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booktwitcher23's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
karinzoueini's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
thereadingiris's review against another edition
5.0
What a delight to read those short stories by Victoria Hislop. As in her novels, you can feel her love for Greece and its people and that's what makes her stories so beautiful. Always a pleasure to read!
elainetodd's review against another edition
3.5
3.5 stars I read this for a book club and maybe would not have become aware of it otherwise. I very much appreciate the postface by the author that explains that she sought to reveal the darker parts of Greek life and history while still showing her delight in the country and it's people. She certainly achieved this.
Each story is a kind of slice of life in the lives of Greek people. the owner of a Zacharoplasteion[dessert pastry shop],a teacher , a couple, a Kafenion[Greek café]. They explore love and family, politics and long held grudges. They were all very short stories yet managed to touch my emotions at times , if not as much as a full length novel would do . The Last Dance itself is heart wrenching. Many of the stories had very unfinished endings which for me sometimes worked but in others left me frustrated. The writing is good and I really feel like I've been immersed in a little bit of Greece for a few hours . I would certainly read another book by Victoria as these were more than enough to show her skill as a writer
Each story is a kind of slice of life in the lives of Greek people. the owner of a Zacharoplasteion[dessert pastry shop],a teacher , a couple, a Kafenion[Greek café]. They explore love and family, politics and long held grudges. They were all very short stories yet managed to touch my emotions at times , if not as much as a full length novel would do . The Last Dance itself is heart wrenching. Many of the stories had very unfinished endings which for me sometimes worked but in others left me frustrated. The writing is good and I really feel like I've been immersed in a little bit of Greece for a few hours . I would certainly read another book by Victoria as these were more than enough to show her skill as a writer
vicki_faye's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Gentle very short stories that don’t necessarily go anyway but are enjoyable nonetheless
rach_s's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Short stories that give an insight into Greek life.
hottoddie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars I read this for a book club and maybe would not have become aware of it otherwise. I very much appreciate the postface by the author that explains that she sought to reveal the darker parts of Greek life and history while still showing her delight in the country and it's people. She certainly achieved this.
Each story is a kind of slice of life in the lives of Greek people. the owner of a Zacharoplasteion[dessert pastry shop],a teacher , a couple, a Kafenion[Greek café]. They explore love and family, politics and long held grudges. They were all very short stories yet managed to touch my emotions at times , if not as much as a full length novel would do . The Last Dance itself is heart wrenching. Many of the stories had very unfinished endings which for me sometimes worked but in others left me frustrated. The writing is good and I really feel like I've been immersed in a little bit of Greece for a few hours . I would certainly read another book by Victoria as these were more than enough to show her skill as a writer
Each story is a kind of slice of life in the lives of Greek people. the owner of a Zacharoplasteion[dessert pastry shop],a teacher , a couple, a Kafenion[Greek café]. They explore love and family, politics and long held grudges. They were all very short stories yet managed to touch my emotions at times , if not as much as a full length novel would do . The Last Dance itself is heart wrenching. Many of the stories had very unfinished endings which for me sometimes worked but in others left me frustrated. The writing is good and I really feel like I've been immersed in a little bit of Greece for a few hours . I would certainly read another book by Victoria as these were more than enough to show her skill as a writer
tronella's review against another edition
1.0
Disappointingly boring. I don't think short stories are the author's strong point... every time something was about to start happening, the story immediately ended, so every story was dull and ended too abruptly. ("Once upon a time, some totally Greek people were in Greece. They did nothing for a while. Then something happened! They felt conflicted about the thing that had happened. The end.")
I read this because my mother and sister both said her novel The Island was great, so perhaps Victoria Hisplop is better at longer stories. I probably won't hurry to check it out, though.
I read this because my mother and sister both said her novel The Island was great, so perhaps Victoria Hisplop is better at longer stories. I probably won't hurry to check it out, though.
clarxvizconde13's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
All stories were set in Greece, mirroring the daily lives of the Greeks, and not as how they're seen through rose-colored lenses