμάτα πληγές.
Γιατί η ευτυχία έρχεται πάντα απρόσκλητη και κρύβει εκπλήξεις.! Αρκεί να μπορέσουμε να την δεχτούμε και να συνυπάρξουμε μαζί της.
Ανοίγοντας αυτό το βιβλίο είναι σαν να άνοιξα ένα κουτί γεμάτο γλυκά, αρώματα, γεύσεις, πόνο, ξεριζωμό, αγάπη και ελπίδα.
Ένα κουτί που μοσχοβολησε την ψυχή μου με τόσα συναισθήματα και με δάκρυα στα μάτια τελείωσε η ιστορία του.
Ένα υπέροχο μικρό βιβλίο που αγγίζει ψυχές..! Και άγγιξε και την δική μου.
Μικρά κεφάλαια με υπέροχη γραφή που σε ταξιδεύουν και σε κάνουν να ονειρεύεσαι, να λησμονείς και να ελπίζεις. Αν και είναι βιβλίο μυθοπλασίας δεν απέχει πολύ από την αλήθεια. Πόσες Ιστορίες ανθρώπων που δε βρέθηκαν χείλη να την ψιθυρισουν έχουμε αντικρύσει στο διάβα μας. Πόσες ψυχές πληγωμένες δε σκουριασαν από δάκρυα που έχασαν την ελπίδα και την πίστη τους σε χρονιά που βάφτηκαν με αίμα και πόνο. Πόσες αλήθειες χαμένες σε πολέμους και ξεριζομους. Πόσες ανθρώπινες ψυχές που πάτησαν σε ματωμένα χώματα με πληγιασμενα πόδια και ξεριζομενα πεθαμένα όνειρα.!
Από την Αρμενία στην Τουρκία. Από την Ελλάδα στην Κύπρο. Από το χάος στην όαση. Από το τίποτα στα πάντα. Από τις χαμένες ελπίδες στα χαμόγελα. Από την ρουτίνα της δυστυχίας σε στιγμές ευτυχίας με απώλειες που πια δε πονουν τόσο μα μένουν στη καρδιά σαν σημάδια που δε ματώνουν μα μένουν ανεξίτηλα.
Η Μαρίαμ, ο Γκάμπριελ, ο Λένορ, ο Άρα, η Κατερίνα και άλλοι τόσοι άνθρωποι που με όπλο ένα κουτί, ένα ημερολόγιο περπατούν για να κερδίσουν μια μάχη ή να χάσουν ξανά ένα πόλεμο.
Ψυχές που πάλεψαν, έχασαν, πόνεσαν, και επέζησαν Γιατί το θαύμα πάντα σε περιμένει σε μια μικρή στάση της ζωής σου. Μπορεί να χρειαστεί να περάσουν πολλά τρένα μα εκείνο το λαμπερό που θα φέρει την ευτυχία πάντα αργεί. Ακόμη και αν η ελπίδα λιγοψυχησει. Εκείνο θα έρθει. Αρκεί να έχεις μέσα σου πίστη, αρκεί να κρατάς τις αναμνήσεις ζωντανές.
Ένα υπέροχο γλυκό βιβλίο.
Αρκετό χιούμορ, πόνος, ιστορικά γεγονότα που σου κόβουν την ανάσα. Μα στο τέλος. Εκεί που τίποτα δε μπορεί να νικήσει το χάος έρχεται η οαση. Μπορεί να έχει απώλειες Αλλά το μέλλον δε μας εμποδίζει να κάνουμε καινούργια όνειρα και να φτιάξουμε νέες αναμνήσεις κρατώντας σε ένα κουτί εκείνες που μας πόνεσαν μα αγαπήσαμε πολυ Γιατί με αυτές μας έμαθε η ζωή να πορευόμαστε.
Η ζωή έχει και τις χαρές μα και τις λύπες.
Μα έχει και την ελπίδα για ένα αύριο που μπορούμε οι ίδιοι να το πλασουμε. Αν όχι τέλειο τουλάχιστον ευτυχισμένο σύμφωνα με τα δικά μας πάθη και τα δικά μας χέρια ακόμη και είναι γεμάτα πληγές.
Γιατί η ευτυχία έρχεται πάντα απρόσκλητη και κρύβει εκπλήξεις.! Αρκεί να μπορέσουμε να την δεχτούμε και να συνυπάρξουμε μαζί της.
August 19, 2015
The writer says a story about a journey in an armenian woman's past in Minor Asia while First World War is on its zenith. Poetry and terror from a girl's diary written after long time and the lonely life of the lost siblings through the transformation of Ottoman Empire to Turkey. Even if the characters haven't mch difference between them (only in older Gabriel I found a complete personality), the story keeps its interesting for what's going to happen next. In the same time you can see what did Armenians before Armenia born. It's funny for me, which I am Greek to see Gabriel's anger about his granddaughter's affair with a greek cypriot guy, because, I learn that Armenians don't like to marry Greeks (or Turkish of course) when there isn't a real problem for English people or else. Nice story, with the poetic mystery of spice box letters, and nothing is what you will expect to happen. Beautiful cover, happy end, maybe for me, who I am an bookworm, I would like more details about the life in past, before the disaster, and not only then.
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