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Arrested Song
Calliope Adham – young, strong-willed, and recently widowed – is schoolmistress in the village of Molyvos when Hitler’s army invades Greece in 1941. Well-read and linguistically gifted, she is recruited by the Germans to act as their liaison officer. It is the beginning of a personal and national saga that will last for several decades.
Calliope’s wartime duties bring her into close contact with Lieutenant Lorenz Umbreit, the Wehrmacht commander. The schoolmistress is an active member of the Greek Resistance, yet her friendship with the German blossoms against all odds, in a fishing village seething with dread and suspicion.
Amid privation and death, the villagers’ hostility finally erupts, but the bond between Calliope and Umbreit survives, taking unforeseeable turns as Greece is ravaged by civil war and oppressed by military dictatorship. It is against this turbulent background that Calliope emerges as a champion for girls' and women's rights.
Arrested Song is a haunting, sumptuous novel, weaving the private and the historic into a vivid tapestry of Greek island life. Spanning over three decades, it chronicles the story of an extraordinary woman and her lifelong struggle against social and political tyranny.
Calliope’s wartime duties bring her into close contact with Lieutenant Lorenz Umbreit, the Wehrmacht commander. The schoolmistress is an active member of the Greek Resistance, yet her friendship with the German blossoms against all odds, in a fishing village seething with dread and suspicion.
Amid privation and death, the villagers’ hostility finally erupts, but the bond between Calliope and Umbreit survives, taking unforeseeable turns as Greece is ravaged by civil war and oppressed by military dictatorship. It is against this turbulent background that Calliope emerges as a champion for girls' and women's rights.
Arrested Song is a haunting, sumptuous novel, weaving the private and the historic into a vivid tapestry of Greek island life. Spanning over three decades, it chronicles the story of an extraordinary woman and her lifelong struggle against social and political tyranny.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2023
About the author
Irena Karafilly
12 books30 followersIrena Karafilly is an award-winning Montreal writer, poet, and aphorist. She is the author of several acclaimed books and of numerous stories, poems, and articles, which have been published in both literary and consumer magazines, as well as in various North American newspapers, including the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune. Her short stories have been anthologized and broadcast, winning literary prizes such as the National Magazine Award and the CBC Literary Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 26, 2023
'Arrested Song' is a great book; a saga even. What starts out as a Greek experience of German occupation during WW2, quickly evolves into an epic story. Calliope is a young woman when her husband is sent to war, never to return. His demise proves a re-birth of sorts for Calliope; severing the shackles which bound her to tradition.
When the Germans come to her village, Calliope is called upon to be their translator. Working closely with the Captain in charge, Lorenz Umbreit, she begins to understand the man, separate from the Occupation, 'through some random decision in Hitler's bureaucracy, she was made to cross paths with an exceptional German.' At the root of the dilemma is the fact that she's a member of the Greek Resistance, despite the villagers believing her to be a German Collaborator.
This is only the beginning of Calliope's story; her journey of self-discovery and belief. The end of WW2 sees the onset of the Civil War in Greece. As times change, heralding modernity and forced choice of ideals, Calliope still has trouble, 'accepting the villagers' entrenched attitudes, which sometimes maim and kill through sheer ignorance.' Calliope may have broken the bonds of tradition years earlier, but she's still met by women who regularly experience domestic violence, and whose daughters are not allowed access to education beyond primary years, 'I believe in education as others believe in the Virgin powers.' Calliope sets out the redress these wrongs. However, although now the Civil War may have ended, an army coup plunges the country, once again, into civil unrest. Calliope has had enough, 'I'm going to live by my own rules.'
'Arrested Song' is everything: the mundanity of Greek village life, a WW2 story of occupation, resistance, espionage, and survival. It's a love story many times over and it is a journey of self-discovery and purpose in the face of change and encroaching modernity. It is a saga. Readers of historical fiction will love the breadth and depth Irena Karfilly has managed to articulate in this 400 page story.
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When the Germans come to her village, Calliope is called upon to be their translator. Working closely with the Captain in charge, Lorenz Umbreit, she begins to understand the man, separate from the Occupation, 'through some random decision in Hitler's bureaucracy, she was made to cross paths with an exceptional German.' At the root of the dilemma is the fact that she's a member of the Greek Resistance, despite the villagers believing her to be a German Collaborator.
This is only the beginning of Calliope's story; her journey of self-discovery and belief. The end of WW2 sees the onset of the Civil War in Greece. As times change, heralding modernity and forced choice of ideals, Calliope still has trouble, 'accepting the villagers' entrenched attitudes, which sometimes maim and kill through sheer ignorance.' Calliope may have broken the bonds of tradition years earlier, but she's still met by women who regularly experience domestic violence, and whose daughters are not allowed access to education beyond primary years, 'I believe in education as others believe in the Virgin powers.' Calliope sets out the redress these wrongs. However, although now the Civil War may have ended, an army coup plunges the country, once again, into civil unrest. Calliope has had enough, 'I'm going to live by my own rules.'
'Arrested Song' is everything: the mundanity of Greek village life, a WW2 story of occupation, resistance, espionage, and survival. It's a love story many times over and it is a journey of self-discovery and purpose in the face of change and encroaching modernity. It is a saga. Readers of historical fiction will love the breadth and depth Irena Karfilly has managed to articulate in this 400 page story.
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 1, 2023
This historical fiction is set in Greece during World War II, moves forward through the Greek Civil War, and the tumultuous years following that. Calliope Adham is a school mistress, recently widowed and independent in her thoughts and ways - not the cultural and social norm for Greek women during that time. When the Germans invade Greece, she is recruited by the Germans as their liaison officer because of her language skills and meets Lieutenant Lorenz Umbreit. A strong bond forms between them. But Calliope is careful with her secret - she has joined the Greek resistance. This is Calliope’s story and the story of life in the village of Molyvos - its residents and their challenges under the Germans, during the Greek civil war, and the bitter years following the civil war. I liked the premise of the storyline and Calliope’s struggles with her inner self and her relationships. She chafed under the social norms of the day and it was refreshing to see her succeed in what she set out to accomplish on her own. I did feel the writing could have been tighter - it felt longer than 352 pages and I wasn’t blown away by the prose. And there were a lot of characters, which made it a bit difficult to keep track. Overall a solid three-star read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 7, 2023
one of the most poignant and powerful books about Greece which I have read.
This story of modern Greece is not only beautifully written but it gets under the skin of this passionate country, always an enigma to those who try to understand the people and the various threads of its complex culture, traditions and recent history. I thought I knew the horrors of WW2, the despicable result of its civil war, the terror of existing during the years of the Junta but it takes the skill of Irena Karafilly to translate these years into the reality of being that woman, that child, that soldier, that family who had to live, indeed endure, these years in Greece.
This story of modern Greece is not only beautifully written but it gets under the skin of this passionate country, always an enigma to those who try to understand the people and the various threads of its complex culture, traditions and recent history. I thought I knew the horrors of WW2, the despicable result of its civil war, the terror of existing during the years of the Junta but it takes the skill of Irena Karafilly to translate these years into the reality of being that woman, that child, that soldier, that family who had to live, indeed endure, these years in Greece.
December 8, 2022
This story was amazing. It was easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. It was very well written and had a haunting story. I will definitely not forget for a long time. I will definitely be buying a copy of this book when it gets published
August 4, 2025
💕 Calliope is a fascinating character. Having lost her husband before the book even begins, she comes through as a strong, independent woman. A leader in the Greek feminist movement.
This book follows her life over more than 30 years in a small fishing village in Greece. From the day the Germans arrive in 1941 through the civil war and the abolishment of the monarchy, to the end of a dictatorship. This book, above all else, is a story of survival and fight.
The first part of this book, the years of the German occupation, are my favourite. Watching as year after year, the people grow hungrier and hungrier. More desperate. Calliope growing into her new role as translator for the German officers stationed there. Her growing connection with German Lorenz Umbreit. Calliope joins the growing Greek resistance while slowly falling in love with a German officer.
What follows is harder to read. Greeks turning on Greeks as the country dives into civil war. Neighbours turning on neighbours. Desperation. Resistance.
This is a multi-faceted story, but two things strike me. Calliope, despite having a string of lovers, chooses never to marry again. Could this be because her heart has never forgotten the German or because she refuses to let herself be, once again, at the whim of the man.
And that leads me to the second thing. This story is very much a resistance to the male patriarchy. The one that gives women little value as human beings. When a husband beats his wife, no one bats an eye. When a woman being raped doesn’t stir anger within the community.
Calliope begins by building a library for children, by providing girls with a much needed education when they’ve graduated from the local elementary school. She provides a place for battered women and those looking to escape.
There are a lot of secondary and minor characters, all of whom add to the complexity and multi-faceted nature of this book. This book has many things going on. As enlightening as that is, it makes it harder to connect with the characters beyond Calliope. Over all, I learned a lot from this book about 20th century Greece. It was a fascinating read, although lacked a little of that “I can’t put you down” vibes after the first section.
This book follows her life over more than 30 years in a small fishing village in Greece. From the day the Germans arrive in 1941 through the civil war and the abolishment of the monarchy, to the end of a dictatorship. This book, above all else, is a story of survival and fight.
The first part of this book, the years of the German occupation, are my favourite. Watching as year after year, the people grow hungrier and hungrier. More desperate. Calliope growing into her new role as translator for the German officers stationed there. Her growing connection with German Lorenz Umbreit. Calliope joins the growing Greek resistance while slowly falling in love with a German officer.
What follows is harder to read. Greeks turning on Greeks as the country dives into civil war. Neighbours turning on neighbours. Desperation. Resistance.
This is a multi-faceted story, but two things strike me. Calliope, despite having a string of lovers, chooses never to marry again. Could this be because her heart has never forgotten the German or because she refuses to let herself be, once again, at the whim of the man.
And that leads me to the second thing. This story is very much a resistance to the male patriarchy. The one that gives women little value as human beings. When a husband beats his wife, no one bats an eye. When a woman being raped doesn’t stir anger within the community.
Calliope begins by building a library for children, by providing girls with a much needed education when they’ve graduated from the local elementary school. She provides a place for battered women and those looking to escape.
There are a lot of secondary and minor characters, all of whom add to the complexity and multi-faceted nature of this book. This book has many things going on. As enlightening as that is, it makes it harder to connect with the characters beyond Calliope. Over all, I learned a lot from this book about 20th century Greece. It was a fascinating read, although lacked a little of that “I can’t put you down” vibes after the first section.
March 11, 2023
Arrested Song is an achingly beautiful and poignant story about German occupation in Greece, love and loss, tragedy and sorrow, hope and resilience. In 1941 the Germans arrived in Calliope's fishing village and hoisted their flags. Calliope, a school mistress and philosophical intellect, was chosen to liaise between the Greeks and Germans as well as translate as she knew the German language fairly well. In doing so, she met Lt. Lorenz Umbreit, an intelligent and thoughtful Nazi with whom she shared a passion for books and fell in love. Their interesting story slowly unfolds during the Occupation and after. Calliope's husband had been drafted and did not return but their marriage was not built on love. Author Irena Karafilly describes Calliope's evolution as a person, her flaws and relationships with those around her.
Karafilly writes about the glorious village scenery, daily life, and characters over the seasons spanning three decades with the main focus on the early 1940s. There is hunger, depravity, death, the Resistance and sacrifice. No one is impervious to the repercussions of war which affected trade, food availability, heat and book banning.
My favourite aspects are the original and raw writing, smart historical details, atmosphere and well-developed characters. While Calliope's choices are questionable, her depth of feeling translated so well onto the page. The array of village characters is fascinating, from Calliope and her mother Mirto to Umbreit to Hektor and Zenovia. Brilliant. The inclusion of the Greek history timeline is helpful.
Historical Fiction and/or Romance readers, you are in for an all-sensory treat. Sounds trite but the gorgeous writing took me to Greece in about two seconds flat. Lose yourself completely. Be aware there is domestic abuse.
My sincere thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this extraordinary book. Opinions are entirely my own.
Karafilly writes about the glorious village scenery, daily life, and characters over the seasons spanning three decades with the main focus on the early 1940s. There is hunger, depravity, death, the Resistance and sacrifice. No one is impervious to the repercussions of war which affected trade, food availability, heat and book banning.
My favourite aspects are the original and raw writing, smart historical details, atmosphere and well-developed characters. While Calliope's choices are questionable, her depth of feeling translated so well onto the page. The array of village characters is fascinating, from Calliope and her mother Mirto to Umbreit to Hektor and Zenovia. Brilliant. The inclusion of the Greek history timeline is helpful.
Historical Fiction and/or Romance readers, you are in for an all-sensory treat. Sounds trite but the gorgeous writing took me to Greece in about two seconds flat. Lose yourself completely. Be aware there is domestic abuse.
My sincere thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this extraordinary book. Opinions are entirely my own.
August 26, 2023
I have just finished reading 😍
To be honest, it was the stories of Greek life that got me through the first 100 pages detailing the dark and worrysome period during the German Occupation.
This isn't criticism on Irena's writing, as it is brilliantly worded from beginning to end, I just probably started it in the wrong time, when I needed something more eventful, with less tension, as some of these stories were cheerful memoirs of everyday life back then, while some others are less so.
And then I slowly grew fond of all the characters, even the German ones, and wanted to know how they would end up.
It took me 3 months to get through the first hundred pages, but one week to get to the 400th, which is where the story ends.
Through this book I got a deeper understanding of modern Greek history and what the country AND both men and women went through after the war ended.
I share Calliope's views on women's roles in society and I was happy to discover a book whose protagonist fits in just as difficultly as I did in my village (though I grew up in very different times and circumstances).
Without risking spoilers, all I will say is that I liked where and how the story ends, allowing us to anticipate what was yet to come for both the country and the people of Molyvos.
I thank the author for doing such a thorough research, a bit of history will forever be remembered in this novel! 💙
To be honest, it was the stories of Greek life that got me through the first 100 pages detailing the dark and worrysome period during the German Occupation.
This isn't criticism on Irena's writing, as it is brilliantly worded from beginning to end, I just probably started it in the wrong time, when I needed something more eventful, with less tension, as some of these stories were cheerful memoirs of everyday life back then, while some others are less so.
And then I slowly grew fond of all the characters, even the German ones, and wanted to know how they would end up.
It took me 3 months to get through the first hundred pages, but one week to get to the 400th, which is where the story ends.
Through this book I got a deeper understanding of modern Greek history and what the country AND both men and women went through after the war ended.
I share Calliope's views on women's roles in society and I was happy to discover a book whose protagonist fits in just as difficultly as I did in my village (though I grew up in very different times and circumstances).
Without risking spoilers, all I will say is that I liked where and how the story ends, allowing us to anticipate what was yet to come for both the country and the people of Molyvos.
I thank the author for doing such a thorough research, a bit of history will forever be remembered in this novel! 💙
February 2, 2024
This is an excellent complicated novel tracing the fractured political scene in Lesbos, an island in Greece near the Turkish coast, from the 1940's to the 1970's, from the viewpoint of the central character-Calliope-a young teacher in a small island town Molyvos, who is a strong-minded independent woman who rejects the conventional repressive views of women at the time & will become an advocate for women. She will join the resistance during the Nazi wartime occupation, yet recruited by the Germans as a liaison officer because of her linguistic skills, fall in love with the German Lieutenant Lorenz who has enlightened views & they will have a lifelong relationship after the war by mail & in person. Calliope has a strong sexual drive & will have a number of lovers, the main ones being the local doctor, & later the British agent Rupert who was hidden from the Nazis & the only one she will marry & with whom she will escape to England when the right wing government of Papadopoulos threatens to arrest her for communist links. The dictatorial junta will ultimately fall due to massive protests, yielding a democratic government.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2023
Calliope is a young schoolmistress in a Lesbos village in Nazi-occupied Greece. When she’s conscripted as a translator, she finds herself attracted to the enemy officer who is her boss. Struggling with the notion that most nations have a violent history and most people have a streak of cruelty as well as kindness, she joins the Resistance.
When the Occupation ends, the Civil War begins. Calliope is shocked to find her compatriots can be as vicious as the Nazis. But she finds a way of using her teaching skills to spread a little light in dark times, becoming an advocate for battered women, until the military dictatorship threatens her very existence.
Is this a character-based novel or a fictionalisation of Greek history? For many readers – as I assume was the author’s intention – it’s both, but I didn’t feel as close to the main character or learn as much as I’d have liked. Nevertheless, an interesting novel about the struggle for personal and political autonomy. Thanks to publishers Legend Press for my advanced proof copy.
When the Occupation ends, the Civil War begins. Calliope is shocked to find her compatriots can be as vicious as the Nazis. But she finds a way of using her teaching skills to spread a little light in dark times, becoming an advocate for battered women, until the military dictatorship threatens her very existence.
Is this a character-based novel or a fictionalisation of Greek history? For many readers – as I assume was the author’s intention – it’s both, but I didn’t feel as close to the main character or learn as much as I’d have liked. Nevertheless, an interesting novel about the struggle for personal and political autonomy. Thanks to publishers Legend Press for my advanced proof copy.
July 19, 2023
Against a sweeping backdrop of the 20th century in Greece, from WWII and German occupation to the bloody Greek civil war through the Greek military junta, this is the story of schoolteacher Calliope Adham, living in the village of Molyvos on the island of Lesvos. Calliope’s ideas on marriage and men, and at times politics, throw her into conflict with her conservative, rural island society. We watch the protagonist grow and develop -- some of her relationships endure over time, others do not. This is historical fiction at its best --- well written with sensory descriptions and a life affirming character. Though flawed at times, Calliope wins our hearts. My only qualm was that sometimes the sheer number of character names was a little overwhelming! I look forward to Karafilly’s next work.
January 27, 2023
This book started out interesting. Set in Greece during the German Occupation of WWII, Arrested Song is the story of Calliope Adham. As a teacher at the village school, she is made a liaison officer by the Germans to help communications between the Germans and the villagers. Soon after she became a member of the Greek Resistance. This book tells of all the suffering, pain, and hardship the citizens of the Greek Islands were exposed to by the Germans. At this point, the book slows down and drags by. Not much happened to hold my interest and I finally just gave up trying to finish reading it. Thanks to author Irena Karafilly, Legend Press, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
March 5, 2023
Historical fiction about other countries is one of my favourite genres. Greece is a country I’ve not read much about before so I was really excited to get stuck into this one.
Calliope is a widowed school mistress of the Greek village of Molyvos. When Hitler’s army take over her village, Calliope is recruited by them to be their liaison officer. What Calliope doesn’t expect, is to fall in love with a Lieutenant of the German army. This puts here in a compromising situation as she is also a member of the Greek Resistance. From Nazi invaded Greece to a Civil War, Calliope becomes a defender of women’s rights.
I loved Calliope and I loved following her story. From the very first page I knew this was a book that I was going to enjoy.
Calliope is a widowed school mistress of the Greek village of Molyvos. When Hitler’s army take over her village, Calliope is recruited by them to be their liaison officer. What Calliope doesn’t expect, is to fall in love with a Lieutenant of the German army. This puts here in a compromising situation as she is also a member of the Greek Resistance. From Nazi invaded Greece to a Civil War, Calliope becomes a defender of women’s rights.
I loved Calliope and I loved following her story. From the very first page I knew this was a book that I was going to enjoy.
March 30, 2023
A brilliant book.
I savoured every word. Irena’s writing is evocative and addictive. Lesbos is an island I have always wished to visit. But after reading Karafilly's captivating novel smelling the mountain herbs, hearing the chatter of insects, and meeting both ordinary and extraordinary characters, there is no longer any need. The picture painted has left me feeling as though I had lived there for years!
I was also impressed with the author's representation of Calliope’s and Lorenz’s internal anguish. The character development was perfect, fully believable, and engaging. Karafilly makes her readers fall in love with Calliope and, surprisingly, even with the enemy, Lorenz Umbreit. It's a terrific story, told against a well-documented historic background.
I savoured every word. Irena’s writing is evocative and addictive. Lesbos is an island I have always wished to visit. But after reading Karafilly's captivating novel smelling the mountain herbs, hearing the chatter of insects, and meeting both ordinary and extraordinary characters, there is no longer any need. The picture painted has left me feeling as though I had lived there for years!
I was also impressed with the author's representation of Calliope’s and Lorenz’s internal anguish. The character development was perfect, fully believable, and engaging. Karafilly makes her readers fall in love with Calliope and, surprisingly, even with the enemy, Lorenz Umbreit. It's a terrific story, told against a well-documented historic background.
April 25, 2023
Read This Book!
A stunning work of historical research and imagination combined with a relatable heroine and a plot that pulls you forward through the horrors of Greek history from the 1940s to the 1970s. The personal and political combine as Calliope, the ordinary/extraordinary village schoolteacher interacts with German occupiers, collaborators and Resistance fighters. World War II morphs into Civil War segues into dictatorship as Calliope negotiates life, love, politics and the world beyond her village. The powerful and moving account of the day the tanks were sent in to break up student protests at Athens Polytechnic gave me a new understanding of why this event is still a scar on the Greek collective psyche. If you have any interest in modern Greece, read this book.
A stunning work of historical research and imagination combined with a relatable heroine and a plot that pulls you forward through the horrors of Greek history from the 1940s to the 1970s. The personal and political combine as Calliope, the ordinary/extraordinary village schoolteacher interacts with German occupiers, collaborators and Resistance fighters. World War II morphs into Civil War segues into dictatorship as Calliope negotiates life, love, politics and the world beyond her village. The powerful and moving account of the day the tanks were sent in to break up student protests at Athens Polytechnic gave me a new understanding of why this event is still a scar on the Greek collective psyche. If you have any interest in modern Greece, read this book.
April 19, 2023
I love historical fiction, especially when set during difficut times in foreign countries. I like what I can learn from it. I also like letter perfect prose, a strong female protagonist, and a compelling and satisfying storyline. For these reasons and many more, I loved this novel about a young woman navigating the turbulent cultural and political waters of her native country before, during, and after WorldWar ll. In Irena Karafilly's talented hands, the characters and landscapes come alive, drawing the reader inside the narrative as a first-hand observer. I could not have asked for more. This is as fine a read as I have had in along whie.
August 18, 2023
One of the best books I've recently read! Not only does it give a realistic view of the historical events, but it also lets us "zoom in" into real people's life. Deeply humanistic, shows real people, with the ugly traits and deeds side by side with the good ones.
I especially loved that he book is not aiming to glorify people or nations, etc. The characters, for example the main one, Calliope, have their flaws, their failures, personal preferences and decisions that sometimes only the same person in the same context can understand.
I truly enjoyed the book, was eager to "find out more", while in the same time I really didn't want it to end.
I especially loved that he book is not aiming to glorify people or nations, etc. The characters, for example the main one, Calliope, have their flaws, their failures, personal preferences and decisions that sometimes only the same person in the same context can understand.
I truly enjoyed the book, was eager to "find out more", while in the same time I really didn't want it to end.
April 5, 2026
3.5. Läste intensivt under en semester på Kreta.
Jag gillar som vanligt att läsa om olika människoöden mot bakgrund av olika historiska skeenden. Början av boken, som utspelar sig under andra världskriget, var bra, då drogs jag med av historien, relationer, händelser. När denna del övergår i inbördeskrig och så småningom diktatur blir boken trögare att läsa. Det är inget riktigt tempo o det börjar bli många olika bifigurer att hålla reda på.
På det hela taget är det intressant att få en inblick i de olika skedena av Greklands relativt nutida historia, men jag hade önskat få ännu mer av detta, och ännu mer djup i de människoöden som speglar historien, berättat i en mer koncentrerad form.
Jag gillar som vanligt att läsa om olika människoöden mot bakgrund av olika historiska skeenden. Början av boken, som utspelar sig under andra världskriget, var bra, då drogs jag med av historien, relationer, händelser. När denna del övergår i inbördeskrig och så småningom diktatur blir boken trögare att läsa. Det är inget riktigt tempo o det börjar bli många olika bifigurer att hålla reda på.
På det hela taget är det intressant att få en inblick i de olika skedena av Greklands relativt nutida historia, men jag hade önskat få ännu mer av detta, och ännu mer djup i de människoöden som speglar historien, berättat i en mer koncentrerad form.
July 24, 2023
A beautifully written page turner of a book, woven throughout with historical events of Modern day Greece. From the first page to the last, I was hooked with the narration of our heroine Calliope and her tale. The author has the gift of not only telling a brilliant story, but also manages to bring us the reality of some of the horrors and struggles that Greece has had to endure in its not too distant past. For fans of Victoria Hislop, Irena Karafilly will not disappoint. I enjoyed it immensley!
September 16, 2023
I loved this book. The story is captivating. The characters are rich and real. The writing is superb. I bought a copy to read and while waiting for it to arrive by mail, I listened to the book on Audible. I found myself going back to certain passages to hear them again - the writing was so beautiful. I seldom read books twice. But I can see myself returning to this book - to listen a second time. Kudos to Irena Karafilly. I felt like I was in Greece as I listened; living the story with those characters. A great achievement.
October 8, 2023
I enjoyed the era and the love story at the beginning of the book, but that is a relatively small part of the story. I personally found the multiple supporting characters introduced confusing, and detracted from the main narrative. It was an interesting read on the aspect of learning about Greek history of that time period, however as the book neared its end, the feel of it was that of a different book to the one I had read at the beginning. Perhaps that shows the main protagonist's journey, but it just wasn't to my personal taste.
April 3, 2023
A beautifully written, intricate story with a formidable, inspirational heroine.
The novel reflects on Greek history and society sensitively and astutely, with warmth, humour, empathy, an objective eye and an underlying sense of justice. Calliope, the heroine, is a fascinating woman, a true pioneer, forging her own path through uncharted waters. Her journey is complex, unpredictable and utterly engaging. An empowering and powerful call for girls' and women's rights.
The novel reflects on Greek history and society sensitively and astutely, with warmth, humour, empathy, an objective eye and an underlying sense of justice. Calliope, the heroine, is a fascinating woman, a true pioneer, forging her own path through uncharted waters. Her journey is complex, unpredictable and utterly engaging. An empowering and powerful call for girls' and women's rights.
April 30, 2023
Arrested Song is a delight for anyone interested in Greece. As I spend several months yearly in Molyvos and enjoy its beauty and atmosphere, this book reminds me of the harsh Greek reality and the heroism of ordinary people in this extended period of the 20th century. I admire Calliope's sense of justice, her capacity to live and love beyond ideologies. Irena Karafilly's style is beautiful, her prose evocative.
June 7, 2023
Brilliant. Evoking every emotion while educating about Greek modern history.
This novel managed to raise laughter, tears and every emotion in between. I learned so much about the period. Living in a Greece it has helped me understand the recent changes in women’s lives due to the turmoil experienced during and after WW2. Loving Greece is never hard but understanding the deep convictions of its people takes more work. Thank you.
This novel managed to raise laughter, tears and every emotion in between. I learned so much about the period. Living in a Greece it has helped me understand the recent changes in women’s lives due to the turmoil experienced during and after WW2. Loving Greece is never hard but understanding the deep convictions of its people takes more work. Thank you.
June 13, 2023
I learned so much more about the time periods covered in this book. The personal relationships and emotion of the characters was so vivid and true.
The pitting of political ideologies against one another should serve as a cautionary tale. The dividing of people is easiest way to destroy a village, town, country or civilization.
I loved the descriptive sensory memories of Easter/springtime in Greece.
I could feel it through the written words.
The pitting of political ideologies against one another should serve as a cautionary tale. The dividing of people is easiest way to destroy a village, town, country or civilization.
I loved the descriptive sensory memories of Easter/springtime in Greece.
I could feel it through the written words.
August 8, 2023
i was immediately drawn into this story, the reality, the harshness of the lives of these occupied people. the same way, i was moved by the beauty and of the strength of the main character, the land and the way of life through all these unbelievable circumstances. you wonder how you would survive or if you could. it was very appealing as i am very in love with the greek country, the beautiful islands and the warm but quirky people. enjoy the journey irene takes you on, it is well worth it.
August 4, 2026
I quite enjoyed this- perhaps more interested than involved in the events. The historical element was the highlight for me and I liked many of the characters ( although agree with some that it can get confusing). The trials of Greek life- possibly more shocking after the war- was clearly well researched and written and Calliope’s love and anger at her country was convincing and authentic. Well worth a read.
August 10, 2023
Loved this. Compelling listening (I listened to the audio version), extremely well written and the narrator brought it all to life. Brought to light elements of recent Greek history that are essentially just around the corner and are little known. I was amazed how I could continue to be drawn in and held for the full nearly 15 hours. Thoroughly recommended.
September 22, 2023
I enjoyed this book, feeling that the main character should have been born much later as her views and outlook belonged to our times
Certainly the details describe the turbulent times that Greece has gone through in the last decades since the German occupation. And those details have been thoroughly researched making it an interesting read.
Certainly the details describe the turbulent times that Greece has gone through in the last decades since the German occupation. And those details have been thoroughly researched making it an interesting read.
March 26, 2025
Greek history is hard… and living here makes it all come more alive. The fact that Greece has really only had peace since the late 1970’s is hard to imagine. That’s around the time I was born. This book was especially interesting because it takes place on the island of Lesvos where I live, so I recognized the places and names.
March 29, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Calliope, a Greek woman working as a translator for the Nazis occupying her country during WWII. Well written historical fiction, well worth the read.
The story of Calliope, a Greek woman working as a translator for the Nazis occupying her country during WWII. Well written historical fiction, well worth the read.
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