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Greek Village/Greek Island #1
The Illegal Gardener
The Illegal Gardener
is the first book in the Greek Village Collection from INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR Sara Alexi.
The Illegal Gardener is a moving, poignant story about life's rare encounters which knock us off our path, and elevate our very existence.
Driven by a need for some control in her life, Juliet sells up on impulse and buys a run down farmhouse in a tiny Greek village, leaving her English life behind. Her boys have grown and she has finally divorced her bullying husband. This is her time now.
Whilst making her new home habitable, Juliet discovers she needs a sturdy helping hand with the unruly and neglected garden. Unwilling to share her newfound independence with anyone, but unable to do all the work by herself, she reluctantly enlists casual labour.
Aaman has travelled to Greece from Pakistan illegally. Desperate to find a way out of poverty, his challenge is to find work and raise money for the harvester his village urgently need to survive.
What he imagined would be a heroic journey in reality is fraught with danger and corruption. Aaman finds himself in Greece, and with each passing day loses a little more of himself as he survives his new life as an immigrant worker; illegal, displaced, unwanted and with no value. Hungry and stranded, how will he ever make it back home to Pakistan?
In what begins as an uncomfortable exchange, Juliet hires Aaman to be her gardener, but resents the intrusion even though she needs the help. Aaman needs the work and money but resents the humiliation.
In spite of themselves, as the summer progresses, they get to know one another and discover they have something in common. Pieces of their lives they have kept hidden even from themselves are exposed, with each helping the other to face their painful past.
Will Juliet and Amaan finally let each other in? And what will be the outcome of this improbable conjoining of two lost souls?
The Illegal Gardener is a moving, poignant story about life's rare encounters which knock us off our path, and elevate our very existence.
Driven by a need for some control in her life, Juliet sells up on impulse and buys a run down farmhouse in a tiny Greek village, leaving her English life behind. Her boys have grown and she has finally divorced her bullying husband. This is her time now.
Whilst making her new home habitable, Juliet discovers she needs a sturdy helping hand with the unruly and neglected garden. Unwilling to share her newfound independence with anyone, but unable to do all the work by herself, she reluctantly enlists casual labour.
Aaman has travelled to Greece from Pakistan illegally. Desperate to find a way out of poverty, his challenge is to find work and raise money for the harvester his village urgently need to survive.
What he imagined would be a heroic journey in reality is fraught with danger and corruption. Aaman finds himself in Greece, and with each passing day loses a little more of himself as he survives his new life as an immigrant worker; illegal, displaced, unwanted and with no value. Hungry and stranded, how will he ever make it back home to Pakistan?
In what begins as an uncomfortable exchange, Juliet hires Aaman to be her gardener, but resents the intrusion even though she needs the help. Aaman needs the work and money but resents the humiliation.
In spite of themselves, as the summer progresses, they get to know one another and discover they have something in common. Pieces of their lives they have kept hidden even from themselves are exposed, with each helping the other to face their painful past.
Will Juliet and Amaan finally let each other in? And what will be the outcome of this improbable conjoining of two lost souls?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2012 people are currently reading
4366 people want to read
About the author
Sara Alexi
37 books317 followersBest selling author Sara Alexi was born in Oxford, England. After travelling widely she now splits her time between England and a tiny rural village in the Peloponnese, in Greece, where she has renovated a stone farmhouse, whilst observing the Greek way of life and absorbing the culture.
As a qualified psychotherapist, Sara ran her own practice for years. Her artistic nature was, during that time, confined to painting and she exhibited widely. Her move to Greece was the catalyst that began her writing.
Her 'Greek Village Series' has been very well received and provides a keenly observed, compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general.
If you would like a complementary copy of the first in "The Greek Village" Series please follow the links on her web site.
www.Saraalexi.com
She would also love you to friend her on;
https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraalexi
You can also read a recent interview with Sara here: https://saraalexi.com/2016/03/19/unde...
As a qualified psychotherapist, Sara ran her own practice for years. Her artistic nature was, during that time, confined to painting and she exhibited widely. Her move to Greece was the catalyst that began her writing.
Her 'Greek Village Series' has been very well received and provides a keenly observed, compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general.
If you would like a complementary copy of the first in "The Greek Village" Series please follow the links on her web site.
www.Saraalexi.com
She would also love you to friend her on;
https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraalexi
You can also read a recent interview with Sara here: https://saraalexi.com/2016/03/19/unde...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 666 reviews
January 10, 2017
A dear Goodreads friend recommended this book to me; otherwise, I would have never noticed it. It turned out to be a wonderful novel, so thank you, David, for bringing it to my attention.
The Illegal Gardener is number one in a series of 19 books focused on the population of a small village in Greece. This was a different story for me, and is so elegantly told by author Sara Alexi. It is totally character driven, focusing on the relationship between a British Greek-English translator named Juliet and Aaman, her illegal Pakistani “houseboy”, 16 years her junior. These two, initially separated by class, come to respect and deeply care for one another. Despite their obvious differences, they find a lot of common ground. This is not a romance novel, but a subtle telling of what becomes a profound friendship, which almost certainly will last a lifetime. There is surprising depth to the story. Issues addressed include: fate being tied to a person’s mother’s birthplace; the oppression of class differences; the struggle, indignities and lack of opportunity faced by those wishing to start over in a different land; and how a little help for an unfortunate individual can result in a total turnaround of life circumstances.
Ms. Alexi is an accomplished writer. Her prose is beautiful, but certainly not overdone. She magically transports the reader into the setting, giving one a real flavor of Greek life and landscape. The scenes involving living conditions of the poor and gritty detention centers are just as vivid. I felt I was there. It is clear to me the author also did a tremendous amount of research into the various themes of the story. Everything about the novel felt very realistic.
The book lost a star from me as it took a while to draw me in. Initially, I did not like Juliet—she was off putting. As the story progressed, she began to see her flaws and I could finally root for her. There is no real mystery, but there were tense moments in the narrative. Even if there had been no major tension at all, the relationship between Juliet and Aaman easily propelled the tale for me.
I do not want to fail to mention that I loved the running side commentary about the little cat family that adopted Juliet.
I highly recommend The Illegal Gardener to readers looking for a moving character-driven novel about the unlikely development of a powerful relationship. I am definitely interested in reading more of this fine series.
The Illegal Gardener is number one in a series of 19 books focused on the population of a small village in Greece. This was a different story for me, and is so elegantly told by author Sara Alexi. It is totally character driven, focusing on the relationship between a British Greek-English translator named Juliet and Aaman, her illegal Pakistani “houseboy”, 16 years her junior. These two, initially separated by class, come to respect and deeply care for one another. Despite their obvious differences, they find a lot of common ground. This is not a romance novel, but a subtle telling of what becomes a profound friendship, which almost certainly will last a lifetime. There is surprising depth to the story. Issues addressed include: fate being tied to a person’s mother’s birthplace; the oppression of class differences; the struggle, indignities and lack of opportunity faced by those wishing to start over in a different land; and how a little help for an unfortunate individual can result in a total turnaround of life circumstances.
Ms. Alexi is an accomplished writer. Her prose is beautiful, but certainly not overdone. She magically transports the reader into the setting, giving one a real flavor of Greek life and landscape. The scenes involving living conditions of the poor and gritty detention centers are just as vivid. I felt I was there. It is clear to me the author also did a tremendous amount of research into the various themes of the story. Everything about the novel felt very realistic.
The book lost a star from me as it took a while to draw me in. Initially, I did not like Juliet—she was off putting. As the story progressed, she began to see her flaws and I could finally root for her. There is no real mystery, but there were tense moments in the narrative. Even if there had been no major tension at all, the relationship between Juliet and Aaman easily propelled the tale for me.
I do not want to fail to mention that I loved the running side commentary about the little cat family that adopted Juliet.
I highly recommend The Illegal Gardener to readers looking for a moving character-driven novel about the unlikely development of a powerful relationship. I am definitely interested in reading more of this fine series.
May 23, 2016
This was a book I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did. The day before going on holiday my email landed from Bookbub and I had a look to see what was on offer. The Illegal Gardener was amongst the selection and it was free. To be honest the cover was what drew me in, and after a read of the look inside – quite liking the writing style – I thought it’d make a pleasant holiday read. If it turned out to not be my cup-of-tea, I thought my wife would at least appreciate it.
Well, it was much more than a pleasant read: by the second chapter I was hooked and simply struggled to put it down. Fortunately, with nothing more pressing than sunning by the pool, I didn’t have too. The setting, despite what it says on the Goodreads' book page, is Greece, and maybe lazing in the sun added to the quality of that aspect, but I felt as if I was there due to such delicious descriptive writing.
The character development is marvellous and allows us to gradually get to know the main two characters. Moreover the development encompasses their growing relationship and adjusts accordingly in a very believable manner.
Were this a pure romance story of a woman looking for a new path having rehomed from England to Greece, it would not have held my interest, but there is a level of depth that takes it beyond pure romance. There is a serious side, which makes the reader consider the issue regarding Western wealth and the desire of poorer countries to have similar opportunities.
Overall, an enjoyable, entertaining and thought provoking read, which I highly recommend. I will certainly be on the lookout for more of this author’s books.
Well, it was much more than a pleasant read: by the second chapter I was hooked and simply struggled to put it down. Fortunately, with nothing more pressing than sunning by the pool, I didn’t have too. The setting, despite what it says on the Goodreads' book page, is Greece, and maybe lazing in the sun added to the quality of that aspect, but I felt as if I was there due to such delicious descriptive writing.
The character development is marvellous and allows us to gradually get to know the main two characters. Moreover the development encompasses their growing relationship and adjusts accordingly in a very believable manner.
Were this a pure romance story of a woman looking for a new path having rehomed from England to Greece, it would not have held my interest, but there is a level of depth that takes it beyond pure romance. There is a serious side, which makes the reader consider the issue regarding Western wealth and the desire of poorer countries to have similar opportunities.
Overall, an enjoyable, entertaining and thought provoking read, which I highly recommend. I will certainly be on the lookout for more of this author’s books.
August 20, 2018
Beautiful Narrative, May 21, 2017
Phyllis Eisenstadt
This is a book that does not draw you in with a "hook" of any sort, so that at times you just want to give up and put it down. Then, slowly but surely, without even noticing it, you become involved with the characters, as the author imbues them with more depth. The two main characters are of different ethnic backgrounds, speak different languages, and come from entirely different cultures. Yet, Ms. Alexi manages to merge the differences into a profound learning experience for both protagonists. Juliet, the English female protagonist and homeowner finds herself gifted with a talented gardener whom she sometimes introduces as her houseboy. Aaman, an impoverished Pakistani gardener enters her life in ways that are charming and totally unexpected. They each possess knowledge and traits that are passed on one to the other, sometimes subtly, sometimes directly.
The story takes place in Greece -- a country Juliet had visited some years ago, and to which she longed to return. The house she bought was in dire need of repairs, and Aaman, unable to find employment could not believe his good fortune when he was hired by Juliet and discovered the giving nature even she didn't know she possessed.
For the reader, there is much tension in their relationship -- not sexual tension, but the tension of a dubious friendship between a single upper class English woman and a married, lower financial class Pakistani. Yet, Ms. Alexi makes it come together, tenderly, in a charming and believable manner. I loved this book and found it replete with Grecian flavor and thoroughly enjoyable.
Get out the box of tissues!
Phyllis Eisenstadt
This is a book that does not draw you in with a "hook" of any sort, so that at times you just want to give up and put it down. Then, slowly but surely, without even noticing it, you become involved with the characters, as the author imbues them with more depth. The two main characters are of different ethnic backgrounds, speak different languages, and come from entirely different cultures. Yet, Ms. Alexi manages to merge the differences into a profound learning experience for both protagonists. Juliet, the English female protagonist and homeowner finds herself gifted with a talented gardener whom she sometimes introduces as her houseboy. Aaman, an impoverished Pakistani gardener enters her life in ways that are charming and totally unexpected. They each possess knowledge and traits that are passed on one to the other, sometimes subtly, sometimes directly.
The story takes place in Greece -- a country Juliet had visited some years ago, and to which she longed to return. The house she bought was in dire need of repairs, and Aaman, unable to find employment could not believe his good fortune when he was hired by Juliet and discovered the giving nature even she didn't know she possessed.
For the reader, there is much tension in their relationship -- not sexual tension, but the tension of a dubious friendship between a single upper class English woman and a married, lower financial class Pakistani. Yet, Ms. Alexi makes it come together, tenderly, in a charming and believable manner. I loved this book and found it replete with Grecian flavor and thoroughly enjoyable.
Get out the box of tissues!
May 14, 2013
I was not hooked in the first chapter of this book. In fact, I made myself read the second chapter, but by the third chapter I couldn't find enough time to read it! Not to give anything away, I want to express my appreciation to Sara Alexi for how she handled the friendship between this sensitive woman and man, and how class and cultural differences didn't keep them from becoming friends in the truest sense. It was a refreshing break from what this story could have been, and I disagree that the ending was predictable. In the end this story is about healing, forgiving oneself, keeping hope, but most of all it's a reminder of how life changing a true friend can be, no matter how short our interaction may be with this other person. I am looking forward to reading other books by this author. I hope that her other books are as enchanting and thought provoking as this one.
February 16, 2017
THE ILLEGAL GARDENER by Sara Alexi is the perfect title for this book. Gardening is one of my favorite themes in books, and this one made me happy with vivid descriptions in Greece.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I collect books with gardening, healing, or farming themes and locations. This cover caught my eye several times before I downloaded it for free during an Amazon promotion. I hesitated to read it, because it was an indie published title. I’ve read several in need of an editor, which frustrates me. Thankfully, this book was easy to read without nit-picking. Mostly, I just wanted to rush ahead to see what happens next.
I read a large number of new-to-me authors, so it was hard to find another one to read for this month’s TBR Challenge with Wendy the Super Librarian. Sometimes I just want the comfort of a familiar author and this was one of those months. Imagine my surprise when I found this author’s style just as comforting as someone tried and true.
Join the discussion at my blog, The Zest Quest.
First, let me warn you that although this book may be considered romantic, it doesn’t meet the standard expectations of romance readers, and it may make a few mad when they suspect infidelity. It all makes sense by the end, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, including the surprise ending, but it’s listed as literary, which suits it beautifully.
THE ILLEGAL GARDENER has an old world feel to it. I felt like I was in Greece from the very beginning. It could easily satisfy historical lovers who are attempting some contemporary fiction. There are a few modern conveniences like cars, computers or cell phones, but for the most part, this book has an etched-in-time aura.
Divorcee Juliet buys a run-down home in Greece and plans to renovate it with some help. She’s self-employed as a translator, doing most of her work online. Juliet hires two men in town, who she suspects are Pakistan illegals, to work in her dilapidated garden. After one day, she’s most impressed with Aaman and asks him to continue to work for her inside and outside her home.
Aaman is starving and hoping to earn enough money to help his village buy a harvester. He’s married and misses his family very much. Juliet is kind, but she also has a similar painful past to Aaman. Soon they find that they have much in common and begin to develop a deep friendship.
With all the political nonsense going on right now, I thought it was appropriate to read something from the illegal’s point of view. It’s an engaging and emotional story that could take place anywhere, but I really loved the Greek characters mixed with so many illegals from other countries. It gave this book authenticity and a human element that is heart-breaking in part, while being uplifting in how the characters heal from the experience.
Emotionally riveting and character driven, THE ILLEGAL GARDENER will make you think. I gasped at Juliet and Aaman’s sacrifices. From the excerpts included at the end of this book, I’m anxious to continue the series, especially to find out more about Marina the shopkeeper in book two, BLACK BUTTERFLIES.
I can easily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a softly literary story, enriched with tough choices and the healing aspects of working with your hands. It’s not an over-the-edge literary contemporary, so I think romance readers may like it for a change of pace.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Digital copy provided for free by the author in an Amazon promotion.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I collect books with gardening, healing, or farming themes and locations. This cover caught my eye several times before I downloaded it for free during an Amazon promotion. I hesitated to read it, because it was an indie published title. I’ve read several in need of an editor, which frustrates me. Thankfully, this book was easy to read without nit-picking. Mostly, I just wanted to rush ahead to see what happens next.
I read a large number of new-to-me authors, so it was hard to find another one to read for this month’s TBR Challenge with Wendy the Super Librarian. Sometimes I just want the comfort of a familiar author and this was one of those months. Imagine my surprise when I found this author’s style just as comforting as someone tried and true.
Join the discussion at my blog, The Zest Quest.
First, let me warn you that although this book may be considered romantic, it doesn’t meet the standard expectations of romance readers, and it may make a few mad when they suspect infidelity. It all makes sense by the end, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, including the surprise ending, but it’s listed as literary, which suits it beautifully.
THE ILLEGAL GARDENER has an old world feel to it. I felt like I was in Greece from the very beginning. It could easily satisfy historical lovers who are attempting some contemporary fiction. There are a few modern conveniences like cars, computers or cell phones, but for the most part, this book has an etched-in-time aura.
Divorcee Juliet buys a run-down home in Greece and plans to renovate it with some help. She’s self-employed as a translator, doing most of her work online. Juliet hires two men in town, who she suspects are Pakistan illegals, to work in her dilapidated garden. After one day, she’s most impressed with Aaman and asks him to continue to work for her inside and outside her home.
Aaman is starving and hoping to earn enough money to help his village buy a harvester. He’s married and misses his family very much. Juliet is kind, but she also has a similar painful past to Aaman. Soon they find that they have much in common and begin to develop a deep friendship.
With all the political nonsense going on right now, I thought it was appropriate to read something from the illegal’s point of view. It’s an engaging and emotional story that could take place anywhere, but I really loved the Greek characters mixed with so many illegals from other countries. It gave this book authenticity and a human element that is heart-breaking in part, while being uplifting in how the characters heal from the experience.
Emotionally riveting and character driven, THE ILLEGAL GARDENER will make you think. I gasped at Juliet and Aaman’s sacrifices. From the excerpts included at the end of this book, I’m anxious to continue the series, especially to find out more about Marina the shopkeeper in book two, BLACK BUTTERFLIES.
I can easily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a softly literary story, enriched with tough choices and the healing aspects of working with your hands. It’s not an over-the-edge literary contemporary, so I think romance readers may like it for a change of pace.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Digital copy provided for free by the author in an Amazon promotion.
November 4, 2015
I loved the setting in a small Greek village and I loved the premise of the middle-aged English woman looking for a new start in life in a place she fell in love with 20 years earlier. And individually the characters were so promising: Juliet, the Brit who purchases the wonderful old run down farmhouse; Aaman, the Paskistani illegal looking to earn the money for a harvester for his village back home; Michelle the faithful friend who has stood by Juliet through so much. It was the interaction of these characters that seemed unrealistic and forced and, frankly, hard for me to swallow. Could Aaman and Juliet really develop the relationship they do in such a short time? Would Michelle honestly remain friends with someone she has not seen in 20 years and who never is the one who makes any contact?
My absolute favorite part of the book was the description of the village Easter festival. And the descriptions of the plight of the illegals was timely and interesting and sad. But that's not enough to make me want to read any more of the books in this series.
My absolute favorite part of the book was the description of the village Easter festival. And the descriptions of the plight of the illegals was timely and interesting and sad. But that's not enough to make me want to read any more of the books in this series.
April 27, 2018
A solid and slow-paced story which was a pleasant change from the intense and rollercoaster suspense thrillers I’ve been reading lately. There is a beautiful simplicity about this story.
In a world where people have become so self-absorbed, this story epitomizes human decency, a quality that is sorely needed.
However, I expected to be ‘soaked’ in the Greek experience where all the senses are overwhelmed... which did not really happen for me.
I wanted to give the story 4 stars BUT the author going in the direction of “maybe-more-than-a-good-friendship-between-the-two-characters” was a strange turn of events and left me disappointed. Why did the author do this?
Three-and-a-half stars for this story.
In a world where people have become so self-absorbed, this story epitomizes human decency, a quality that is sorely needed.
However, I expected to be ‘soaked’ in the Greek experience where all the senses are overwhelmed... which did not really happen for me.
I wanted to give the story 4 stars BUT the author going in the direction of “maybe-more-than-a-good-friendship-between-the-two-characters” was a strange turn of events and left me disappointed. Why did the author do this?
Three-and-a-half stars for this story.
February 14, 2020
This isn't easy to rate. I still haven't figured out if I really liked it or not. I don't dislike it as a whole, so there's that. (And this may mostly be a case of "didn't work for me" so I'm not trying to be too hard on the author)
I picked this up since it was free on Kindle and seemed like it might be a little bit interesting, if nothing else for the look at Greek culture, although unfortunately in the end I did not think it immersed you into Greek life as much as some reviewers seem to claim.
The writing style irritated me at times. Lots of telling, often boring and unnecessary details. Long periods with no dialogue and solitary characters, yet I didn't feel like we really got into their heads. When thoughts and feelings were told it read like a hard and cold statement. Past events are hinted at as they effect things in the present but revealed slowly and in disjointed bits and pieces in the beginning of the book. There were some of Aaman's actions that didn't make much sense and I hoped they would be explained later but they never were. I did feel a little more of a connection to the characters as the book progressed, somewhat along with the main characters becoming more open with each other, so there's that.
I'm not a romance fan and was hesitant to go on when I saw the topics listed on Goodreads, but it turns out that the "romance" is very light, almost nonexistent until you get towards the book's end, and even then nothing actually happens. Very mild spoilers ahead, in case you really want to go in knowing nothing:
So yeah. Not altogether horrible, I did enjoy it a little while reading, but likely to be forgotten now.
I picked this up since it was free on Kindle and seemed like it might be a little bit interesting, if nothing else for the look at Greek culture, although unfortunately in the end I did not think it immersed you into Greek life as much as some reviewers seem to claim.
The writing style irritated me at times. Lots of telling, often boring and unnecessary details. Long periods with no dialogue and solitary characters, yet I didn't feel like we really got into their heads. When thoughts and feelings were told it read like a hard and cold statement. Past events are hinted at as they effect things in the present but revealed slowly and in disjointed bits and pieces in the beginning of the book. There were some of Aaman's actions that didn't make much sense and I hoped they would be explained later but they never were. I did feel a little more of a connection to the characters as the book progressed, somewhat along with the main characters becoming more open with each other, so there's that.
I'm not a romance fan and was hesitant to go on when I saw the topics listed on Goodreads, but it turns out that the "romance" is very light, almost nonexistent until you get towards the book's end, and even then nothing actually happens. Very mild spoilers ahead, in case you really want to go in knowing nothing:
So yeah. Not altogether horrible, I did enjoy it a little while reading, but likely to be forgotten now.
February 10, 2022
Despite the title, The Illegal Gardener, you might think that a novel set in Greece has all the makings of a sweet romantic story. While Sara Alexi’s tale focuses on the development of a friendship between a middle-aged English woman and a younger Pakistani man, there is much more to it than that.
Amaan is a small man who has come to Greece illegally hoping to earn enough money to afford a harvesting machine for his village in Pakistan. He’s a hard worker who has left behind a wife; he barely makes enough to sleep in a run-down barn, where he must take his pick of the shelves that serve as beds for the immigrant laborers in the town. One day, he is fortunate to be hired to work in the cluttered garden of the English lady. Seeking to impress her so that he might be hired back the next day, he works extremely hard. The woman, Julia, is impressed by his work ethic, although not his demeanor. Nevertheless, she hires him back the following day.
Thus begins a tentative relationship – worker and employer. Immediately, we see distinct differences between the two individuals. Initially, is an uneasiness between them, and as a reader, I felt it too. The tone of the narration felt standoffish to me, and I had difficulty engaging. Aaman is anxious, overanxious, to please. He needs this job, so he oversteps his bounds and steps on Julia’s toes, as it were, as she perceives it. Does things he thinks need doing without being asked. She takes offense. We learn that Julia has been hurt in her marriage and in her childhood. She keeps people at a distance to avoid getting hurt again.
He is a poor, dark-skinned, undocumented man. She is a well off, British white female. They have obstacles to overcome such as language and cultural barriers, different customs and upbringings. It is Aaman who opens up first, and slowly, Julia sees the light. They discover commonalities that bring them together rather than set them apart. As a result, her entire outlook changes, and she becomes more open toward others in her life, toward more possibilities.
The evolution of their friendship is beautiful to behold. It happens through the daily events, the shared tasks of the day, and the kindnesses to one another. Suddenly, something happens that makes them both realize what they really have. No, it’s not what you might think, even though I wondered that too.
Except for the cool, detached tone at the start, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If only the world could have more Aamans and Julias, it would be a much happier place!
I must also add that there are some delightful non-human characters who visit Julia's property - stray cats who start out as unwanted "aliens" but soon become like family.
Thanks to Chris and to David for your enthusiastic reviews of The Illegal Gardener that nudged me toward picking this book.
4 stars
Amaan is a small man who has come to Greece illegally hoping to earn enough money to afford a harvesting machine for his village in Pakistan. He’s a hard worker who has left behind a wife; he barely makes enough to sleep in a run-down barn, where he must take his pick of the shelves that serve as beds for the immigrant laborers in the town. One day, he is fortunate to be hired to work in the cluttered garden of the English lady. Seeking to impress her so that he might be hired back the next day, he works extremely hard. The woman, Julia, is impressed by his work ethic, although not his demeanor. Nevertheless, she hires him back the following day.
Thus begins a tentative relationship – worker and employer. Immediately, we see distinct differences between the two individuals. Initially, is an uneasiness between them, and as a reader, I felt it too. The tone of the narration felt standoffish to me, and I had difficulty engaging. Aaman is anxious, overanxious, to please. He needs this job, so he oversteps his bounds and steps on Julia’s toes, as it were, as she perceives it. Does things he thinks need doing without being asked. She takes offense. We learn that Julia has been hurt in her marriage and in her childhood. She keeps people at a distance to avoid getting hurt again.
He is a poor, dark-skinned, undocumented man. She is a well off, British white female. They have obstacles to overcome such as language and cultural barriers, different customs and upbringings. It is Aaman who opens up first, and slowly, Julia sees the light. They discover commonalities that bring them together rather than set them apart. As a result, her entire outlook changes, and she becomes more open toward others in her life, toward more possibilities.
The evolution of their friendship is beautiful to behold. It happens through the daily events, the shared tasks of the day, and the kindnesses to one another. Suddenly, something happens that makes them both realize what they really have. No, it’s not what you might think, even though I wondered that too.
Except for the cool, detached tone at the start, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If only the world could have more Aamans and Julias, it would be a much happier place!
I must also add that there are some delightful non-human characters who visit Julia's property - stray cats who start out as unwanted "aliens" but soon become like family.
Thanks to Chris and to David for your enthusiastic reviews of The Illegal Gardener that nudged me toward picking this book.
4 stars
January 30, 2013
I loved the Illegal Gardener
What a great book! I couldn't put this down and am looking forward to more from this author. It's a character novel and the tension and interest is built through the interactions between the protagonists rather than with direct action, which I find much more skilfull and engaging.
I connected with and cared about the characters and went through a series of emotions, and cried at one point. This is a gentle, subtle book which nonetheless addresses some pretty weighty themes, touching on human frailty, love, life and fate.
Central to the theme of the book is the issue of how our place of birth dictates so much about how our life will pan out. The two main characters come from very different backgrounds, one wealthy and privileged and one dirt poor, but they both wind up in the same village and they discover that they are not sodifferent after all - life presents challenges to them equally, and along the way they both learn somethingabout themselves.
Maybe I'm biased being half Greek, but the descriptions of Greek village life that make up the backdrop of this lovely story really bring the tale to life and made me laugh out loud.
The humour that runs through this book beautifully offsets the difficult themes that it addresses.
Highly recommended!
What a great book! I couldn't put this down and am looking forward to more from this author. It's a character novel and the tension and interest is built through the interactions between the protagonists rather than with direct action, which I find much more skilfull and engaging.
I connected with and cared about the characters and went through a series of emotions, and cried at one point. This is a gentle, subtle book which nonetheless addresses some pretty weighty themes, touching on human frailty, love, life and fate.
Central to the theme of the book is the issue of how our place of birth dictates so much about how our life will pan out. The two main characters come from very different backgrounds, one wealthy and privileged and one dirt poor, but they both wind up in the same village and they discover that they are not sodifferent after all - life presents challenges to them equally, and along the way they both learn somethingabout themselves.
Maybe I'm biased being half Greek, but the descriptions of Greek village life that make up the backdrop of this lovely story really bring the tale to life and made me laugh out loud.
The humour that runs through this book beautifully offsets the difficult themes that it addresses.
Highly recommended!
July 16, 2012
The Illegal Gardener is evocative of sunny Greece where not everything is paradise and people's lives go down paths they didn't anticipate. Aaman and Juliet, the main characters of the story, find an unexpected harbour within their friendship. I love how this story is not stereotypical, but shows a fresh take on relationships and the lengths people will go for the ones they love. The writing is beautiful. You can almost smell the sea and feel the sun on your skin as you read. I'm highly impressed with this debut novel from an author I know I will return to again and again. This is Book One in the Greek Village Series, and I'm very much anticipating the next one. Well done! Highly recommended.
March 27, 2018
What a load of rubbish!
This book made me so angry! Not because anything was overtly wrong but because of all the little things that are just not OK anymore - it’s 2018 dammit. The book should have been named “The White Saviour” as the whole focus was on the privileged Western woman who saves the poor Punjab, his poor marriage and his poor little village.
Before reading this book I honestly thought I would gain some insight into what it’s like to be an illegal immigrant, but no, all I got were some weakly regurgitated stereotypes. The hardworking, humble, kind, subservient, ever grateful immigrant. What about someone with some real feeling? What about a real character for pity’s sake?!
Am I to believe that this man felt no anger? Felt no loneliness? Felt no resentment towards the protagonist or the world? No I was force fed an image of an “immigrant” as an immigrant should be. It is dehumanising and degrading. Why should they share their troubles as if they were at all comparable? Why should I not be disgusted with the emotional infidelity going on between the two?
I knew early on that this book was written by someone whose experience was so far removed from the reality that it was pointless to even think it would be insightful. I only wish I hadn’t bought this book.
This book made me so angry! Not because anything was overtly wrong but because of all the little things that are just not OK anymore - it’s 2018 dammit. The book should have been named “The White Saviour” as the whole focus was on the privileged Western woman who saves the poor Punjab, his poor marriage and his poor little village.
Before reading this book I honestly thought I would gain some insight into what it’s like to be an illegal immigrant, but no, all I got were some weakly regurgitated stereotypes. The hardworking, humble, kind, subservient, ever grateful immigrant. What about someone with some real feeling? What about a real character for pity’s sake?!
Am I to believe that this man felt no anger? Felt no loneliness? Felt no resentment towards the protagonist or the world? No I was force fed an image of an “immigrant” as an immigrant should be. It is dehumanising and degrading. Why should they share their troubles as if they were at all comparable? Why should I not be disgusted with the emotional infidelity going on between the two?
I knew early on that this book was written by someone whose experience was so far removed from the reality that it was pointless to even think it would be insightful. I only wish I hadn’t bought this book.
March 9, 2013
Anything about Greece attracts me so I picked up this book. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the deep environment created by the author. Having lived in Greece, I recognized all of the sights, smells, sounds and experiences of the small Greek village. What surprised me the most about the book was the depth of research concerning the ingenuity applied by poor illegal entrants to Europe to secure their transport to money earning destinations. Sometimes the present tense narrative annoyed me, but maybe I am a purest.The author also captured an aspect of Greece that is little discussed; namely, that Greece sits on the middle ground between East and West. Perhaps only in Greece could a friendship such as the warm relationship between Juliet, the main character, and Aaman, her houseboy be possible. Remarkably, for a story without suspense, I could not put this book down. I look forward to reading more of this new rising star.The Illegal Gardener
July 16, 2013
An absolute bore. So much so that I couldn't even finish it in a month and lost one of my free Kindle check-outs. The most exciting thing that happens is some stray cat has kittens.
Completely unbelievable and flat characters with absolutely no convincing connections. The main characters 'concern' comes across as patronizing and her new 'friend' comes across petrified of her and life in general.
I can't believe this is actually the first in a series. I can't believe I can't manage to write a book if this is what gets published these days.
Completely unbelievable and flat characters with absolutely no convincing connections. The main characters 'concern' comes across as patronizing and her new 'friend' comes across petrified of her and life in general.
I can't believe this is actually the first in a series. I can't believe I can't manage to write a book if this is what gets published these days.
August 15, 2013
I want to warn people that this book is essentially self-published: "Oneiro Press", haha! Oneiro means dream, I thought this book was a nightmare. Totally unabsorbing, badly written in the present tense, the characters recount long screeds of their personal history to each other... How it has attracted the number of positive comments it has is a total mystery, unless the result of a marketing campaign by friends of the author masquerading as readers. I simply don't believe them.
January 14, 2015
The first half of this book had flowing language and a conflict that was unique and tender. Cultural differences were highlighted. Some potential descriptions were glossed over. Then, the happy ending ruined the book.
October 15, 2016
Gostei deste livro. Num registo diferente é uma boa história sobre um refugiado e uma mulher de meia idade. Um bom momento de leitura.
November 7, 2012
This book is far from my normal genre. Lured by the blurb and the promise of a vividly written picture of Greek life, I was sold. Like the main character, I too lost my heart to the country and it's peoples and culture in my early twenties. True, it is a beautifully descriptive novel, and one can almost feel the warmth and smell the earth. But aside from the powerful imagery, lies a subtle and rather painful story that most westerners would rather not hear. As the borders to most western countries sag with illegal immigrants, we often ignore their individual plights over the enormity of the situation. Just this one, small and courageous character does help crystalize the plot, and whether the story is true of just one real immigrant, it must be at least close to the truth for thousands more. It is a touching and heartening story with a solid and believable ending; getting a five star high five from me for not adding a sexual theme and shattering a realistic relationship and cultural divides.
May 24, 2015
It promised so much but ultimately turned out to be so simplistic, predictable and Mills and Boon'ish - I could hardly bear to finish it. I cringed from one pat line to the next. Perhaps I missed something - may be there was a deeper message to be found. But all I saw was a UK borne and bred perspective on who foreigners are, how they think, what motivates them. I wonder where she did her research in this. Nothing seemed to hang true for me.
October 3, 2016
Duas personagens ,dois mundos destinos,dois traumas passados quase idênticos.
Prevalece a cima de tudo o companheirismos entre o casal da historia,de uma escrita simples este romance levo me a bonita aldeia da Grécia.
Prevalece a cima de tudo o companheirismos entre o casal da historia,de uma escrita simples este romance levo me a bonita aldeia da Grécia.
June 4, 2017
I liked the premise of this novel, and it was a rather sweet story. However, I felt that the plot was so contrived as to be completely unbelievable. The intimacy and friendship between the main characters developed too quickly and overcame social and emotional obstacles that should have be insurmountable.
July 13, 2014
It had promise... But had major flaws: 1. written entirely in present tense!!! 2. Horrible dialog 3. Obvious and distracting editing errors. Good plot and theme could not make up for that.
January 4, 2015
An English woman Juliet who is depressed after a nasty divorce decides on impulse to sell her home in England and buys a dilapidated farmhouse in a tiny Greek village in the Peloponnese. The house is livable by local standards but the job of restoring the garden is too big for just Juliet. She hires Aaman who had travelled to Greece from Pakistan illegally. He came to Greece looking for work to raise money to buy a harvester for his Village. His Village hopes the harvester will deliver them from poverty.
The English Juliet, who has the money and a valid passport, resents the intrusion even though she wants her garden cleared. Aaman needs the work and the money but resents the humiliation. He comes from a culture where women take the back seat. He takes offense at having to take orders from a woman.
The first part of the book nothing much actually happens. In the second half of the book something happens to Aaman (I won’t spoil it and tell you what happens) which forces Juliet to examine her own feelings. She takes responsibility of ‘saving Aaman’. The ending sets up for the next book in the series.
The book is easy to read, written in fairly short sentences but avoids being too stop/start. The character development is well done and their histories and the way they unfold are captivating. The book is well worth getting if you want a change of pace, because it’s certainly undemanding. The series has a huge potential if the author keeps developing the theme. The story provides a compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general. The book does make one stop and evaluate the status in the world of the illegal immigration problem.
This is a good story about relationships and perseverance. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Suzanne Heathcote narrated the book.
The English Juliet, who has the money and a valid passport, resents the intrusion even though she wants her garden cleared. Aaman needs the work and the money but resents the humiliation. He comes from a culture where women take the back seat. He takes offense at having to take orders from a woman.
The first part of the book nothing much actually happens. In the second half of the book something happens to Aaman (I won’t spoil it and tell you what happens) which forces Juliet to examine her own feelings. She takes responsibility of ‘saving Aaman’. The ending sets up for the next book in the series.
The book is easy to read, written in fairly short sentences but avoids being too stop/start. The character development is well done and their histories and the way they unfold are captivating. The book is well worth getting if you want a change of pace, because it’s certainly undemanding. The series has a huge potential if the author keeps developing the theme. The story provides a compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general. The book does make one stop and evaluate the status in the world of the illegal immigration problem.
This is a good story about relationships and perseverance. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Suzanne Heathcote narrated the book.
June 9, 2014
I'm not sure what compelled me to read this novel. While the premise is somewhat interesting (and hints at something possibly steamy) it's not exactly the kind of novel I rush out to read. But it was cheap and sounded somewhat promising so I bought it.
It was a good novel. Not anything tremendous. Not good enough to warrant reading follow up novels, but good in that it mostly held my interest. That I didn't hate the characters. It even warranted a vocal sigh when I reached the end, a sigh of contentment that the story ended on a high note.
The Illegal Gardener was heavy on the characterizations...which I do enjoy. I like learning about characters, and their psyches...even if they are entirely made up characters...but in this case I felt a teeny bit cheated out on more descriptions of the setting. I mean, if the setting wasn't important, this book could have just as easily took place nondescript location...but it takes place in Greece and that fact does play a pivitol role...but there is a disappointing lack of descriptions. I never really managed to get a sense of where the characters were. I don't need a repeat of Correlli's Mandolin...but still, I would have loved to get a sense of the country...a country I've never visited, but have read a fair bit about, thanks to a lit class I took back in college.
Still, the characters did make up for the lack of setting description...enough so that when I heard about the siege at one of Pakistan's airports, I felt an odd sense of sadness that was no doubt remnets of my time spent with Aaman.
It was a good novel. Not anything tremendous. Not good enough to warrant reading follow up novels, but good in that it mostly held my interest. That I didn't hate the characters. It even warranted a vocal sigh when I reached the end, a sigh of contentment that the story ended on a high note.
The Illegal Gardener was heavy on the characterizations...which I do enjoy. I like learning about characters, and their psyches...even if they are entirely made up characters...but in this case I felt a teeny bit cheated out on more descriptions of the setting. I mean, if the setting wasn't important, this book could have just as easily took place nondescript location...but it takes place in Greece and that fact does play a pivitol role...but there is a disappointing lack of descriptions. I never really managed to get a sense of where the characters were. I don't need a repeat of Correlli's Mandolin...but still, I would have loved to get a sense of the country...a country I've never visited, but have read a fair bit about, thanks to a lit class I took back in college.
Still, the characters did make up for the lack of setting description...enough so that when I heard about the siege at one of Pakistan's airports, I felt an odd sense of sadness that was no doubt remnets of my time spent with Aaman.
May 11, 2013
If you love the slow paced life of the seacoast or have ever dreamed of chucking it all for an idyllic life in a tiny village on some far-away island, DO NOT READ the first book in this lovely series or you may find yourself packing up your treasured belongings and buying a one-way airplane ticket! The rich descriptions of the everyday lives of these charming characters grab you and make you feel as though you are walking down the cobblestone paths with them.
I downloaded the second in the series before I could miss the smells of the sea, rains, and fruits of the native surroundings....
I dare you not to pour a glass of something quenching as you settle in for a sweet, quaint and wonderful story of friendships, changes and moving on.
This one was hard to put down...
I downloaded the second in the series before I could miss the smells of the sea, rains, and fruits of the native surroundings....
I dare you not to pour a glass of something quenching as you settle in for a sweet, quaint and wonderful story of friendships, changes and moving on.
This one was hard to put down...
June 26, 2013
I liked this more than I thought I would. It was not what I expected either. I downloaded it thinking I was getting something like "Under the Tuscan Sun". It was a little deeper and darker. Very well written. I could feel the sun and heat and see the scenes vividly. Enjoyed the ending as well. It takes courage to forego the "happily-ever-after, girl gets her man" formula and still have a satisfying ending. Enjoyable.
"They are so tightly packed, they shuffle as one, as if boiling, centres of calm and edges that break away in little flurries."
-description of throng of people at church.
"They are so tightly packed, they shuffle as one, as if boiling, centres of calm and edges that break away in little flurries."
-description of throng of people at church.
December 6, 2019
Two people meet in Greece. One an illegal immigrant from Pakistan who has come looking to help his family and village, one an expat from England leaving her life behind after her divorce and looking for a new life. The author shows that if we can take a leap of faith and put aside our prejudices there is so much we can learn from our differences and in the long run how much we are all alike. The two people in this story also learn so much about themselves and in doing so face the things that have troubled them most of their lives. They learn to face down their own problems by helping each other and coming out the other side as better people.
March 18, 2018
Sara Alexi's books are always amazing.
February 20, 2021
A charming story of understanding, friendship and love growing between two people, Juliet and Aaman, from completely different backgrounds, cultures and class. Its a love story but not a romance,.
Juliet has run away (though she won't admit it) to Greece, bought a house and now needs help to clean it up. Aaman is an illegal immigrant from Pakistan, invisible to the people except as an expendable worker, living day to day for the next meal.
He helps Juliet sort out her house, and in turn change her perspective, her own life while she gives him new opportunities to improve his life and help his family.
The Flaws:
Writing in present tense, which really got in the way of reading experience for a few chapters and gave everything a stilted feeling. I got used to it eventually but I still disliked it. It felt almost like reading a playscript.
Very one dimensional in its characterisation, which meant character's stories were not as easy to connect to though I wanted to. Again a bit like a playscript.
The weird one sided friendship the Juliet had with Michelle that was never truly explained, ie. nobody is that bloody altruistic enough to keep in contact for 22 years with a friend who rejects you at every turn.. unless you have mental issues? And it just wasn't written very deeply so never felt like a real friendship even after the reparations.
So if it had just been a story about Juliet and her journey of self discovery in Greece after leaving a controlling marriage.. It would have been extremely empty and boring. Her horrible past was pretty sad, but it was only in reflection to Aaman's warmth.
The Pros:
The starkness of Aamans illegal immigrant situation, the sweet simplicity his poor background and his attempt to understand Juliet and her grieving and give her depth through their shared stories of the past which had scarred them was what truly captured me. The give and take of their relationship. Juliet became more alive when she was interacting with Aaman.
It was moving and endearing.
I'm also glad at the ending. It was fitting.The prose wasnt bad either it just didn't feel well written or deep because of the present tense. Which is a shame.
Its been a couple days since I read this, trying to turn things over in my mind and though the flaws to this book put me off, the depiction of Aaman's story and character is what was worth giving the 4 stars in the end.
Juliet has run away (though she won't admit it) to Greece, bought a house and now needs help to clean it up. Aaman is an illegal immigrant from Pakistan, invisible to the people except as an expendable worker, living day to day for the next meal.
He helps Juliet sort out her house, and in turn change her perspective, her own life while she gives him new opportunities to improve his life and help his family.
The Flaws:
Writing in present tense, which really got in the way of reading experience for a few chapters and gave everything a stilted feeling. I got used to it eventually but I still disliked it. It felt almost like reading a playscript.
Very one dimensional in its characterisation, which meant character's stories were not as easy to connect to though I wanted to. Again a bit like a playscript.
The weird one sided friendship the Juliet had with Michelle that was never truly explained, ie. nobody is that bloody altruistic enough to keep in contact for 22 years with a friend who rejects you at every turn.. unless you have mental issues? And it just wasn't written very deeply so never felt like a real friendship even after the reparations.
So if it had just been a story about Juliet and her journey of self discovery in Greece after leaving a controlling marriage.. It would have been extremely empty and boring. Her horrible past was pretty sad, but it was only in reflection to Aaman's warmth.
The Pros:
The starkness of Aamans illegal immigrant situation, the sweet simplicity his poor background and his attempt to understand Juliet and her grieving and give her depth through their shared stories of the past which had scarred them was what truly captured me. The give and take of their relationship. Juliet became more alive when she was interacting with Aaman.
It was moving and endearing.
I'm also glad at the ending. It was fitting.The prose wasnt bad either it just didn't feel well written or deep because of the present tense. Which is a shame.
Its been a couple days since I read this, trying to turn things over in my mind and though the flaws to this book put me off, the depiction of Aaman's story and character is what was worth giving the 4 stars in the end.
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