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The Greek For Love: Life, Love and Loss in Corfu
Part memoir, part love story, part wildly scenic travel piece, 'The Greek for Love' is James Chatto's account of life on Corfu, recalling the idyllic lifestyle and hospitable reception of the islanders.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Beautifully written and some wonderful descriptions of views. Having visited Greece a few times, I could really imagine the scenes of rural life.
I won't give away any spoliers, but the ending was certainly emotional.
I won't give away any spoliers, but the ending was certainly emotional.
June 2, 2015
Steta sto je autor davno resio da ne pise beletristiku. Topla, zivotna prica od koje nisam nista ocekivala (mislila sam na osnovu korica i grckog naslova da je u pitanju neka laganica o letnjoj avanturi). Autobiografska prica o preseljenju (Engleza i Kanadjanke) na Krf, mentalitetu mestana, uklapanju u sredinu, lepim i teskim trenucima autorove porodice. Predivan recnik, pravo uzivanje!
(U grckom prevodu Το Σ'αγαπώ στα Ελληνικά)
(U grckom prevodu Το Σ'αγαπώ στα Ελληνικά)
May 14, 2022
4.5 stars.
This book ripped my heart out. I literally sobbed and sobbed. I can't remember the last time a book got to me this much. What a beautiful, heartwrenching story.
When I first started reading, I felt irrationally jealous of the author and his fairly new-at-the-time partner, Wendy. Maybe it's the benefit of hindsight, but everything was written if it was so easy. Two people from vastly different backgrounds and countries meet, fall in love, and take a vacation on an off-the-beaten-path Greek island that seems at first like it's going to be a disaster. But no, they fall in love with the island too, and before the reader can blink, they're shuttering their lives in Canada and England and moving to Greece. Oh, and they get married first, almost as an afterthought. Two beautiful blonde sons soon follow to complete the family.
Sometimes the story meandered slowly, and seemed more an account of an elaborate renovation or a slice-of-life essay that anything else, but unbeknownst to me, Chatto was setting us up for a huge, devastating shock. When it came, I was shattered. I can't even imagine how he and his family got through this, and from that moment on, I literally couldn't put the book down. I cried through the rest--damn, I'm still crying now. I guess, more than anything, this little book shows that, no matter what your plans, life has its own and can still always surprise you--in both good ways and bad.
Thank you for shining this light on your beautiful island in Greece, James. I'm so sorry for your loss. x
This book ripped my heart out. I literally sobbed and sobbed. I can't remember the last time a book got to me this much. What a beautiful, heartwrenching story.
When I first started reading, I felt irrationally jealous of the author and his fairly new-at-the-time partner, Wendy. Maybe it's the benefit of hindsight, but everything was written if it was so easy. Two people from vastly different backgrounds and countries meet, fall in love, and take a vacation on an off-the-beaten-path Greek island that seems at first like it's going to be a disaster. But no, they fall in love with the island too, and before the reader can blink, they're shuttering their lives in Canada and England and moving to Greece. Oh, and they get married first, almost as an afterthought. Two beautiful blonde sons soon follow to complete the family.
Sometimes the story meandered slowly, and seemed more an account of an elaborate renovation or a slice-of-life essay that anything else, but unbeknownst to me, Chatto was setting us up for a huge, devastating shock. When it came, I was shattered. I can't even imagine how he and his family got through this, and from that moment on, I literally couldn't put the book down. I cried through the rest--damn, I'm still crying now. I guess, more than anything, this little book shows that, no matter what your plans, life has its own and can still always surprise you--in both good ways and bad.
Thank you for shining this light on your beautiful island in Greece, James. I'm so sorry for your loss. x
April 2, 2017
I spent time in Greece in the 1980s and was quite interested in this book. As I read it certainly brought back fond memories. At the time I too contemplated living in Greece but never managed it, even though my family began in a similar fashion. It is a beautiful and enjoyable tale of remembrance, but as the subtitle states, "a memoir of Sorrow and Joy" so the subtitle haunted me throughout (but no spoiler here). Read and find out for oneself.
July 24, 2016
OMG what a book!!! The first half is a wonderful, happy story of living life in Greece. The second half is equally good, but have a box of tissues on hand!!!
This book will bring laughter and tears to anyone who's ever been a traveler, parent, dreamer, explorer, partner or human!!
This book will bring laughter and tears to anyone who's ever been a traveler, parent, dreamer, explorer, partner or human!!
June 25, 2013
A beautiful book
December 18, 2013
Account of the author's few years on Corfu. Tastefully restrained writing. Left me curious about this wonderful island and its inhabitants.
March 27, 2014
James Chatto joined us at Kingston WritersFest 2010. You can read more about James and the Festival here: www.kingstonwritersfest.ca
January 18, 2015
A beautiful book of how one couples life changes as their holiday to Corfu turns into their new life. Beautifully written
February 10, 2015
Story of a new life, moving to a village in Corfu. Takes you back to a traditional and laid back way of life
Really enjoyed this at the time
Really enjoyed this at the time
November 6, 2019
Best book I’ve read in a while. The prose is beautiful (and I got to use my dictionary); his metaphors elegant and embedded. The storyline was perfectly balanced between facts and relationship; it was transparent and open without being needy or defensive. It was exactly what a love to read - a telling of a life story, an open window to understanding how another person has experienced life. James and Wendy are lives worth exploring; their zeal for life, their ability to create and enjoy beauty even with back-breaking labour, their devotion to mastering their craft and finding success with it, and their commitment to each other and their family.
It leaves you wanting more, as I find myself imagining the the story from Wendy’s perspective....
It leaves you wanting more, as I find myself imagining the the story from Wendy’s perspective....
September 20, 2024
This book completely transports you into the tranquility of the coast and countryside of Greece. Reading this book feels as if you are strolling through the olive groves yourself. I loved every detail of the home renovation project, and felt every moment of happiness and heartbreak alongside the author.
September 3, 2018
happy then very sad, well written.. thank you James Chatto
August 10, 2023
An interesting read, but laborious with the print way too small for these old eyes!
December 30, 2020
A wonderful book.
July 4, 2016
A good summer read
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews