La Jeune fille sous l'olivier

by Leah Fleming, Laurence Videloup (Translator)

May1941 and the island of Crete is invaded by paratroopers from the air. After a lengthy fight, thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers are forced to take to the hills or become escaping PoWs, sheltered by the Cretan villagers.

Sixty years later, Lois West and her young son, Alex, invite feisty Great Aunt Pen to a special eighty-fifth birthday celebration on Crete, knowing she has not been back there since the war.

Penelope George - formerly Giorgidiou - is reluctant to go but is persuaded by the fact it is the 60th anniversary of the Battle. It is time for her to return and make the journey she never thought she'd dare to. On the outward voyage from Athens, she relives her experiences in the city from her early years as a trainee nurse to those last dark days stranded on the island, the last female foreigner.

When word spreads of her visit, and old Cretan friends and family come to greet her, Lois and Alex are caught up in her epic pilgrimage and the journey which leads her to a reunion with the friend she thought she had lost forever - and the truth behind a secret buried deep in the past...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Greece, Romance, Book Club, World War II, Historical

600 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Leah Fleming was born in Lancashire and is married with three sons and a daughter. She writes from an old farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales and an olive grove in Crete.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com.a...

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone else hit the nail on the head with their review of this book which, basically, stated that the bones of this novel were good but that the execution was average. That's about right for me. I liked it. But, there were too many moments for me that were either 'meh' or eye-rolling. Definitely did not dislike it though, far from it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Not only is it set on Crete, a place I hold dear, but it is set against the backdrop of the Second World War so the reader gets a real feel for the place both then and now.
It doesn’t just tell the story from the protagonist’s point of view but we get to read Penelope Georgiou’s story as she returns to Crete in her later years for a holiday with her great niece and her son. As we flash back we also hear the stories of the locals, the resistance fighters and cleverly from the German point of view too. As people return for the memorial weekend, we find out what really happened all those years ago and how people close to Penny fared. It is incredibly moving and a story that I wanted to go on and on. My only complaint is that I wish I’d written this book!!!!

[Πάνος Τουρλής · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ένα καλογραμμένο βιβλίο για τη Μάχη της Κρήτης και για τον έρωτα που μπορεί να φυτρώσει ακόμη κι όταν οι συνθήκες δεν είναι κατάλληλες. Ένα μεγάλο, χορταστικό βιβλίο για την Πηνελόπη (Πένι) Τζωρτζ (ή Γεωργίου), μια κοπέλα που γύρισε την πλάτη της στην αριστοκρατία της Σκοτίας και στις παρελάσεις των ντεμπιντάντ για να γίνει αρχαιολόγος στην Αθήνα της δεκαετίας του 1930 και να αφοσιωθεί στον Ερυθρό Σταυρό με το ξέσπασμα του πολέμου.

Ομολογώ ότι το ύφος και το στυλ του κειμένου δεν είναι κακό, δηλαδή αν θέλετε απλώς να έχετε ένα βιβλίο που να γράφει ωραίες περιπέτειες, να περνά ωραία μηνύματα για την ειρήνη και τον έρωτα και για να το θυμάστε καιρό μετά που το διαβάσατε το συνιστώ. Από κει και πέρα όμως η ιστορία της Πένυ ήταν ΠΟΛΥ αναλυτική, διεξοδική και εκτεταμένη που ειλικρινά αν ήταν γραμμένο αλλιώς θα το παρατούσα. Φυσικά δε συγκρίνεται με το Νησί της Χίσλοπ ούτε ως προς την πλοκή ούτε ως προς τη συγγραφική ικανότητα. Είναι δύο διαφορετικά βιβλία, με διαφορετικό περιεχόμενο και διαφορετικά μηνύματα.

Το βιβλίο ξεκινάει με τις συνήθειες της βρετανικής αριστοκρατίας, τα τσάγια, τους φιλανθρωπικούς χορούς, τις ντεμπιντάντ και λέω: "Ωχ, τι βρήκαμε να διαβάσουμε πάλι!" Ευτυχώς κατάλαβα ότι δεν είναι αυτός ο σκοπός του βιβλίου, απλά η συγγραφέας ήθελε να μας δείξει τι παράτησε η ηρωική Πένυ για να ασχοληθεί με τα βρώμικα χώματα της αρχαιολογίας αρχικά και με τα μολυσμένα, εμετικά τραύματα και παραμορφώσεις του πολέμου κατόπιν. Ωραία η αναπαράσταση της εποχής, ωραίες οι συνήθειες και η καθημερινότητα στη Βρετανική Αρχαιολογική Σχολή και τις ανασκαφές της και πιστότατη η αναπαράσταση της Μάχης της Κρήτης και η Κατοχή του νησιού.

Όταν φτάνουμε στο κυρίως μέρος του βιβλίου, την Κρήτη, περιγράφονται σκηνές ηρωισμού, αυτοθυσίας, αγωνίας, περιπέτειας, αδικίας, σε γεμίζουν αισθήματα οι εικόνες που σου χαρίζει απλόχερα η συγγραφέας. Υπερβολικά πολλές σκηνές μαχών, τραυματισμών, πολλές ανατροπές ως προς τον ρόλο της Πένι στα μετόπισθεν και τα κόλπα που σκεφτόταν για να ξεγελά τους Γερμανούς κατακτητές. Η κολλητή της φίλη, Γιολάντα, Ελληνο-εβραία και νοσοκόμα, είναι η αφορμή για τη συγγραφέα να ξεδιπλώσει την πονεμένη ιστορία και των Εβραίων επί Κατοχής, τα βασανιστήρια, τον ευτελισμό και τις μαζικές απελάσεις προς Νταχάου.

Το βιβλίο θα το εγκατέλειπα, όπως προείπα, όμως έχουμε έναν έξυπνο χειρισμό του υλικού: όλη αυτήν την ιστορία τη θυμάται η Πένι σήμερα, στα βαθιά της γεράματα, όπου επέστρεψε στην Αγγλία μετά από πολύχρονη παραμονή και βοήθεια στην Αφρική, κι όλα αυτά με αφορμή την πρόσκληση της ανηψιάς της να επιστρέψουν στην Κρήτη για να παραβρεθούν στον εορτασμό της Μάχης της Κρήτης. Η Πένι, διστακτικά στην αρχή, πηγαίνει στα Χανιά για την επέτειο και κάθε στενό που περπατά, κάθε σπίτι που βλέπει, της θυμίζει τραγικά πράγματα. Αισιόδοξη νότα η Γιολάντα, με την οποία ξαναβρίσκονται ύστερα από τόσα χρόνια! Παράλληλα με την Πένι φτάνει στην Κρήτη και ο Ράινερ Μπρεχτ για να βρεθεί αντιμέτωπος με τους δικούς του εφιάλτες. Ο Μπρεχτ ήταν από τους επικεφαλής αξιωματικούς της Γερμανικής Κατοχής στην Κρήτη και έχει συνδεθεί στενά με την Πηνελόπη. Το πώς και το γιατί και αν θα ξαναβρεθούν ύστερα από τόσα χρόνια σας αφήνω να το ανακαλύψετε μόνοι σας!

Το βιβλίο το συστήνω γιατί είναι καλογραμμένο, γιατί είναι λεπτομερέστατο ως προς τα ιστορικά στοιχεία για την Κρήτη και τα δύσκολα χρόνια της Κατοχής, γιατί χειρίζεται έξυπνα την υπόθεση και γιατί έχουμε έναν ωραίο έρωτα μεταξύ πρωταγωνιστών αλλά είναι τόσο δύσκολος, τόσο αντίθετος σε ιδανικά και ιδεώδη που ξεδιπλώνεται μετ' εμποδίων και ξεφεύγει αρκετά από τα τεριμμένα σιροπιάσματα των μυθιστορημάτων! Στα μειονεκτήματα του βιβλίου ο υπερβολικά μεγάλος αριθμός τυπογραφικών και ορθογραφικών λαθών που δε συνάδει με την ποιότητα των εκδόσεων Ψυχογιός.

Στα ελληνικά από τον Ψυχογιό το 2013.

[Sadurninenca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novela histórica ambientada en la Segunda Guerra Mundial y concretamente con la invasión de la isla de Creta. Al comienzo de la guerra Penélope, una chica inglesa de padre griego, se va a Grecia y se une a la Cruz Roja como enfermera. El libro nos narra la amistad de Penélope con una chica judía que también trabaja de enfermera, la resistencia cretense, la gente del pueblo, los alemanes, los aliados, los judíos, la familia, el amor y el espíritu combativo. Está muy bien ambientada. Me ha resultado una lectura muy satisfactoria.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this. The book has such good ratings. I actually think the premise of the story is very promising. But oh, the writing! This book is just not for me. It reads like a first novel. Way too much explanation, too little story telling in the classic sense. The tale is just not spun.

This would make a fine TV mini series and I think that would improve on its short comings. I am reminded of The Thornbirds, which I actually enjoyed reading at the time. The Thornbirds was a very popular book, and people were swept away by the romance and sense of place. In this book however, I find myself huffing every few sentences, impatient for some more lyrical, more sensual (taste, color, sound, texture) passages. I feel I am continually pulled away from these characters by explanation. Alas, I can not recommend.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts in 2001 as Penelope is undecided about facing her fears and going back to Crete where she endured "the best and worst of times indeed, savage cruelty, suffering, hunger and yet it was also the time of my life, a time filled with the exhilaration of danger and the overwhelming kindness of strangers. There were many things about that time that I could never tell anyone."

When she finally makes the journey with her family the story travels back and forth in time and we slowly build up a picture of Penelope's extraordinary life during the Second World War on Crete, of how she originally fled there from her home in Scotland to escape her mother's hopes of her marrying a title, when all she wanted was to be an archaeologist.

When Penelope helped an elderly Jewish man who had been beaten and robbed in the street she met her friend Yolanda and, together, they joined the Red Cross. She felt more at home in Greece than in England and when war broke out she helped the wounded soldiers.

It is then that her extraordinary story is told, some in flashbacks to her family, and some she keeps to herself.

I also found it interesting to hear another side of the story told from one of the German officers who were there at the same time as Penelope and who also travels to the 60th anniversary.

This story is about how ordinary people coped in difficult and challenging circumstances, how they lived and died, about courage, uncertainty and hope, good times and bad times and how they fell in love during the most appalling conditions they had to endure.

Penelope was a fabulous character, she was warm, brave, loyal, feisty and incredibly likeable.

Not a light and easy book to read as it deals with a sad subject, but I really enjoyed it and, particularly the latter part, I could not put it down.

From Carole's Book Corner

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

RELAZIONI TUTTE "SBAGLIATE"

Il mio giudizio favorevole su Leah Fleming, fondato essenzialmente sulla lettura de "La strada in fondo al mare", era evidentemente errato. Questo suo romanzo, dalla trama ripetitiva e dal finale inconcludente, è infatti tutto "sbagliato" dal punto di vista delle relazioni: il rapporto tra Penelope e sua nipote è affrontato con una superficialità vergognosa, quello con Rainer si riduce ad una presunta alchimia e ad un one-night stand, mentre tra lei e Bruce (l'amore della sua vita) la chimica è palesemente nulla. Una lettura che avrei potuto tranquillamente risparmiarmi.

[Abc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solo a me la protagonista è stata antipatica dall'inizio alla fine?

[Debby Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Cross nurses in WW2 in Crete, Partisans and more in this historic account. I was there on holiday for a week, but this book will last me a lifetime.

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 αστεράκια για αυτό το πολύ συμπαθητικό βιβλίο! Καλογραμμένο, διαβάζεται πολύ ευχάριστα και οι περιγραφές των μαχών και του πολέμου δεν κουράζουν αφού είναι συνυφασμένες με την ζωή των ηρώων του βιβλίου και υποστηρίζουν την ιστορία και την πλοκή.
Αυτό πολυ μου άρεσε πολύ είναι οι περιγραφές της Κρήτης, των ανθρώπων της, της νοοτροπίας τους και του αγώνα που έδωσαν κατά των Γερμανών. Μάλιστα, επειδή το βιβλίο είναι γραμμένο από μια Βρεττανίδα η οπτική γωνία του είναι πιο απομακρυσμένη από αυτή ενός έλληνα συγγραφέα και δίνει άλλη θεώρηση της κατάστασης, όχι μόνο αναφορικά με τη Μάχη της Κρήτης αλλά και με τον εμφύλιο πόλεμο που μας στοίχειωσε μετά. Αγαπώ πολύ, κλείνοντας ένα βιβλίο να μου έχει μείνει έστω και μια γνώση που δεν είχα πριν και το βιβλίο αυτό το κατάφερε, αφηνοντάς μου μια εικόνα με δυο πλευρές: της ρημαγμένης αλλά πάντοτε άγριας και ελεύθερης Κρήτης και η δεύτερη του τόπου όπως είναι σήμερα και είναι πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες οι διαφορές και η εξέλιξη.

[AnoukLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une histoire magnifique sur un pays qui fut malmené par une guerre dévastatrice. Au milieu de cet effroi, une femme lumineuse et pleine d'espoir. Un récit poignant, renversant et absolument sublime sur une époque qui fit nombreux morts et chagrins...

[Linda Amos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penelope was dead set against taking part in The Season, she isn't interested in being a debutante. She goes to Athens and stays with her sister who is married to an embassy employee. She takes first aid training with another girl which proves useful when her sister miscarries. Pen really wants to get into archeology but after spending time with an excellent teacher she decides it's not for her. She furthers her medical training despite her family's instructions to return home. Then war comes to Greece and Pen remains as a Red Cross nurse, hoping that her half-Greek heritage will protect her.
The author hasn't shied away from the brutality of war but they are kept at a distance and very little details is given. For some reason I couldn't get into this book, guess it's not for me at this time.

[Lesley Ridden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any lovers of crete

A thoroughly captivating book, anyone who loves Crete will enjoy. A dreadful era, but still enthralling.
One that I know I shall return to.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow and I didn’t love the writing style.

[Raymond Hey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, really enjoyed it

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah Fleming is becoming one of my favourite authors with her novels set in a dramatic period of history. This one is about the Battle of Crete during WW2 and the Red Cross nurses as well as the lives of the Cretans, particularly the Jewish Cretans, during the conflict.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Under The Olive Tree by Leah Fleming is both a contemporary and historical tale. It is set in Greece and Crete during the World War II years and 2001. It is an epic story of love and loss, friends and enemies, good and evil. The Mediterranean atmosphere is evoked by Leah Fleming's use of language. The reader can almost 'feel' the heat. There is both beauty and horror in the landscape "How could there be such devastation on such a beautiful day?"
The story focuses on two brave Red Cross nurses. Their job was to heal the wounded regardless of their nationality. "I have taken vows to nurse all sick, no matter what their nation or religion."
There are no winners in war. In every country mothers lose their sons. "Soldiers are the same under the skin, only the uniform marks them as different." Soldiers have to follow their orders. For some, living side by side with the 'enemy' means lines are blurred. People are people no matter what their race or religion. War is distasteful. People matter.
There is a love story bubbling away beneath the surface. There is a love triangle as war throws people together. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring means that sometimes unlikely alliances are formed.
Leah Fleming shows that in war normal life tries to continue - people work, they marry, they have children. And side by side there is the extraordinary bravery of men and women in the resistance fighting for their homeland.
The novel alternates between the two time periods. The story is told in the third person except for when it is Penelope's viewpoint in 2001 and then it is in the first person.
Leah Fleming has clearly researched the fight for Greece. There are many small and intimate details included in the story.
It was an epic and bittersweet tale that has left me feeling conflictingly sad and also peaceful and nostalgic on Penelope's behalf. Leah Fleming writes with such artistry that the reader 'feels' what Penelope feels, and 'sees' and 'experiences' what she does.
The Girl Under The Olive Tree is a powerful read. It is hauntingly beautiful at times whilst showing the horrors and futility of war. I can highly recommend it.

[Monique Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the full review see http://writenotereviews.wordpress.com...

There were lots of things to love about this book, ranging from a compelling and emotive plot to strongly-drawn characters that leapt from the pages. However, what stood out for me was the focus on the changes occurring for women, both in Britain and abroad. In Penny and Yolande, Fleming depicted two strong female characters who resisted the shackles of their families, religion and broader society, to live lives that were true to themselves. I loved the friendship between them and how this was resolved at the end. It was interesting that Penny’s life back in England remained true to the independence she fought for and won, but I wondered briefly how happy she was with the choices she made after her return – this period of her life is left undeveloped.

The relationship between Lois and Penny, great niece and great aunt, was a lovely touch, and with Lois’s young son, Alex, thrown in, there’s a touching inter-generational connection – the elder passing down stories to the younger. I’m glad Penny didn’t have to fade away and become invisible as she aged – her importance to Lois was clear. The sub-plot involving Penny and the German officer was resolved in a realistic and dare I say, hopeful, way that carries the story off the page … and you know that when you stop reading the story will continue somewhere.

From an historical perspective, this ticked all the right boxes for me. Informative, but not dry or preachy; memories touched with colour and emotion, but not nostalgic. My knowledge of events on Crete during WWII is sparse, to say the least, and I enjoyed the chance to learn more wartime in this area. Fleming is gifted at creating a sense of place – she took me with her on Penny’s travels and plonked me right in the middle of the action. Beautifully done.

I loved this book and recommend it highly – I’ll be adding Fleming’s backlist to my TBR pile.

This copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. The synopsis sounded good but in truth, I expected it to be a light touch historical novel based around romance. What I read was something very different. The plot was intriguing, the writing so detailed and moving and rich in history about Crete’s struggle during the war. The romance was there but the story dovetailed this beautifully, without using it to overcome a lazy plot. I cared deeply about the characters and really didn’t want the book to end.

[Marina Maidou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another writer in Victoria Hislop's path that says an interesting story with rich descriptions of the cretan nature which I found truthfully and charming as is my second favour greek place, Crete island. The title is clever, you find its meaning in the book, it's not just a poetic view of Greece. The cover is beatiful and sunny, it reminds me the touristic post cards you find in the greek antiques shops (in the greek edition unfortunatelly there are olives with a strange blonde woman with a large collar which makes me believe that I'm going to read about French Huguenots!). There is a love story but in a so abstract way that you miss the real one, when it's almost late (not saying more because of spoilers). Characters that I liked, usual beginning and a unusual good end. Things I didn't like? No-one. Things they confuse me? Well, I think there was so much and so fast changing of narrators. They didn't leave me in peace to realise what I was reading: From Pen in first person to Pen in third person, then to Rainer in first person, in a way that the mystery looses its power. I also understand that being a nurse was a main element of the plot for Rose, but I didn't find real that she had this switch from the complete love she had about arcaeology from her childhood. See more of her novels, after the unique interesting I found in this writer's stories.

[Georgette Nanou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Μέτριο βιβλίο με μία κουραστική πλοκή που ίσως να φταίει και η μετάφραση.Η ροή πολύ αργή εκτός,ίσως προς το τέλος της ιστορίας που είχε ενδιαφέρον και συγκίνηση.Οι εικόνες όμως που σου δημιουργούνται είναι ζωντανές και εάν γυριζόταν σε ταινία να ήταν πολύ πιο ενδιαφέρουσα και συναρπαστική.Η ιστορία εκτυλίσσεται,κατά κύριον λόγο,στην Κρήτη την εποχή του Β.Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου και δη στην Μάχη της Κρήτης,μία μάχη σημαντική για τους Κρητικούς λόγω της αναπάντεχης σθεναρής αντίστασης που κατέβαλλαν ενάντια στους αριθμητικά ανώτερους Γερμανούς.Με ηρωίδα μία νοσοκόμα Βρετανή με αποφασιστικότητα και θάρρος αψηφώντας τον κίνδυνο της ζωής της συμμετείχε σε αυτόν τον αγ��να και τάχθηκε να απαλύνει τις οποιαδήποτε πληγές των μαχομένων.Γίνεται βέβαια και αναφορά και στους Εβραίους με τα γνωστά επακόλουθα.Μία αφήγηση εκ μέρους της με τα δικά της μάτια,πολύ αναλυτική και με τις εναλλαγές χρόνου στον παρελθόν και στο παρόν.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Leah Fleming have loved all her books so far, just love her style of writing. This one is set in WW2 and modern day times and just loved following the story and characters.

[Stephanie Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about Crete’s struggles during WW2 when I worked there for a while - but it was all facts and figures and did not particularly stick in my mind. This story recalls the events through the eyes of a young woman who reacts passionately to the situations thrust upon her and her personal story will stay with me for a good while. Leah Fleming creates very believable characters who bring this period of history to life in a shockingly realistic way.

[Christina Polychronis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel because of it's location of Crete an island I've visited and the insight of the events in WWII. To read about a loved island was such a delight. I relived my visit years ago. Learning about the war was also beneficial. The hardships the natives went through as well as the treatment to the Jews as a reminder to the Holocaust. Worth reading if you've traveled to Crete and wish to know more about the horrors of the war.

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of the book is much better than the first, partly because the main character is less willfully irritating. The writer has obviously done a lot of detailed research, sometimes it just reads as historical reportage, but the book is none the worse for this. It tells of some appalling war crimes and explores how one lives a life after witnessing such atrocities.

[Rebecca Stonehill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really impressed with this book. Leah Fleming has clearly done an enormous amount of research to bring this turbulent period to life. Her use of going back and forth between modern day and WW2 was really effective and the ending was very satisfying. A good read!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book from this author. Mostly set in Crete during WW2, it deals with the Fall of Crete through the eyes of an English girl, a Jewish girl and a German soldier. I think Leah Fleming has done a very good job of illustrating life in occupied Crete.

[Smoogill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I totally agree with other reviewers who say they thought the story was good but the writing poor. What could have been an interesting and exciting story just felt too long and full of cliches and stereotypical characters.

[Marie Manou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beaucoup de longueurs et de répétitions dans ce roman.... Le côté historique et la découverte de la Crète pourtant très intéressants sont complètement obscurcit par ces répétitions... Dommage !

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

my paperback