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The Way It Breaks
Orestis is a young man who refuses to accept his lot in life. He wants a better job, a toned body, his own place, a brighter future. On a night out, he bumps into an old school friend who lands him an interview at her father’s five-star hotel. Orestis feels he is finally on the path to success. That is, until he becomes acquainted with a high-end gigolo who draws him onto a different path – one that takes him to a wealthy Belarusian trophy wife named Darya. Before long, Orestis’ destiny drifts even further out of his control.
Set in Cyprus, THE WAY IT BREAKS is a modern tale about fate and free will; love and boundaries; and the value of a human being.
Set in Cyprus, THE WAY IT BREAKS is a modern tale about fate and free will; love and boundaries; and the value of a human being.
- GenresContemporaryQueer
362 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2021
3 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Polis Loizou
7 books39 followersA Cyprus-born, UK-based writer and performer working across various disciplines.
His debut novel, ‘Disbanded Kingdom’, was published in 2018 and long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize. His second novel, ‘The Way It Breaks’, is set in his motherland of Cyprus, as is ‘A Good Year’, a queer historical novella inspired by local horror folklore.
Polis is also one third of the award-winning fringe theatre troupe The Off-Off-Off-Broadway Company, as well as a performer of folk tales.
His debut novel, ‘Disbanded Kingdom’, was published in 2018 and long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize. His second novel, ‘The Way It Breaks’, is set in his motherland of Cyprus, as is ‘A Good Year’, a queer historical novella inspired by local horror folklore.
Polis is also one third of the award-winning fringe theatre troupe The Off-Off-Off-Broadway Company, as well as a performer of folk tales.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 5, 2021
rep: bi mc, bi character, gay character, Belarusian mc
tw: fatphobia, internalised fatphobia, xenophobia
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
5 Reasons to Read This Book
One: The book might be taking place (mostly) on Cyprus, but there are characters there from all over Europe. You don’t even realise how much you’re missing something in books until you finally encounter it. And that diversity wasn’t just empty words, either. It was actually used to talk about xenophobia in Europe, doesn’t shy away from it for a moment. But also talks about history of other countries, about relations between the countries, about how people’s views on them change depending on their own background, upbringing.
Two: A big theme in the novel is body image. It’s not always presented in a positive way, in the sense that the main character Orestis struggles with how his body looks ever since he put on weight. But once again, it’s a smart commentary on the subject. The Way It Breaks talks pretty openly on the relationship between how you see your body and your self-worth; about the way your self-esteem levels rise the more in tune you are with your body. And sure, in case of Orestis being in tune with your body means being muscular with no visible fat, but he’s actively trying to achieve his goal. And the way he carries himself changes alongside his body.
Three: The interpersonal relationships are probably the most interesting part of the novel. The familial ones, of course; how just because you share blood with someone, doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to love you & how their lack of love or their broken way of loving you, can shape your whole life. But also the relationships we shape with others on our own, the ones we choose; how they’re almost never as easy as we imagine them to be at first & how keeping them all in balance can be the most tricky thing in life.
Four: Religion. Pretty much every character has different approach to god, looks for something divine in different places. Or doesn’t look for it at all for different reasons. There’s even a conversation about actual differences between ways people from various countries practice the same religion, in this case Orthodox Catholic Church. And like everything else in the book, the characters’ feelings about religion or lack thereof run deeper than simply a characteristic. They shape their lives, while also being shaped by their lives in turn.
Five: Kind of tied with the first point, but – language. Because the characters come from so many places, naturally they speak different languages. And The Way It Breaks understands what a giant role in one’s life plays being able to explain oneself properly to others. There are countless conversations where a character knows exactly what they wish to say, but lacks words for that in a certain language; the way that can almost change how others perceive you. Then there’s a second side of the coin: people learning your mother tongue because they care about you, because you’re important enough for them to try.
tw: fatphobia, internalised fatphobia, xenophobia
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
5 Reasons to Read This Book
One: The book might be taking place (mostly) on Cyprus, but there are characters there from all over Europe. You don’t even realise how much you’re missing something in books until you finally encounter it. And that diversity wasn’t just empty words, either. It was actually used to talk about xenophobia in Europe, doesn’t shy away from it for a moment. But also talks about history of other countries, about relations between the countries, about how people’s views on them change depending on their own background, upbringing.
Two: A big theme in the novel is body image. It’s not always presented in a positive way, in the sense that the main character Orestis struggles with how his body looks ever since he put on weight. But once again, it’s a smart commentary on the subject. The Way It Breaks talks pretty openly on the relationship between how you see your body and your self-worth; about the way your self-esteem levels rise the more in tune you are with your body. And sure, in case of Orestis being in tune with your body means being muscular with no visible fat, but he’s actively trying to achieve his goal. And the way he carries himself changes alongside his body.
Three: The interpersonal relationships are probably the most interesting part of the novel. The familial ones, of course; how just because you share blood with someone, doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to love you & how their lack of love or their broken way of loving you, can shape your whole life. But also the relationships we shape with others on our own, the ones we choose; how they’re almost never as easy as we imagine them to be at first & how keeping them all in balance can be the most tricky thing in life.
Four: Religion. Pretty much every character has different approach to god, looks for something divine in different places. Or doesn’t look for it at all for different reasons. There’s even a conversation about actual differences between ways people from various countries practice the same religion, in this case Orthodox Catholic Church. And like everything else in the book, the characters’ feelings about religion or lack thereof run deeper than simply a characteristic. They shape their lives, while also being shaped by their lives in turn.
Five: Kind of tied with the first point, but – language. Because the characters come from so many places, naturally they speak different languages. And The Way It Breaks understands what a giant role in one’s life plays being able to explain oneself properly to others. There are countless conversations where a character knows exactly what they wish to say, but lacks words for that in a certain language; the way that can almost change how others perceive you. Then there’s a second side of the coin: people learning your mother tongue because they care about you, because you’re important enough for them to try.
August 9, 2021
I know it’s a cliché but one of the great things about books is that one can take place in a country you’ve never visited and gain some knowledge about it. In the case of The Way it Breaks that country is modern day Cyprus.
Orestis is a chubby man (hold on there’s a reason why I’m mentioning this detail) out of the army and is being swindled by his own uncle in his taverna. He meets up with an old friend and her rich father, Aristos, sets up a position for him in a glitzy hotel. He then loses weight and through a frequent customer becomes a gigolo. Thus he lives in two worlds; the normal working one and one filled with sex. He then meets Darya, a Belarussian, and their professional relationship goes deep. When Orestis finds out who Darya’s husband is he then has to keep some secrets which may change his future.
This description may sound like a soap opera but the plot goes deeper. At times the book switches perspective and the personal histories of each characters interweaves into the plot. We all know that everyone has their own story and that it is tied up with a country’s culture. In the case of Orestis and Aristos it is Cyprus. With Darya it is Belarus. In fact the personal experience/country’s histories are so entwined it also leads to all the problems in each of his characters personalities.
The Way it Breaks gives a good insight into what is happening in Cyprus and it’s not that different than to what’s happening in Malta: modernistation and an influx of rich people due to the sale of passports (unfortunately something we have in Malta as well) To add more dimensions to this multi layered novel, the characters come from different social classes and it’s interesting to see mentalities, traditions and attitudes. As an aside it is also the first time I’ve read about an asexual character in a novel so kudos to the author for including representation.
On the whole The Way it Breaks is a solid novel. It flows beautifully, and for, someone like me, who also lives in an island in the Mediterranean, is interesting to see the cultural similarities and differences. Definitely an enriching read in every way.
Orestis is a chubby man (hold on there’s a reason why I’m mentioning this detail) out of the army and is being swindled by his own uncle in his taverna. He meets up with an old friend and her rich father, Aristos, sets up a position for him in a glitzy hotel. He then loses weight and through a frequent customer becomes a gigolo. Thus he lives in two worlds; the normal working one and one filled with sex. He then meets Darya, a Belarussian, and their professional relationship goes deep. When Orestis finds out who Darya’s husband is he then has to keep some secrets which may change his future.
This description may sound like a soap opera but the plot goes deeper. At times the book switches perspective and the personal histories of each characters interweaves into the plot. We all know that everyone has their own story and that it is tied up with a country’s culture. In the case of Orestis and Aristos it is Cyprus. With Darya it is Belarus. In fact the personal experience/country’s histories are so entwined it also leads to all the problems in each of his characters personalities.
The Way it Breaks gives a good insight into what is happening in Cyprus and it’s not that different than to what’s happening in Malta: modernistation and an influx of rich people due to the sale of passports (unfortunately something we have in Malta as well) To add more dimensions to this multi layered novel, the characters come from different social classes and it’s interesting to see mentalities, traditions and attitudes. As an aside it is also the first time I’ve read about an asexual character in a novel so kudos to the author for including representation.
On the whole The Way it Breaks is a solid novel. It flows beautifully, and for, someone like me, who also lives in an island in the Mediterranean, is interesting to see the cultural similarities and differences. Definitely an enriching read in every way.
July 16, 2021
A story of family life set in CYPRUS
The Way It Breaks is an impressive work. It starts quite conventionally but moves on to the bizarre and, in all honesty, a trifle weird. Very much in the style of Polis' earlier books. You are sort of shocked by what you read. Expected behaviour patterns are cast aside and anticipated thought processes are challenged.
Aristos is a Greek Cypriot hotel owner. He is a self made man. He divorced his first wife and then married a 'trophy' wife from Belarus. He has a daughter, Eva, by his first marriage. Eva was at school with Orestis, who has drifted and ended up serving at his uncle's beach side bar. They meet again by chance and Eva arranges an interview for him at her father's most prestigious hotel in Lemesos. So far, so good - and then the weirdness starts. Orestis starts a sideline business...
Aristos is perhaps scheming and has plans afoot. We wonder whether Orestis meeting again with Eva after many years was not entirely by chance. A web is woven as the tale moves towards its climax.
The Way It Breaks is an excellent book in TripFiction location terms. Cyprus is well and honestly described as are the Greek Islands encountered on a cruise. Cyprus is a country that has much changed over the years. I spent a fair amount of time there just before the Turkish invasion of 1974 - it was, and no doubt still is, a beautiful country. Polis describes the changes since then - the 'Russian' invasion and the growth of mass tourism. Polis was brought up in Cyprus, and his passion shines through. Parts of the story are based on his own experience. But he is realist. He tells it warts and all. The book is dedicated by Polis 'to a liberated and united motherland'. That really says it all.
The Way It Breaks is well worth reading.
The Way It Breaks is an impressive work. It starts quite conventionally but moves on to the bizarre and, in all honesty, a trifle weird. Very much in the style of Polis' earlier books. You are sort of shocked by what you read. Expected behaviour patterns are cast aside and anticipated thought processes are challenged.
Aristos is a Greek Cypriot hotel owner. He is a self made man. He divorced his first wife and then married a 'trophy' wife from Belarus. He has a daughter, Eva, by his first marriage. Eva was at school with Orestis, who has drifted and ended up serving at his uncle's beach side bar. They meet again by chance and Eva arranges an interview for him at her father's most prestigious hotel in Lemesos. So far, so good - and then the weirdness starts. Orestis starts a sideline business...
Aristos is perhaps scheming and has plans afoot. We wonder whether Orestis meeting again with Eva after many years was not entirely by chance. A web is woven as the tale moves towards its climax.
The Way It Breaks is an excellent book in TripFiction location terms. Cyprus is well and honestly described as are the Greek Islands encountered on a cruise. Cyprus is a country that has much changed over the years. I spent a fair amount of time there just before the Turkish invasion of 1974 - it was, and no doubt still is, a beautiful country. Polis describes the changes since then - the 'Russian' invasion and the growth of mass tourism. Polis was brought up in Cyprus, and his passion shines through. Parts of the story are based on his own experience. But he is realist. He tells it warts and all. The book is dedicated by Polis 'to a liberated and united motherland'. That really says it all.
The Way It Breaks is well worth reading.
January 27, 2022
Cyprus based book! Got to understand more about the people of this place from multiple perspectives. So cool to read about the places I just visited + life from the staff side of a cruise. Very eye opening❤️
July 3, 2021
Orestis is a young man who has his whole life ahead of him but sadly his current state of affairs is far from what he truly wants: a job which now pays less than most people earn, a disruptive household with a father who does nothing but question his choices and pesters him to actually make more of himself, and he only sees an out of shape, ugly man when he looks at his reflection.
Until one day when Oristis decides things must change and joins the local gym, and through an old school friend lands himself a job in a beautiful, regal and posh five star hotel and leaves his old life behind.
After a chance encounter with a gentleman who is discovered later on to be a Gigolo, Oristis finds himself drawn to the lifestyle of having great sex and gleaming the bonus of being paid for the privilege but perhaps he hasn’t quite figured out that you can’t have it all and when he discovers who his client is related to, his world shifts…
Meanwhile, Darya, the wife of a wealthy business man meets Oristis and the pair start to see more and more of each other and she is determined to be happy after a lifetime of feeling like an outcast, being shunned by those around her but as both of their lives start to bleed into eachother they must surely realise that to be truly happy both Oristis and Darya will have to face the truth even if it could mean Oristis realising where his true future lies and Darya finally knowing she has the power to make herself happy after a lifetime of feeling alone.
Set against the gorgeous and glittering backdrop of modern day Cyprus this is a story sure to keep you hooked and leaving you feeling hot under the collar.
Until one day when Oristis decides things must change and joins the local gym, and through an old school friend lands himself a job in a beautiful, regal and posh five star hotel and leaves his old life behind.
After a chance encounter with a gentleman who is discovered later on to be a Gigolo, Oristis finds himself drawn to the lifestyle of having great sex and gleaming the bonus of being paid for the privilege but perhaps he hasn’t quite figured out that you can’t have it all and when he discovers who his client is related to, his world shifts…
Meanwhile, Darya, the wife of a wealthy business man meets Oristis and the pair start to see more and more of each other and she is determined to be happy after a lifetime of feeling like an outcast, being shunned by those around her but as both of their lives start to bleed into eachother they must surely realise that to be truly happy both Oristis and Darya will have to face the truth even if it could mean Oristis realising where his true future lies and Darya finally knowing she has the power to make herself happy after a lifetime of feeling alone.
Set against the gorgeous and glittering backdrop of modern day Cyprus this is a story sure to keep you hooked and leaving you feeling hot under the collar.
June 24, 2021
Orestis lived in Cyprus and worked for his uncle, who seemed to take Orestis for granted because he was family. He called Orestis to him and told him that yet again, he was cutting his wages as the business wasn’t making enough profit. You can only push someone so far, so when he bumps into an old school friend, she suggests that she can get him a job in her father’s hotel.
Orestis decides to take his life into his own hands he wants more than what is offered. As he works in the hotel, he has access to the pool and gym. His efforts are noticed, and before long he has a desirable body that is admired, but he is a while before he works out what is going on under his nose. He could be earning big money, but how much is he willing to sacrifice?
It is a story that slowly pulls you in, like the new life that Otestis is creating. I liked this young man who had begun seeing family values as being more important than anything else. He has an innocence about him that is endearing, probably the thing that made others attracted to him too. But how rich are you if you don’t own yourself?
This is a slow burn story that I found myself right in the middle of it before I realised. Well written it kept me wanting to know where all this could end up. The nearer to the end it got and the edgier I felt.
I wish to thank the publisher for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Orestis decides to take his life into his own hands he wants more than what is offered. As he works in the hotel, he has access to the pool and gym. His efforts are noticed, and before long he has a desirable body that is admired, but he is a while before he works out what is going on under his nose. He could be earning big money, but how much is he willing to sacrifice?
It is a story that slowly pulls you in, like the new life that Otestis is creating. I liked this young man who had begun seeing family values as being more important than anything else. He has an innocence about him that is endearing, probably the thing that made others attracted to him too. But how rich are you if you don’t own yourself?
This is a slow burn story that I found myself right in the middle of it before I realised. Well written it kept me wanting to know where all this could end up. The nearer to the end it got and the edgier I felt.
I wish to thank the publisher for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
August 23, 2021
An enjoyable story about a group of people in Cyprus, examining how they come to have the lives they lead and questioning how much freedom they had in the choices they make. Set around Lemassos (Limassol), it starts with a young Cypriot man who becomes a “gigolo” but then opens up to reveal more about other characters including his Belarusian client and the owner of the hotel where he works. It also provides a vivid picture of modern Cyprus, from its culture and heritage to its society and politics.
July 20, 2021
Confession. I have never been to Cyprus. Therefore in my mind when I think about the place/country/island I think of either of blue seas, beaches, ruins, and white washed house basically Greece but a bit more, rustic or I think of the cheap booze and drunk Brits abroad of Ayia Napa.
Loizou managed to give me a sense of Cyprus a real place inhabited by real people beyond the "generic Med".
Those people, the characters of the novel present themselves as complete 3D characters who initially seem to conform to stereotypes; waiter, trophy wife, daddys girl, and gigolo.
They are, however so much more than those things and you quickly, come to care for the characters as more of their backstories are revealed and incidents are hinted at.
I will have to visit Cyprus one of these days, I just hope it and the people are as good as this novel portrays.
Loizou managed to give me a sense of Cyprus a real place inhabited by real people beyond the "generic Med".
Those people, the characters of the novel present themselves as complete 3D characters who initially seem to conform to stereotypes; waiter, trophy wife, daddys girl, and gigolo.
They are, however so much more than those things and you quickly, come to care for the characters as more of their backstories are revealed and incidents are hinted at.
I will have to visit Cyprus one of these days, I just hope it and the people are as good as this novel portrays.
August 20, 2021
1.5*
When Orestis lands a job at a luxury hotel, the ambitious young Cypriot decides this is the opportune moment for a makeover. It is out with the flab and in with the gym. He also becomes acquainted with a gigolo who frequents his place of work. This culminates in Orestis moonlighting as a rent boy and having a tryst with a Belarusian trophy wife. The pair become close. But a strange coincidence is poised to unveil itself that threatens to jeopardise everything Orestis has worked so hard for.
The novel is set in Cyprus. Themes include body image and relationships. This reader found the early chapters eminently readable, if painstakingly slow. However, the abrupt shift in point of view from Orestis to the trophy wife at a critical point in the book was not to his liking. Other criticisms include the excessive observation, commentary, virtual absence of plot, lack of tension and suspense. 'The Way It Breaks' is an onerous read that fails to deliver on its promising premise.
When Orestis lands a job at a luxury hotel, the ambitious young Cypriot decides this is the opportune moment for a makeover. It is out with the flab and in with the gym. He also becomes acquainted with a gigolo who frequents his place of work. This culminates in Orestis moonlighting as a rent boy and having a tryst with a Belarusian trophy wife. The pair become close. But a strange coincidence is poised to unveil itself that threatens to jeopardise everything Orestis has worked so hard for.
The novel is set in Cyprus. Themes include body image and relationships. This reader found the early chapters eminently readable, if painstakingly slow. However, the abrupt shift in point of view from Orestis to the trophy wife at a critical point in the book was not to his liking. Other criticisms include the excessive observation, commentary, virtual absence of plot, lack of tension and suspense. 'The Way It Breaks' is an onerous read that fails to deliver on its promising premise.
July 3, 2021
The thing about this book is: I didn’t realise that I’d read most of it until I noticed the left side was somehow already way heavier to hold.
The other thing is that you don’t realise how much, and how quickly, you care for the characters until things get complicated. Loizou’s characters are each so human, and flawed. You find yourself wanting each of them to chill and find some kind of peace, even when they’re being d*ckheads. You find yourself wanting to know more about the details of their lives, looking for all those little background stories that are sprinkled into the narrative, to find out how they got there.
Because where this novel soars is in its exploration of pain, the subtleties of how it expresses itself, how it defines people, how it’s internalised, how it can transform into hatred, and how it can spread within communities and nations. Thematically I could unpick it for ages and find new things, new reflections, and ways that each storyline mirrors another, and I applaud how Loizou pulled that off. Similarly, I am obsessed with how the theme of image and self-worth is embedded in the text. The way different characters are perceived at different times by different people. The way this, in turn, affects our perception of a character depending on when and how they’re introduced, and challenges our assumptions. Hopefully this isn’t vague as I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but here’s an example—we are introduced to a character looking one way, and as his physicality changes his interiority hasn’t acknowledged those changes: so when another POV character meets him, we too are surprised. There’s also a lot there about the way that appearance is used to assign value to a person, how it can be used as a weapon.
Also shout-out to Aristos Ioannidou, one of my absolute favourite characters in anything I’ve watched or read lately. This guy!!! Is complex and interesting in a way I can’t talk about here without dropping spoilers. All the characters are great but he really stood out—and Darya, and Eva. I will say no more: but there are such gems in characterisation here, characters that f*ck up all the stereotypes.
Speaking of which. Another thing I should mention is the setting. Cyprus—when it is mentioned in English-language literature—is often portrayed either as some weirdly idealised-yet-patronising pastoral-colonial fantasy stuck in 1870, or as an aggregate of beaches, good food, and Aphrodite, that only exists at the end of an Easyjet booking and vanishes once holiday season is over. Or, it is a subject of non-fiction books and monographs clumsily attempting to explain Cypriot ethnography and history, often by writers who probably shouldn’t be telling that story. Loizou masterfully deconstructs and lampshades all of the above, presenting us with a real, modern place inhabited by real, modern people—in a perfect world, this wouldn’t be remarkable, but alas. We are presented with some of those things naturally, in how characters relate to them through their relevant lived experiences and interests within a given moment—the way that people actually do—yet another thing which makes people and places come alive in the prose with such effortless economy.
Look, I could keep going. You should just go read this book instead. It’ll stay with you.
The other thing is that you don’t realise how much, and how quickly, you care for the characters until things get complicated. Loizou’s characters are each so human, and flawed. You find yourself wanting each of them to chill and find some kind of peace, even when they’re being d*ckheads. You find yourself wanting to know more about the details of their lives, looking for all those little background stories that are sprinkled into the narrative, to find out how they got there.
Because where this novel soars is in its exploration of pain, the subtleties of how it expresses itself, how it defines people, how it’s internalised, how it can transform into hatred, and how it can spread within communities and nations. Thematically I could unpick it for ages and find new things, new reflections, and ways that each storyline mirrors another, and I applaud how Loizou pulled that off. Similarly, I am obsessed with how the theme of image and self-worth is embedded in the text. The way different characters are perceived at different times by different people. The way this, in turn, affects our perception of a character depending on when and how they’re introduced, and challenges our assumptions. Hopefully this isn’t vague as I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but here’s an example—we are introduced to a character looking one way, and as his physicality changes his interiority hasn’t acknowledged those changes: so when another POV character meets him, we too are surprised. There’s also a lot there about the way that appearance is used to assign value to a person, how it can be used as a weapon.
Also shout-out to Aristos Ioannidou, one of my absolute favourite characters in anything I’ve watched or read lately. This guy!!! Is complex and interesting in a way I can’t talk about here without dropping spoilers. All the characters are great but he really stood out—and Darya, and Eva. I will say no more: but there are such gems in characterisation here, characters that f*ck up all the stereotypes.
Speaking of which. Another thing I should mention is the setting. Cyprus—when it is mentioned in English-language literature—is often portrayed either as some weirdly idealised-yet-patronising pastoral-colonial fantasy stuck in 1870, or as an aggregate of beaches, good food, and Aphrodite, that only exists at the end of an Easyjet booking and vanishes once holiday season is over. Or, it is a subject of non-fiction books and monographs clumsily attempting to explain Cypriot ethnography and history, often by writers who probably shouldn’t be telling that story. Loizou masterfully deconstructs and lampshades all of the above, presenting us with a real, modern place inhabited by real, modern people—in a perfect world, this wouldn’t be remarkable, but alas. We are presented with some of those things naturally, in how characters relate to them through their relevant lived experiences and interests within a given moment—the way that people actually do—yet another thing which makes people and places come alive in the prose with such effortless economy.
Look, I could keep going. You should just go read this book instead. It’ll stay with you.
July 26, 2021
With events taking place in Cyprus, The Way It Breaks is the story of a young man named Orestis, a man who like a lot of young people, is still trying to find his path in life. Dissatisfied with his current situation, Orestis begins something of a journey – and one that takes him in paths you may not expect. I was interested to see how things would develop for Orestis, he is a character you are drawn to immediately, and one that is relatable as we find out early on that he is struggling to accept not only the life he inhabits, but his body. His struggle with his body image and the fatphobia that is ever present in society add to Orestis’ discomfort, and this struggle proves all the more significant considering how his journey plays out. A meeting with an old friend leads to an opportunity to interview for a role at a luxury hotel, something which helps him finally get back on track, with the chance to pursue a more lucrative career path, that is until he meets a gigolo who shows him a different path entirely...
One of the strengths in Polis’ writing is in the authenticity of the characters and the setting. Born and raised in Cyprus, Polis has drawn from his own upbringing and the personal experiences of himself and his loved ones, the details of which have been woven throughout this story. As a result, its characters have an authentic voice, and the sights and sounds of Cyprus were vividly portrayed which helped provide fascinating insight into the life, culture and history that provides the backdrop for this story. The story itself is one that piqued my interest, and I was intrigued to see the transition made by Orestis over the course of the novel. We see a young man who begins from a position of vulnerability and insecurity, and watch as he becomes more comfortable with his body and his sexuality, venturing into unfamiliar territory, and forming unexpected connections along the way which have a huge impact on him. These themes surrounding body image, sexuality, love and relationships all play a key part as Orestis' journey and it was interesting to see the layers of the story unfold, the bonds that are formed, and the way in which fate too plays a role in the ways in which the lives of these characters become intertwined, as Orestis discovers the importance of human connection through the relationships he builds, as he discovers more about himself, and the world he wants to be in.
One of the strengths in Polis’ writing is in the authenticity of the characters and the setting. Born and raised in Cyprus, Polis has drawn from his own upbringing and the personal experiences of himself and his loved ones, the details of which have been woven throughout this story. As a result, its characters have an authentic voice, and the sights and sounds of Cyprus were vividly portrayed which helped provide fascinating insight into the life, culture and history that provides the backdrop for this story. The story itself is one that piqued my interest, and I was intrigued to see the transition made by Orestis over the course of the novel. We see a young man who begins from a position of vulnerability and insecurity, and watch as he becomes more comfortable with his body and his sexuality, venturing into unfamiliar territory, and forming unexpected connections along the way which have a huge impact on him. These themes surrounding body image, sexuality, love and relationships all play a key part as Orestis' journey and it was interesting to see the layers of the story unfold, the bonds that are formed, and the way in which fate too plays a role in the ways in which the lives of these characters become intertwined, as Orestis discovers the importance of human connection through the relationships he builds, as he discovers more about himself, and the world he wants to be in.
July 3, 2021
Polis’ poetic prose is sparkling with gorgeous imagery that will transport you to the sea and all its wonders. His descriptions are so vivid that I had a visceral, vicarious experience of all the characters’ senses. It’s not often you can say a book made you hungry, horny and hurt your heart all at once, but The Way It Breaks achieves this with mesmerising ease.
You might not think the story of a gigolo working at a hotel in Cyprus is something you’d relate to but trust me; you will. It explores body image and colonialism and makes you think differently about your place in the world.
Not only did this book open my eyes, but it also fluttered them in surprise. It is unputdownable—a perfect book for your summer holiday.
You might not think the story of a gigolo working at a hotel in Cyprus is something you’d relate to but trust me; you will. It explores body image and colonialism and makes you think differently about your place in the world.
Not only did this book open my eyes, but it also fluttered them in surprise. It is unputdownable—a perfect book for your summer holiday.
July 22, 2021
The Way It Breaks by Cypriut born and raised Polis Loizou is a total joy!.
It centres around three characters, Orestis, who wants a better life for himself so becomes a gigolo. His first client, Darya, a Belarusian trophy wife and her husband, Aristos. All three are written with great depth and are very believable.
But the fourth character is Cyprus itself (plus the Greeks islands as the characters go on a cruise). You can instantly imagine yourself there - great if there is no chance of a summer holiday this year! Plus I learnt much about the island's history from the book.
The language used is exquisite and Polis really includes the smallest of details - what people are thinking and the memories that are recalled.
Would totally recommend this book!
It centres around three characters, Orestis, who wants a better life for himself so becomes a gigolo. His first client, Darya, a Belarusian trophy wife and her husband, Aristos. All three are written with great depth and are very believable.
But the fourth character is Cyprus itself (plus the Greeks islands as the characters go on a cruise). You can instantly imagine yourself there - great if there is no chance of a summer holiday this year! Plus I learnt much about the island's history from the book.
The language used is exquisite and Polis really includes the smallest of details - what people are thinking and the memories that are recalled.
Would totally recommend this book!
September 5, 2021
This book will make you hungry. The descriptions of the pastries and treats of Cyprus and Greece are just too good.
The story had me totally hooked with some serious 'woah!' and 'no way?!' moments and the incredible, evocative descriptions of place and sights and sounds and feelings had me utterly convinced, by the end of the book, that I have actually been to Cyprus.
The story had me totally hooked with some serious 'woah!' and 'no way?!' moments and the incredible, evocative descriptions of place and sights and sounds and feelings had me utterly convinced, by the end of the book, that I have actually been to Cyprus.
January 5, 2022
The Way it Breaks is a lushly described visit to the author’s native Cyprus, telling us not only the story of the 4 protagonists — including a bisexual man, a polyamorous asexual man and 2 women important in both their lives — but also giving us a feel for Lemesos and some of the impact that the Soviet collapse has added to the long and diverse history of this jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean. As David Wilson put it in his review (which you should read), Cyprus is “an island whose geography makes it a valuable prize, yet never rich and powerful enough in its own right to resist those who would possess and use it”, which is part of why all Polis’s characters having complex, layered identities. I’ll quote Wilson's review again, as he put it far better than I could:
Again, you should go read Dr Wilson’s review, which is far better-written, far more detailed and far more interesting than I could manage, not least on the deeper thoughts inspired by Polis's writing. Also, go read this thread by Polis, about an anecdote that made its way into the book.
Finally, I should disclaim that Polis is a friend of mine, though the only way in which this has influenced this review is by making me take longer on it (over 6 months since finishing the book!), to ensure that my review does his work justice. I’m not sure I’ve achieved that, tbh, but you should get hold of a copy of his gorgeous prose and step into the lives of his characters so you can obviate the need for me to have done a better job 😉
CN: poor self-image, including internalised fatphobia; racism; death of relative.
These are rich characters, and we access their inner lives because the author tells the tale from the perspective of different characters in different chapters, which become shorter and more focused as the tale develops, and the possibilities open to them narrow. As we follow the characters, seeing how they use their inheritances to navigate life and grow, we see also how choices can leave us boxed in, reducing our available options. Yet this is still growth, for progress in life is so often about choosing which doorways to leave closed, as much as those we choose to open and enter.
… It has been said often that character is fate but this book reminds us that history is also fate, for in human beings, these two are interwoven, like the strands of the baskets crafted by the village women.
Again, you should go read Dr Wilson’s review, which is far better-written, far more detailed and far more interesting than I could manage, not least on the deeper thoughts inspired by Polis's writing. Also, go read this thread by Polis, about an anecdote that made its way into the book.
Finally, I should disclaim that Polis is a friend of mine, though the only way in which this has influenced this review is by making me take longer on it (over 6 months since finishing the book!), to ensure that my review does his work justice. I’m not sure I’ve achieved that, tbh, but you should get hold of a copy of his gorgeous prose and step into the lives of his characters so you can obviate the need for me to have done a better job 😉
CN: poor self-image, including internalised fatphobia; racism; death of relative.
November 26, 2021
This beautifully written book based in modern-day Cyprus tells the story of Orestis, a young man yearning for a better life while struggling with his bi-sexuality. Breaking free from a poorly paid job in his uncle’s taverna, Orestis lands a job as a porter in a luxury hotel. He is soon taken under the wing of a handsome gigolo, who services the hotel’s female guests. Envious of his new friend’s high-flying lifestyle, Orestis allows himself to be pimped out to some of the guests, and, eventually, to his boss’s wife, a Belorusan beauty who herself is a gilded captive. Loizou’s lyrical prose transports the reader to the warm sands of Cyprus while subtly illustrating the age-old adage that what looks like gold is often nothing more than sparkling pyrite.
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