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It is the wanton destruction of Greece's history, the looting of incredibly important artefacts to satisfy the whims of the wealthy are really brought home and Helena's bravery and courage in facing up to the sins of her own family, and her determination to bring justice is perfectly portrayed. In her third novel, The Thread, Victoria returned to Greece to tell the extraordinary and turbulent tale of Thessaloniki and its people across the 20 th century. Published in 2011 to widespread acclaim, it confirmed her reputation as an inspirational storyteller and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. The Thread is currently in development with a British TV production company. Helena's attempt to make amends for some of her grandfather's actions sees her wrestle with the meaning of 'home', both in relation to looted objects of antiquity ... and herself.
The Figurine (Audio Download): Victoria Hislop, Review The Figurine (Audio Download): Victoria Hislop, Review
But there was a huge list of ‘cons’, so I asked for a week to think it over. For the following days, my stomach lurched when I pictured myself on stage, performing live. Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors - and looters - alike.
When Helena inherits her grandparents' apartment in Athens, she is overwhelmed with memories of the summers she spent there as a child, when Greece was under a brutal military dictatorship. Her remote, cruel grandfather was one of the regime's generals and as she sifts through the dusty rooms, Helena discovers an array of valuable objects and antiquities. How did her grandfather amass such a trove? What human price was paid for them?
Helena's desire to find answers about her heritage dovetails with a growing curiosity for archaeology, ignited by a summer spent with volunteers on a dig on an Aegean island. Their finds fuel her determination to protect the precious fragments recovered from the baked earth - and to understand the origins of her grandfather's collection.
Helena's attempt to make amends for some of her grandfather's actions sees her wrestle with the meaning of 'home', both in relation to looted objects of antiquity ... and herself.
He said he would like to do a biopsy there and then. It took just a moment but was like being punched for a fraction of a second. He taped me up and, even before I had left hospital, I was given a date with a breast surgeon to find out the result. Gut instinct told me it was cancer. I had no doubt.
The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean
readers can’t fail to be swept up in her ongoing love affair with all things Greek and, in The Figurine, the focus turns to the country’s ancient statuettes and the looting trade that surrounds them.[…]a gripping storyline that leaves no stone unturned” This was a wonderful read . . . a vivid picture of Greece and the people who live there’ Real Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The idea came out of a conversation with some school teachers in Crete.” said Victoria “They commented that there were so many themes in the story that were as relevant to children as to adults but felt that the original novel was a little too grown-up for many of them. I realised that much of the book is actually about children and their experiences of stigma and loss, so this has been a wonderful experience for me, to look at things through their eyes. Writing for children requires a whole different set of skills and I hope they will enjoy reading it.”
The Figurine
As she grows up she realises that her Grandfather is a terrible man but still enjoys her visits to Greece where she starts to the learn the language and connects with her Grandmother. She fears her Grandfather but once he passes away she finds her Grandmother a much lighter person.
The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean
The book is a treasure of stories-Helena's childhood summer holidays with her grandparents, within the context of a suppressive military regime. The beautiful telling of her relationship with her mother, Hislop is artful in how she explores the slow unfolding of understanding one's parents through childhood and in to adulthood. One month on from #thefigurine coming out, here� Victoria Hislopislop with a reading from the novel. The surgeon seemed to be watching me closely as he gave me the test result. ‘It is cancer,’ he said. Helena’s attempt to make amends for some of her grandfather’s actions sees her wrestle with the meaning of ‘home’, both in relation to looted objects of antiquity … and herself. I loved The island but unfortunately I think this is where the author reached her peak. So far anyway.
Praise for Maria’s Island
Author Victoria Hislop has confessed that her new book, The Figurine, contains a “very passionate view" about the world's antiquities and where they should really be. There is no doubting Victoria Hislop is an incredible storyteller who has opened up the history of Greece to a wider contemporary world ; her attention to detail and the creation of warm and sympathetic characters instantly grabs readers . These educational resources carefully and sensitively explore curriculum-based themes such as prejudice, isolation, discrimination, and most importantly, hope.
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