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Когато кипарисът шепне
Роман за любовта, за силата на женското сърце и за връзката ни с нашите корени – сред ароматите и цветовете на вълшебен гръцки остров
Дъщеря на гръцки имигранти, Дафни израства с американската мечта и я постига. Когато съпругът й загива в автомобилна катастрофа, тя остава сама с малко бебе, купища неплатени сметки и с амбицията да издържа семейството си и любимата си я-я – нейната баба, която живее на вълшебния гръцки остров Ерикуса. Ресторантът на Дафни се прочува, а тя намира втори шанс в любовта с богат и красив годеник.
Сега се завръща при своята я-я, за да направи сватбата си на скъпо за нея място, сред любими хора – на острова, където е прекарала много блажени лета в своето детство.
Дафни преоткрива страстта си към живота – в богатите на аромати гръцки ястия, в тюркоазените води на залива, в нежния дъх на зефира и в чувствените звуци на сиртакито... Потъва в древните легенди и магическите истории, които й разказва нейната я-я. В една от тях обаче й е трудно да повярва: че баба й притежава дарбата да вижда бъдещето и да чува гласа на острова в шепота на кипарисите.
Историята, която й разказва загадъчния рибар Яни, отваря сетивата й за невидимото и Дафни преоткрива не само миналото, но и своите желания.
Дали най-накрая кипарисите ще проговорят и на Дафни? Дали това ще промени плановете й за бъдещето?
Понякога, Дафни му, когато не знаем по кой път да поемем, когато се чувстваме обезверени и изгубени, трябва само да притихнем и да слушаме. Спасението е пред очите ни... Шепотът на кипарисите винаги е наоколо и чака да го чуем.
Минало и настояще се преплитат красиво в тази богата на багри, на вкусове и чувства история за жена, разкъсвана между два свята – между непреодолимия зов на кръвта и неумолимите потребности на ежедневието.
Роман за любовта – за безусловната любов на майки и баби, за страстната и всеотдайна любов към единствения – този, който кара сърцето ти да разтуптява, и за магическата любов към нашите корени.
Дъщеря на гръцки имигранти, Дафни израства с американската мечта и я постига. Когато съпругът й загива в автомобилна катастрофа, тя остава сама с малко бебе, купища неплатени сметки и с амбицията да издържа семейството си и любимата си я-я – нейната баба, която живее на вълшебния гръцки остров Ерикуса. Ресторантът на Дафни се прочува, а тя намира втори шанс в любовта с богат и красив годеник.
Сега се завръща при своята я-я, за да направи сватбата си на скъпо за нея място, сред любими хора – на острова, където е прекарала много блажени лета в своето детство.
Дафни преоткрива страстта си към живота – в богатите на аромати гръцки ястия, в тюркоазените води на залива, в нежния дъх на зефира и в чувствените звуци на сиртакито... Потъва в древните легенди и магическите истории, които й разказва нейната я-я. В една от тях обаче й е трудно да повярва: че баба й притежава дарбата да вижда бъдещето и да чува гласа на острова в шепота на кипарисите.
Историята, която й разказва загадъчния рибар Яни, отваря сетивата й за невидимото и Дафни преоткрива не само миналото, но и своите желания.
Дали най-накрая кипарисите ще проговорят и на Дафни? Дали това ще промени плановете й за бъдещето?
Понякога, Дафни му, когато не знаем по кой път да поемем, когато се чувстваме обезверени и изгубени, трябва само да притихнем и да слушаме. Спасението е пред очите ни... Шепотът на кипарисите винаги е наоколо и чака да го чуем.
Минало и настояще се преплитат красиво в тази богата на багри, на вкусове и чувства история за жена, разкъсвана между два свята – между непреодолимия зов на кръвта и неумолимите потребности на ежедневието.
Роман за любовта – за безусловната любов на майки и баби, за страстната и всеотдайна любов към единствения – този, който кара сърцето ти да разтуптява, и за магическата любов към нашите корени.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Yvette Manessis Corporon
9 books142 followersYvette Manessis Corporon is an Emmy award winning writer, producer and internationally best selling author of fiction and non fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
November 2, 2020
Having really enjoyed the author's 2017 non-fiction Something Beautiful Happened, it was an insta-click for this free contemporary fiction read from KOBO. There is no denying that the author in this fictional debut from 2014 can tell a good story that intrigued me as a reader, but the story gets muddled by a lot of character cliches and melodrama. However, the one glimmer of interest is the WWII story that Daphne's grandmother shares because it is based on actual fact.
May 3, 2014
Starting this book, I was very excited. The plot about a woman finding herself appeals to me and it became clear very early on that magical realism was going to play a role in this story as well. The place descriptions were hit or miss for me, but the author did a great job capturing the main character’s feelings as a little girl. This made sense because the author has mentioned that she drew on her own childhood experiences when writing the book. I also loved the Greek culture that was included, from a sprinkling of Greek words to great food descriptions. The myths that were included were another thing that was hit or miss for me, since sometimes it felt like too much exposition, but in general signs pointed to this being a book I was going to enjoy immensely. However, the modern day story just didn’t work for me.
It’s clear from the beginning that something is supposed to be wrong with Daphne’s relationship with her fiance. He doesn’t do anything wrong though and seems like a good guy. He’s not entirely comfortable with Greek culture and he helped Daphne enough that she questions her ability to run her restaurant on her own. That doesn’t make him a bad guy though or even the wrong guy for Daphne. The one truly terrible thing he does seems completely out of character for him. I just didn’t buy it. And the fact that Daphne is sexually attracted to another man who never apologized for being a jerk to her when they first met didn’t sit well with me either. In fact, not only is he a jerk to her, her wonderful Yia-yia completely lets him get away with it. Both Daphne’s Yia-yia and the sexy jerk might have a point that Daphne would be happier if she spent more time on family and less time at work. However, they were both very harsh to Daphne and she was very hard on herself. In the end, it made me feel like the moral of this story was that women should prioritize families over their careers and that people are bad if they don’t maintain their traditional ways.
I still might have given this book three stars, because the writing is honestly good enough that it deserves three stars, if it weren’t for the ending. Despite the message of the book, I could have been happy for our main character if she got a happy ending. Instead she gets an ambiguous ending in which sexy jerk is once again a jerk and there is no explanation of how she resolves the conflict between her career and family obligations. I know some people like ambiguous endings, but I hate them and that was enough to solidly ruin this book for me.
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
It’s clear from the beginning that something is supposed to be wrong with Daphne’s relationship with her fiance. He doesn’t do anything wrong though and seems like a good guy. He’s not entirely comfortable with Greek culture and he helped Daphne enough that she questions her ability to run her restaurant on her own. That doesn’t make him a bad guy though or even the wrong guy for Daphne. The one truly terrible thing he does seems completely out of character for him. I just didn’t buy it. And the fact that Daphne is sexually attracted to another man who never apologized for being a jerk to her when they first met didn’t sit well with me either. In fact, not only is he a jerk to her, her wonderful Yia-yia completely lets him get away with it. Both Daphne’s Yia-yia and the sexy jerk might have a point that Daphne would be happier if she spent more time on family and less time at work. However, they were both very harsh to Daphne and she was very hard on herself. In the end, it made me feel like the moral of this story was that women should prioritize families over their careers and that people are bad if they don’t maintain their traditional ways.
I still might have given this book three stars, because the writing is honestly good enough that it deserves three stars, if it weren’t for the ending. Despite the message of the book, I could have been happy for our main character if she got a happy ending. Instead she gets an ambiguous ending in which sexy jerk is once again a jerk and there is no explanation of how she resolves the conflict between her career and family obligations. I know some people like ambiguous endings, but I hate them and that was enough to solidly ruin this book for me.
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
April 17, 2014
This book was written like a script for a sappy tv series or movie. The main character, Daphne, is wholly unlikeable. I did enjoy the descriptions of Greek dishes and mythology, but not much else in this book. I'm not even sure what it attempted to achieve. Reading the author's acknowledgements at the end it was supposed to be some form of tribute to the bravery of the islanders sheltering a Jewish family during WW2, but it fell short of that mark for me.
I will attempt to communicate some of the main issues I have with this novel:
- the romance with Yianni was too predictable (and not only that, it fizzles out)
- Daphne breaks up with her fiancé who has travelled all the way to Greece for their wedding and then straight after runs headlong into the arms of Yianni, only for their romance to fall apart at the end of the summer. This after she appears to recognise that he was the source of renewed life in her.
- Daphne metamorphosed into someone completely different when she arrived back in Greece (and no wonder her fiancé was taken aback and unprepared). At least she didn't end up in an unhappy marriage.
- Dialogue that seems to spell out everything. Nothing is subtle in this book.
I don't even feel like commenting on the rest. I caught myself rolling my eyes and sighing in annoyance way too often. Do not recommend.
I will attempt to communicate some of the main issues I have with this novel:
- the romance with Yianni was too predictable (and not only that, it fizzles out)
- Daphne breaks up with her fiancé who has travelled all the way to Greece for their wedding and then straight after runs headlong into the arms of Yianni, only for their romance to fall apart at the end of the summer. This after she appears to recognise that he was the source of renewed life in her.
- Daphne metamorphosed into someone completely different when she arrived back in Greece (and no wonder her fiancé was taken aback and unprepared). At least she didn't end up in an unhappy marriage.
- Dialogue that seems to spell out everything. Nothing is subtle in this book.
I don't even feel like commenting on the rest. I caught myself rolling my eyes and sighing in annoyance way too often. Do not recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2015
Ovo je najbliže ljubavnom romanu, ali onom, onako tipičnom "prvo si mi antipatičan, a onda otkrijem da si čovjek mog života" ljubavnom romanu, koje ja, u pravilu, zaobilazim u širokom luku... Dakle, što se tiče same priče, vjerojatno bi roman ocijenila puno niže.. Daphne, porijeklom Grkinja, vraća se na otok svoga djetinjstva..sada je već majka ( i zaručnica) te se tamo, uz svoju baku i šuštanje čempresa, sjeća djetinjstva, nekih dragih ljudi, ali također sklapa nova poznanstva i dolazi do nekih novih spoznaja o sebi i onome što u stvari želi od života. Ipak, ovaj roman ima nešto što ga čini posebnim, što me je i privuklo (uz prekrasnu naslovnicu ;) ) i zbog čega sam ga, u konačnici , i pročitala, a to su prekrasni opisi Grčke... Oni opisi uz koje osjećate mirise, čujete zvukove, vidite boje i uživate u okusima onoga što se opisuje, a u ovom slučaju, radi se o grčkom otoku, vjerovanjima i običajima njegovih žitelja... Tako da, eto, ovo je jedna lijepa priča, lagana.. Pravo štivo za odmor i relaksaciju... Vjerujem da će se svidjeti većini, pogotovo onim čitateljima koje od knjige traže prvenstveno opuštanje bez dubokih promišljanja ili suza..A može i za zahtjevnije čitatelje kada budu "u fazi za ovako nešto"... :)
June 25, 2016
Visoka ocjena zbog grčkog otoka i Ya-ye, a ja sam u glavi imala sliku drniškog krša i svoje drage bake Mande, valjda mi je zato baš "sjela".
April 29, 2014
When the Cypress Whisper – Yvette Manessis Corppron (2014)
April 28, 2014 by heavenali | Edit
whencypresswhispers
Received from Harper Collins for an honest review
This novel may have suffered for me from being read after three exceptionally good books in a row all of which are very different to this novel. However the fact remains I’m afraid, I didn’t much like this book. I had expected a light read, with a lovely setting, and it is both of those things – and I’m fairly sure there is nothing much wrong with the novel really – it just wasn’t for me. Feeling that I had to finish it as it was a review copy, I raced through it in order to finish it as quickly as I could. I notice that there are quite a number of four and five star reviews for this novel on Goodreads so it really might have just been me.
Daphne is a widowed single mother, a successful chef living in New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants Daphne struggles to find her way through life, having suffered two tragedies in her life. Daphne’s happiest memories are those of the times she spent with her beloved Yia-yia (grandmother) on Erikousa an island off the coast of Greece where in many ways time has stood still. The old traditions and myths are still very much a way of life, and it was here in her grandmother’s kitchen that Daphne developed her cookery skills. Daphne is now engaged to the wealthy Stephen, and appears to have everything in life she ever wanted. Yet her Yia-yia is calling her back to Erikousa and so she has persuaded Stephen that their marriage should take place there.
However once Daphne and her young daughter are in Erikousa, it seems that Yia-yia can see through the perfection, and knows that Daphne is making a mistake. Yia-yia has secrets from the war that she has never shared with Daphne till now; the ageing woman still has lessons to teach her grand-daughter. Stephen arrives a few days before the wedding and is immediately ill at ease with the old world traditions and Greek exuberance that surround him. He doesn’t appreciate Daphne’s beliefs, instead seeing ways for money to be made out of the old world charm, frappes and sweets.
Enter a handsome man who has been caring for Yia-yia during Daphne’s long absence, and who obviously disapproves of her American lifestyle. Daphne’s first meeting with Yianni is not a success; they are hostile and rude to one another, instantly appearing to dislike one another, sorry but I just hate that kind of thing, it’s just too obvious. A dark, handsome man, whose rude and hostile, war-time secrets, the juxtaposition of traditional ways of life with those of the modern world, ancient myths and legends. I’m afraid the well-worn plot devices were just too many for me.
There are one or two things that I do think were good, the setting is lovely, and the author has successfully blended the old Greek myths and traditions with the story of a young woman trying to make sense of her life. The characters of Daphne’s cousin Popi and her grandmother are really well done as is the child Evie. There is a lot of mouth-watering descriptions of Greek food and cookery that really enhance the sense of place, Erikousa comes across as a place I wanted to spend time, a place I could go to escape the modern world, that idea does sometimes appeal.
I suspect a lot of people will like this book, I’m just sorry I didn’t. Oh dear I do feel bad, I hate saying bad things about a book I have been sent, but I can’t say I liked something when I didn’t.
January 26, 2020
Be prepared to cry because I cried, A LOT during this book.
It's an emotional roller-coaster but an amazing one. This book speaks to a part of our souls, in a way. To the primordial part that remembers what it is like to live in community and with a "clan" (as in family). I really enjoyed this read and this journey with Daphne and I was very happy with the ending. I have no words to describe this book, besides intense, breathtaking and a full journey.
Loved it!
It's an emotional roller-coaster but an amazing one. This book speaks to a part of our souls, in a way. To the primordial part that remembers what it is like to live in community and with a "clan" (as in family). I really enjoyed this read and this journey with Daphne and I was very happy with the ending. I have no words to describe this book, besides intense, breathtaking and a full journey.
Loved it!
June 24, 2016
Na tristo stranica razvlaci na dugo i na siroko i onda u zadnjih tridesetak sve zbrcka i zavrsi. Ono sto je bitno tijekom cijele price, na kraju vise nije.. Previse ostavljenih pitanja u zraku koja su bitna za cijelu pricu.. Da nije bilo Yaye, ne bi imalo smisla niti citati! :P
A ljubavni dio price nisam osjetila.. Netko se volio?!
A ljubavni dio price nisam osjetila.. Netko se volio?!
September 17, 2017
Iznenađujeće lijepo putovanje u Grčku,na otok Erikousa.Na stranu malo sladunjavosti i već poznatog scenarija fatalne ljubavi,spisateljica je uspješno dočarala prizore,mirise,okuse i tradiciju Grčke. Upravo zbog toga vrijedi potrošiti malo vremena na na ovu knjigu. Čak i ako niste ljubitelj romantičnog žanra.
October 4, 2022
Ms. Corporon is clearly a gifted writer. Her descriptive passages in this novel “When the Cypress Whispers” capture so much of the Greek culture. The traditions, the food, the mythology on this small island of Erikousa in the Ionian Sea just sing. Regretfully the same cannot be said about the Harlequin Romance/Hallmark movie inspired plot, nor the stereotypical character development.
Daphne, our heroine, is a 4 star chef in NYC. Widowed with a young daughter she returns to Erikousa ostensibly to celebrate and share her remarriage to Stephen, a wealthy NYC businessman.
( arrogant, impatient, obsessed with money and appearances) with her beloved grandmother and cousins. Enter Yianni, a handsome, well-educated fisherman whose grandmother shared a tragic history with Daphne’s grandmother. The arc of the storyline is poorly executed with a sudden ending that disappoints.
Daphne, our heroine, is a 4 star chef in NYC. Widowed with a young daughter she returns to Erikousa ostensibly to celebrate and share her remarriage to Stephen, a wealthy NYC businessman.
( arrogant, impatient, obsessed with money and appearances) with her beloved grandmother and cousins. Enter Yianni, a handsome, well-educated fisherman whose grandmother shared a tragic history with Daphne’s grandmother. The arc of the storyline is poorly executed with a sudden ending that disappoints.
December 23, 2015
Η Δάφνη, γόνος Ελλήνων μεταναστών, επιστρέφει στο νησί των π��ιδικών της χρόνων, την Ερεικούσα, γα να παντρευτεί τον επιτυχημένο επιχειρηματία Στίβεν, άφθαρτο, ατσαλάκωτο, επιτυχημένο, λάτρη της οργάνωσης και businessman. Οι γονείς της έχουν ανοίξει ένα εστιατόριο στη Νέα Υόρκη κι εκείνη συνεχίζει την παράδοση. Μετά τον θάνατο του πρώτου της συζύγου, Άλεξ, μεγαλώνει μόνη την κόρη της, Εύα, ώσπου γνωρίζει τον Στίβεν. Το ταξίδι στην Ερεικούσα όμως θα αλλάξει για πάντα τη ζωή της.
Ένα υπέροχο, τρυφερό μυθιστόρημα που ακροβατεί επιδέξια ανάμεσα στη συγκίνηση και το ρομαντικό μυθιστόρημα, που εξισορροπεί με ικανοποιητικό τρόπο μεταξύ του έρωτα και της πραγματικότητας. Είναι μια υπέροχη ιστορία, χωρίς εκπλήξεις και ανατροπές, καλογραμμένη και πέρα για πέρα αληθινή. Δε με νοιάζει που κατάλαβα από την αρχή πού το πάει, με νοιάζει που τα λόγια της συγγραφέως θρονιάστηκαν στην καρδιά μου και με έκαναν να ζήσω όμορφες στιγμές με τη Δάφνη και τη γιαγιά της, Ευαγγελία. Ίσως φανούν παρωχημένες αρκετές σκηνές που αναφέρονται στην ελληνική νοοτροπία και καθημερινότητα ενός απομονωμένου νησιού (μαυροφορεμένες γυναίκες, κοινωνικά στερεότυπα, σαλιάρικη υποδοχή των γερόντων στο καράβι με τους ξένους και τους δικούς που έρχονται στο νησί κλπ.) και επιπλέον αρκετές σκηνές θα θυμίσουν την ταινία Γάμος α λα ελληνικά (το στιφάδο φέρνει πορδές, φίλα την εικόνα, η θεία κοινωνία περνάει από όλα τα στόματα, ελληνική κουζίνα με φέτα και ελληνικός χορός με συρτάκι κλπ.). Δε με ενόχλησε τίποτε από όλα αυτά. Αμερικανίδα η συγγραφέας και σε ξένους κυρίως απευθύνεται, γι’ αυτό και οι τόσες πληροφορίες γύρω από την ελληνική κουλτούρα, που προσωπικά τις προσπέρασα.
Θα σταθώ στην ουσία του βιβλίου: την ιστορία, τα συναισθήματα, τους χαρακτήρες, που ήταν τόσο καλοδοσμένα και καλογραμμένα πο�� με συγκίνησαν. Η γιαγιά Ευαγγελία, η χήρα που έχει το χάρισμα να ακούει τον ψίθυρο των κυπαρισσιών, είναι μια γυναίκα που περνάνε όλα από τα χέρια της, είναι εκπληκτική μαγείρισσα, ξέρει να διαβάσει άριστα την ανθρώπινη ψυχή και δε βλέπει τη λάμψη στο πρόσωπο της εγγονής της όταν μιλάει για τον άντρα που θα παντρευτεί. Η Δάφνη, μια γυναίκα με δυο πατρίδες κι ένα παιδί, τι βρήκε στον Στίβεν; Σιγουριά και ασφάλεια, έρωτα και αγάπη; Και γιατί καρδιοχτυπάει όταν γνωρίζει τον ψαρά Γιάννη, μια αινιγματική προσωπικότητα με τον οποίο κοντραρίστηκαν από την πρώτη στιγμή για να κρύψει το χτυποκάρδι της; Θα καταλάβει τι κόστος πλήρωσε ώστε να είναι τώρα μια επιτυχημένη επιχειρηματίας και όχι μια ευτυχισμένη μητέρα; Η μικρή Εύα, με τη γλυκιά της αθωότητα, κατά καιρούς πετάει φοβερές ερωτήσεις που δυσκολεύουν τη μητέρα της και της δίνουν να καταλάβει πόσα έχασε από την ανατροφή της κόρης της: απλά πράγματα, παιχνίδι, μια καληνύχτα, ποιοτικό χρόνο μαζί της.
Η ιστορία εκτυλίσσεται κυρίως στο σήμερα, με τη Δάφνη κάπου κάπου να θυμάται τη ζωή της στη Νέα Υόρκη, με τις δυσκολίες και τον οπισθοδρομικό τρόπο ανατροφής των γονιών της, ακόμη και στην πιο πολύβουη πόλη του κόσμου! Μεγαλώμενη αυστηρά και ηθικά, λες και ζούσε στην Ερεικούσα ακόμη, κι όμως κατάφερε να επιβάλει τα θέλω της και να ζήσει τη ζωή που ήθελε. Τώρα έφτασε όμως στο κρίσιμο σταυροδρόμι της καρδιάς της. Είναι άραγε η Δάφνη ευλογημένη να ακούσει κι εκείνη τον ψίθυρο των κυπαρισσιών; Ποιες θα είναι οι επιλογές της και ποιες οι συνέπειες; Τι συνέβη εκείνη τη νύχτα της γερμανικής Κατοχής μεταξύ της γιαγιάς Ευαγγελίας και μιας εβραϊκής οικογένειας;
Υπέροχο μυθιστόρημα, γεμάτο ελληνικές γεύσεις, ιστορίες από την ελληνική μυθολογία, αληθινούς χαρακτήρες και μια γυναίκα μεταξύ παρελθόντος και παρόντος, μεταξύ αλήθειας και ονείρου, μεταξύ κατσαρόλας με στιφάδο και γλάστρας με βασιλικό. Καλοδουλεμένο, δείχνει αγάπη για την Ελλάδα οσο κι αν κάποιες σκηνές είναι παρατραβηγμένες, καίριο και άμεσο, μου κράτησε καλή συντροφιά.
Ένα υπέροχο, τρυφερό μυθιστόρημα που ακροβατεί επιδέξια ανάμεσα στη συγκίνηση και το ρομαντικό μυθιστόρημα, που εξισορροπεί με ικανοποιητικό τρόπο μεταξύ του έρωτα και της πραγματικότητας. Είναι μια υπέροχη ιστορία, χωρίς εκπλήξεις και ανατροπές, καλογραμμένη και πέρα για πέρα αληθινή. Δε με νοιάζει που κατάλαβα από την αρχή πού το πάει, με νοιάζει που τα λόγια της συγγραφέως θρονιάστηκαν στην καρδιά μου και με έκαναν να ζήσω όμορφες στιγμές με τη Δάφνη και τη γιαγιά της, Ευαγγελία. Ίσως φανούν παρωχημένες αρκετές σκηνές που αναφέρονται στην ελληνική νοοτροπία και καθημερινότητα ενός απομονωμένου νησιού (μαυροφορεμένες γυναίκες, κοινωνικά στερεότυπα, σαλιάρικη υποδοχή των γερόντων στο καράβι με τους ξένους και τους δικούς που έρχονται στο νησί κλπ.) και επιπλέον αρκετές σκηνές θα θυμίσουν την ταινία Γάμος α λα ελληνικά (το στιφάδο φέρνει πορδές, φίλα την εικόνα, η θεία κοινωνία περνάει από όλα τα στόματα, ελληνική κουζίνα με φέτα και ελληνικός χορός με συρτάκι κλπ.). Δε με ενόχλησε τίποτε από όλα αυτά. Αμερικανίδα η συγγραφέας και σε ξένους κυρίως απευθύνεται, γι’ αυτό και οι τόσες πληροφορίες γύρω από την ελληνική κουλτούρα, που προσωπικά τις προσπέρασα.
Θα σταθώ στην ουσία του βιβλίου: την ιστορία, τα συναισθήματα, τους χαρακτήρες, που ήταν τόσο καλοδοσμένα και καλογραμμένα πο�� με συγκίνησαν. Η γιαγιά Ευαγγελία, η χήρα που έχει το χάρισμα να ακούει τον ψίθυρο των κυπαρισσιών, είναι μια γυναίκα που περνάνε όλα από τα χέρια της, είναι εκπληκτική μαγείρισσα, ξέρει να διαβάσει άριστα την ανθρώπινη ψυχή και δε βλέπει τη λάμψη στο πρόσωπο της εγγονής της όταν μιλάει για τον άντρα που θα παντρευτεί. Η Δάφνη, μια γυναίκα με δυο πατρίδες κι ένα παιδί, τι βρήκε στον Στίβεν; Σιγουριά και ασφάλεια, έρωτα και αγάπη; Και γιατί καρδιοχτυπάει όταν γνωρίζει τον ψαρά Γιάννη, μια αινιγματική προσωπικότητα με τον οποίο κοντραρίστηκαν από την πρώτη στιγμή για να κρύψει το χτυποκάρδι της; Θα καταλάβει τι κόστος πλήρωσε ώστε να είναι τώρα μια επιτυχημένη επιχειρηματίας και όχι μια ευτυχισμένη μητέρα; Η μικρή Εύα, με τη γλυκιά της αθωότητα, κατά καιρούς πετάει φοβερές ερωτήσεις που δυσκολεύουν τη μητέρα της και της δίνουν να καταλάβει πόσα έχασε από την ανατροφή της κόρης της: απλά πράγματα, παιχνίδι, μια καληνύχτα, ποιοτικό χρόνο μαζί της.
Η ιστορία εκτυλίσσεται κυρίως στο σήμερα, με τη Δάφνη κάπου κάπου να θυμάται τη ζωή της στη Νέα Υόρκη, με τις δυσκολίες και τον οπισθοδρομικό τρόπο ανατροφής των γονιών της, ακόμη και στην πιο πολύβουη πόλη του κόσμου! Μεγαλώμενη αυστηρά και ηθικά, λες και ζούσε στην Ερεικούσα ακόμη, κι όμως κατάφερε να επιβάλει τα θέλω της και να ζήσει τη ζωή που ήθελε. Τώρα έφτασε όμως στο κρίσιμο σταυροδρόμι της καρδιάς της. Είναι άραγε η Δάφνη ευλογημένη να ακούσει κι εκείνη τον ψίθυρο των κυπαρισσιών; Ποιες θα είναι οι επιλογές της και ποιες οι συνέπειες; Τι συνέβη εκείνη τη νύχτα της γερμανικής Κατοχής μεταξύ της γιαγιάς Ευαγγελίας και μιας εβραϊκής οικογένειας;
Υπέροχο μυθιστόρημα, γεμάτο ελληνικές γεύσεις, ιστορίες από την ελληνική μυθολογία, αληθινούς χαρακτήρες και μια γυναίκα μεταξύ παρελθόντος και παρόντος, μεταξύ αλήθειας και ονείρου, μεταξύ κατσαρόλας με στιφάδο και γλάστρας με βασιλικό. Καλοδουλεμένο, δείχνει αγάπη για την Ελλάδα οσο κι αν κάποιες σκηνές είναι παρατραβηγμένες, καίριο και άμεσο, μου κράτησε καλή συντροφιά.
August 2, 2018
Beautiful story with incredible characters and descriptions of nature. Definitely worth reading-it opens your eyes and the way you look at the world and people around you.
November 21, 2014
Διάβασα το βιβλίο αυτό περισσότερο από ενάμιση χρόνο πριν, όταν η κυρία Μάνεση δεν το είχε εκδώσει ακόμα στο εξωτερικό, και η άποψή μου γι' αυτό ήταν πολύ ξεκάθαρη. Ήταν ένα ευχάριστο στην ανάγνωσή του βιβλίο, μια ιστορία που έρεε σχετικά γρήγορα, αλλά χωρίς να μπορεί, ωστόσο, να με συγκινήσει. Διαβάζοντάς το σήμερα μεταφρασμένο στα ελληνικά, η άποψή μου δεν άλλαξε, παραμένει η ίδια, και θα έλεγα μάλιστα πως το κείμενο χάνει κάτι από την πρωτότυπη ιδιαιτερότητά του, αφού η συγγραφέας χρησιμοποιεί στο αρχικό αρκετές λέξεις ή εκφράσεις ελληνικής καταβολής που στην μετάφραση, όπως είναι λογικό και αναμενόμενο, χάνονται και δεν ξεχωρίζει αυτό το "παιχνίδι" που η ίδια κάνει με τις λέξεις. Βέβαια, αυτό είναι μια λεπτομέρεια που μ' ενοχλεί σε καθαρά προσωπικό επίπεδο.
Η Δάφνη είναι Ελληνίδα και ζει στην Αμερική, όντας μια από τις πιο γνωστές σεφ και ιδιοκτήτρια ενός εξαιρετικά δημοφιλούς εστιατόριου ελληνικής κουζίνας. Έξι χρόνια πριν έχασε τον άντρα της και έτσι, ζει μόνο της με την κόρη της αφού, εκτός από τον Άλεξ, έχουν πεθάνει και οι γονείς της. Σε μια προσπάθεια να ξαναφτιάξει τη ζωή της, ετοιμάζεται να παντρευτεί τον Στίβεν και για τον λόγο αυτό, μαζί με την κόρη της, ταξιδεύει στην Ελλάδα και πιο συγκεκριμένα, στην Ερεικούσσα, ένα ευλογημένο νησί κοντά στην Κέρκυρα όπου ποτέ οι Γερμανοί δεν πάτησαν το πόδι τους, για να τακτοποιήσει ορισμένα διαδικαστικά αλλά και για να επισκεφτεί την γιαγιά της που ζει στο νησί και έχει να δει πολλά χρόνια. Εκεί θα γνωρίσει τον Γιάννη, έναν ντόπιο ψαρά, με τον οποίο θα έρθουν σε κόντρα από την πρώτη στιγμή. Όσο οι μέρες περνάνε, η Δάφνη έρχεται αντιμέτωπη με τις επιλογές και θα πρέπει να αποφασίσει ποια είναι η ζωή που θέλει πραγματικά να έχει.
Αν είστε από εκείνους που απόλαυσαν την ταινία "Γάμος αλά ελληνικά", τότε το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ίσως ν�� είναι μια ιδανική επιλογή για εσάς, αν και πρέπει να γνωρίζετε εξ' αρχής πως τα γεγονότα της συγκεκριμένης ιστορίας δίνονται μέσα από ένα λιγότερο κωμικό πρίσμα, αν και υπάρχουν ορισμένες καλές, αστείες στιγμές. Το διασκεδαστικό στοιχείο της ανάγνωσης εντοπίζεται στους συγγενείς της Δάφνης -δηλαδή, στους δευτερεύοντες χαρακτήρες- που ως γνήσιοι Έλληνες της επαρχίας είναι έξω καρδιά, ζωντανοί, με νεύρο και κέφι, αλλά παράλληλα, ιδιαίτερα υπερβολικοί και κάθετοι στις ιδέες τους, αφού μεγάλωσαν με πολύ συγκεκριμένα ήθη, έθιμα αλλά και συνήθειες, που δεν μπορούν ν' αμφισβητηθούν από κανέναν, ακόμα κι αν έχει επιχειρήματα. Όλα αυτά, ασκούν μια κάποια γοητεία και σε κάνουν να χαμογελάς, αν και εξακολουθώ να πιστεύω πως η Δάφνη δεν είναι η ιδανική πρωταγωνίστρια αφού ουσιαστικά, θα έπρεπε να λειτουργεί ως δέκτης, κάτι που κάνει μεν, όχι με αρτιότητα δε.
Η κυρία Μάνεση περιγράφει με ιδιαίτερα καλό και παραστατικό τρόπο το νησί της Ερεικούσσας, μεταφέροντάς μας την ιστορία του τόπου, χωρίς ωστόσο αρκετά κατατοπιστικές και αναλυτικές λεπτομέρειες, ώστε ν' ασκήσει πάνω μας την γοητεία της ιστορικής γνώσης. Αντίθετα, έχει εστιάσει την προσοχή της στους μύθους και τους θρύλους του νησιού, επιθυμώντας κατά πάσα πιθανότητα να προσδώσει μια πιο μεταφυσική νότα στην αφήγησή της, κάτι που ίσως να πετύχαινε σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό, αν κι εφόσον δεν αναλωνόταν σε κάποιες περιττές, σχεδόν εμμονικές επαναλήψεις, κι αν -όπως ανέφερα και παραπάνω- η Δάφνη ήταν πιο αποδοτικός δέκτης όλων αυτών και είχε μια ευρύτερα καλύτερα κατανοητή και πιο εύκολη στο να ερμηνευτεί, συμπεριφορά. Βέβαια, αυτός ίσως να είναι και ο λόγος που η ίδια η συγγραφέας δίνει μεγάλη βάση στην σχέση γιαγιάς-δισέγγονης, αφού συνήθως οι μικρότεροι σε ηλικία άνθρωποι, είναι πιο ανοικτοί στο να δουν και να νιώσουν αυτά που δεν μπορούν οι μεγάλοι.
Με πιο απλά λόγια, το βιβλίο διαβάζεται εύκολα, γρήγορα κι ευχάριστα, ωστόσο δεν είναι κάτι το εντυπωσιακό. Προσωπικά, μάλλον θα το χαρακτήριζα προβλέψιμο και μάλιστα, σε αρκετά σημεία. Το πρωτότυπο κείμενο ασκεί μια κάποια γοητεία παραπάνω, αλλά αυτό είναι κάτι που δεν μπορεί να βοηθηθεί στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Άλλωστε, κάθε μεταφρασμένο βιβλίο παίζει με αυτό το ρίσκο, κάτι που συμβαίνει σε όλες τις ανάλογες περιπτώσεις και άσχετα από την πρωτότυπη γλώσσα γραφής. Και μπορεί να μην συμπάθησα ιδιαίτερα την Δάφνη, ούτε να την καταλαβαίνω ως άνθρωπο -πράγμα που με εμπόδισε και να ταυτιστώ-, ωστόσο οφείλω να ομολογήσω πως οι σχέσεις ανάμεσα στα μέλη της οικογένειάς της είναι πολύ τρυφερές, εκπέμποντας κάτι το συγκινητικό και ανθρώπινο, κάτι που ακόμα και στις μέρες μας μάς θυμίζει την καταγωγή μας και τι σημαίνει αυτό.
Η Δάφνη είναι Ελληνίδα και ζει στην Αμερική, όντας μια από τις πιο γνωστές σεφ και ιδιοκτήτρια ενός εξαιρετικά δημοφιλούς εστιατόριου ελληνικής κουζίνας. Έξι χρόνια πριν έχασε τον άντρα της και έτσι, ζει μόνο της με την κόρη της αφού, εκτός από τον Άλεξ, έχουν πεθάνει και οι γονείς της. Σε μια προσπάθεια να ξαναφτιάξει τη ζωή της, ετοιμάζεται να παντρευτεί τον Στίβεν και για τον λόγο αυτό, μαζί με την κόρη της, ταξιδεύει στην Ελλάδα και πιο συγκεκριμένα, στην Ερεικούσσα, ένα ευλογημένο νησί κοντά στην Κέρκυρα όπου ποτέ οι Γερμανοί δεν πάτησαν το πόδι τους, για να τακτοποιήσει ορισμένα διαδικαστικά αλλά και για να επισκεφτεί την γιαγιά της που ζει στο νησί και έχει να δει πολλά χρόνια. Εκεί θα γνωρίσει τον Γιάννη, έναν ντόπιο ψαρά, με τον οποίο θα έρθουν σε κόντρα από την πρώτη στιγμή. Όσο οι μέρες περνάνε, η Δάφνη έρχεται αντιμέτωπη με τις επιλογές και θα πρέπει να αποφασίσει ποια είναι η ζωή που θέλει πραγματικά να έχει.
Αν είστε από εκείνους που απόλαυσαν την ταινία "Γάμος αλά ελληνικά", τότε το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ίσως ν�� είναι μια ιδανική επιλογή για εσάς, αν και πρέπει να γνωρίζετε εξ' αρχής πως τα γεγονότα της συγκεκριμένης ιστορίας δίνονται μέσα από ένα λιγότερο κωμικό πρίσμα, αν και υπάρχουν ορισμένες καλές, αστείες στιγμές. Το διασκεδαστικό στοιχείο της ανάγνωσης εντοπίζεται στους συγγενείς της Δάφνης -δηλαδή, στους δευτερεύοντες χαρακτήρες- που ως γνήσιοι Έλληνες της επαρχίας είναι έξω καρδιά, ζωντανοί, με νεύρο και κέφι, αλλά παράλληλα, ιδιαίτερα υπερβολικοί και κάθετοι στις ιδέες τους, αφού μεγάλωσαν με πολύ συγκεκριμένα ήθη, έθιμα αλλά και συνήθειες, που δεν μπορούν ν' αμφισβητηθούν από κανέναν, ακόμα κι αν έχει επιχειρήματα. Όλα αυτά, ασκούν μια κάποια γοητεία και σε κάνουν να χαμογελάς, αν και εξακολουθώ να πιστεύω πως η Δάφνη δεν είναι η ιδανική πρωταγωνίστρια αφού ουσιαστικά, θα έπρεπε να λειτουργεί ως δέκτης, κάτι που κάνει μεν, όχι με αρτιότητα δε.
Η κυρία Μάνεση περιγράφει με ιδιαίτερα καλό και παραστατικό τρόπο το νησί της Ερεικούσσας, μεταφέροντάς μας την ιστορία του τόπου, χωρίς ωστόσο αρκετά κατατοπιστικές και αναλυτικές λεπτομέρειες, ώστε ν' ασκήσει πάνω μας την γοητεία της ιστορικής γνώσης. Αντίθετα, έχει εστιάσει την προσοχή της στους μύθους και τους θρύλους του νησιού, επιθυμώντας κατά πάσα πιθανότητα να προσδώσει μια πιο μεταφυσική νότα στην αφήγησή της, κάτι που ίσως να πετύχαινε σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό, αν κι εφόσον δεν αναλωνόταν σε κάποιες περιττές, σχεδόν εμμονικές επαναλήψεις, κι αν -όπως ανέφερα και παραπάνω- η Δάφνη ήταν πιο αποδοτικός δέκτης όλων αυτών και είχε μια ευρύτερα καλύτερα κατανοητή και πιο εύκολη στο να ερμηνευτεί, συμπεριφορά. Βέβαια, αυτός ίσως να είναι και ο λόγος που η ίδια η συγγραφέας δίνει μεγάλη βάση στην σχέση γιαγιάς-δισέγγονης, αφού συνήθως οι μικρότεροι σε ηλικία άνθρωποι, είναι πιο ανοικτοί στο να δουν και να νιώσουν αυτά που δεν μπορούν οι μεγάλοι.
Με πιο απλά λόγια, το βιβλίο διαβάζεται εύκολα, γρήγορα κι ευχάριστα, ωστόσο δεν είναι κάτι το εντυπωσιακό. Προσωπικά, μάλλον θα το χαρακτήριζα προβλέψιμο και μάλιστα, σε αρκετά σημεία. Το πρωτότυπο κείμενο ασκεί μια κάποια γοητεία παραπάνω, αλλά αυτό είναι κάτι που δεν μπορεί να βοηθηθεί στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Άλλωστε, κάθε μεταφρασμένο βιβλίο παίζει με αυτό το ρίσκο, κάτι που συμβαίνει σε όλες τις ανάλογες περιπτώσεις και άσχετα από την πρωτότυπη γλώσσα γραφής. Και μπορεί να μην συμπάθησα ιδιαίτερα την Δάφνη, ούτε να την καταλαβαίνω ως άνθρωπο -πράγμα που με εμπόδισε και να ταυτιστώ-, ωστόσο οφείλω να ομολογήσω πως οι σχέσεις ανάμεσα στα μέλη της οικογένειάς της είναι πολύ τρυφερές, εκπέμποντας κάτι το συγκινητικό και ανθρώπινο, κάτι που ακόμα και στις μέρες μας μάς θυμίζει την καταγωγή μας και τι σημαίνει αυτό.
February 19, 2020
Well, that was a disappointment. I knew what I was getting into when I started this book. It was going to be very light chick lit, a book that Hallmark should get the rights to. It was predictable of course but set in such a beautiful island that the descriptions of the setting and the food were enough to off set the typical story fare. The fiance isn't evil, just different. The lead needs a little vacation/home mojo to infuse her life. She gets that in the form of her grandmother and tradition. The loss of her grandmother was difficult to read having lost my grandmother a few months ago. But beautifully written. The ending, however, was terrible. I love the idea of an independent female, a Daphne of sorts, cohabiting with her cousin, raising her kids, trying to balance her career and family. I was worried she was going to take over for Nitsa and lose everything she worked for. So, I can appreciate that aspect-really I can. What I can't take is that ending when everything else leading up to it was about her leaving her fiance for someone she actually was in love with, for someone that brought a spark back to her life, for someone that wanted to drop everything to be with her...and she can't commit. She can't decide if he's the one...so now she has TWO children to care for and no idea where he is. More work, more stress. But a cousin to help and her priorities set right...except not when it comes to her partner. My only thought is that this ending was cobbled together if only to ensure a sequel. I might consider reading that ONLY if he can be a part of his child's life, since he's missed the pregnancy and the first year, soon, not a twenty year reunion type of thing. Any way, the ending was a terrible disappointment...kind of like the Mamma Mia sequel.
October 12, 2013
A great book only comes along once in a while and in 2014, "When the Cypress Whispers" is destined to become that book. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this beautifully written novel by author Yvette Manessis Corporon. The author effortlessly transports the reader back in time and to the present as you dive into the complex lives of Daphne, her Yia Yia (the Greek word for grandmother) and a fisherman who is fiercely protective of Daphne's grandmother. Blending Greek mythology with historical fiction, the novel is a page turner you won't be able to put down as you discover the senseless tragedies Daphne has endured in her life and how she's managed to find happiness again...or at least that's what she believes. The novel also revisits a dark time in history, taking readers back to the Holocaust where we discover an enormous secret Daphne's grandmother has kept hidden from her granddaughter her entire life. The book hits stores in April 2014 so make sure it's part of your must-read list!
October 31, 2016
Predivna knjiga s predivnom pricom iz koje mozemo nesto nauciti o pravoj, istinskoj ljubavi, te sitnicama koje su jako bitne i zivot znace, a mi ih nenamjerno preskacemo zbog nekih "bitnijih stvari". Saznajemo sto znaci obitelj i koje su njene vrijednosti za nas, saznajemo dosta toga o grckoj kulturi, te tradicionalnoj hrani koja se tamo priprema. Ma jako puno toga lijepoga, pa malo i tuznoga, vec kako i sam zivot ide. Citajte, necete se pokajati zbog utrosenog vremena koje cete potrositi citajuci ovu knjigu :)
April 16, 2015
Hejt jer nema nastavka!!!
September 9, 2018
Много хубава книга. Много докосваща сърцето и душата.
February 20, 2014
I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book from HarperCollins.
This novel is about Daphne, the daughter of Greek immigrants, who is returning to the Greek island of Erikousa to be married. Daphne's parents moved to America with hopes of improving the chances for their daughter's life and spent decades working in a diner. Although Daphne's first husband died, she is now a successful chef and marrying a wealthy New Yorker. However, her fondest memories are of her childhood summers spent on the island with her Yia-yia. Returning makes Daphne question the path her life has taken.
This novel is decidedly of the chic lit variety. However, it's obvious that Corporon has personal ties to Erikousa, and the narrative captures the culture of the island life. "The young girl watched Yia-yia coat another pan with olive oil and add the freshly chopped tomatoes she had picked from the garden that morning. The bright red mixture sizzled, simmered, and popped until the tomatoes reached the perfect consistency, losing their firm texture and giving way to a sweet, thick paste. With her slightly burned and battle-scarred wooden spoon, Yia-yia cleared four little round holes in the simmering sauce" (37). The vivid descriptions of island life made it seem real and grounded in true traditions.
The plot of this novel is not action packed. Little happens other than Daphne's slow realization that the goals she'd worked so hard to achieve may not actually be helping her to follow her dreams. Additionally, Daphne realizes that in trying to earn money for her family, she's actually neglected those she loves the most: "She put her hands in the box and lifted out the result of all those hours spent on her feet, fighting with suppliers, arguing with her stuff, and crying from bone-aching exhaustion. She fanned out the bills, the result of the awards, accolades, and full reservation book that she had fought so hard to earn" (91).
Additionally, although the novel does include a few flashbacks to Daphne's life in America, I was unable to get a full sense of her life and who she is as a character when off of the island. In addition, her husband's and her parents' deaths are glossed over with few details given, making their deaths seem like convenient ways to dispose of unnecessary characters. However, I did appreciate the flashbacks that give a sense of why Daphne loves her grandmother and the island so much, since she is seen from a young age happy in that environment.
My greatest disappointment of all, however, was the ending (although I won't give away any spoilers). Although I suspect that Corporon was attempting to not be stereotypical in her ending, the ending instead seems random and out of keeping with the message of the book, which is to follow your dreams and make time for those most important to you. There's no real resolution to Daphne's close attachment and love to her island roots either.
This novel is about Daphne, the daughter of Greek immigrants, who is returning to the Greek island of Erikousa to be married. Daphne's parents moved to America with hopes of improving the chances for their daughter's life and spent decades working in a diner. Although Daphne's first husband died, she is now a successful chef and marrying a wealthy New Yorker. However, her fondest memories are of her childhood summers spent on the island with her Yia-yia. Returning makes Daphne question the path her life has taken.
This novel is decidedly of the chic lit variety. However, it's obvious that Corporon has personal ties to Erikousa, and the narrative captures the culture of the island life. "The young girl watched Yia-yia coat another pan with olive oil and add the freshly chopped tomatoes she had picked from the garden that morning. The bright red mixture sizzled, simmered, and popped until the tomatoes reached the perfect consistency, losing their firm texture and giving way to a sweet, thick paste. With her slightly burned and battle-scarred wooden spoon, Yia-yia cleared four little round holes in the simmering sauce" (37). The vivid descriptions of island life made it seem real and grounded in true traditions.
The plot of this novel is not action packed. Little happens other than Daphne's slow realization that the goals she'd worked so hard to achieve may not actually be helping her to follow her dreams. Additionally, Daphne realizes that in trying to earn money for her family, she's actually neglected those she loves the most: "She put her hands in the box and lifted out the result of all those hours spent on her feet, fighting with suppliers, arguing with her stuff, and crying from bone-aching exhaustion. She fanned out the bills, the result of the awards, accolades, and full reservation book that she had fought so hard to earn" (91).
Additionally, although the novel does include a few flashbacks to Daphne's life in America, I was unable to get a full sense of her life and who she is as a character when off of the island. In addition, her husband's and her parents' deaths are glossed over with few details given, making their deaths seem like convenient ways to dispose of unnecessary characters. However, I did appreciate the flashbacks that give a sense of why Daphne loves her grandmother and the island so much, since she is seen from a young age happy in that environment.
My greatest disappointment of all, however, was the ending (although I won't give away any spoilers). Although I suspect that Corporon was attempting to not be stereotypical in her ending, the ending instead seems random and out of keeping with the message of the book, which is to follow your dreams and make time for those most important to you. There's no real resolution to Daphne's close attachment and love to her island roots either.
February 5, 2014
3.0 out of 5 stars - Greek mythology come to life in this romantic tale set on the magical island of Erikousa, off the coast of Greece.
Daphne, a young widow with a little daughter, was raised in the Greek ways by her parents and beloved Yia-yia. She alternated between time in New York wit her hard-working parents and summers on the island with her grandmother. Now after years of struggle away in America setting up her famous restaurant, and with her parents also dead, Daphne feels the call to return to Erikousa to be married there. She's found a new man and she's ready to share the memories and the island with her daughter and fiance. She returns to the idyllic place to relive some of the happy moments she experienced there and to spend time with her aging Yia-yia. Though they've remained in contact through the intervening years, Daphne senses that there are still things that her grandmother has to tell her. Even though it seems that Daphne has achieved her dreams, is it possible that her soul is centered on the island and that it's time to find out if she is ready again for love.
The novel is replete with details about Greek island life, customs and food. The reader can taste the meals, smell the herbs and flowers, and see the beauty of the isolated island where not much has changed to modern times. Yia-yia has more than nourishment for the body to give her beloved granddaughter -- she has a last lesson to teach and a very big secret to share.
Women looking for a predictable romance set in Greece will enjoy this book.
Amazon Vine ARC.
Daphne, a young widow with a little daughter, was raised in the Greek ways by her parents and beloved Yia-yia. She alternated between time in New York wit her hard-working parents and summers on the island with her grandmother. Now after years of struggle away in America setting up her famous restaurant, and with her parents also dead, Daphne feels the call to return to Erikousa to be married there. She's found a new man and she's ready to share the memories and the island with her daughter and fiance. She returns to the idyllic place to relive some of the happy moments she experienced there and to spend time with her aging Yia-yia. Though they've remained in contact through the intervening years, Daphne senses that there are still things that her grandmother has to tell her. Even though it seems that Daphne has achieved her dreams, is it possible that her soul is centered on the island and that it's time to find out if she is ready again for love.
The novel is replete with details about Greek island life, customs and food. The reader can taste the meals, smell the herbs and flowers, and see the beauty of the isolated island where not much has changed to modern times. Yia-yia has more than nourishment for the body to give her beloved granddaughter -- she has a last lesson to teach and a very big secret to share.
Women looking for a predictable romance set in Greece will enjoy this book.
Amazon Vine ARC.
June 7, 2015
Το βιβλίο έχει μεταφραστεί και κυκλοφορήσει στα ελληνικά.
Ανήκει στα βιβλία που δεν με συγκινούν ούτε ως ιστορία, ούτε, πολύ περισσότερο, ως γραφή.
Η συγγραφέας έχει ελληνική καταγωγή αλλά ζει και διαπρέπει, αν κρίνω ότι έχει λάβει και κάποια βραβεία ΕΜΜΥ, ως σεναριογράφος στις ΗΠΑ.
Η ιστορία ήταν μία από τα γνωστά ίδια που έχουν κατακλύσει τα τελευταία χρόνια το συγγραφικό (;;;) στερέωμα ως γυναικεία λογοτεχνία (;;;). Μάλλον ως ρομαντική λογοτεχνία με ολίγον από ιστορική πατριδογνωσία. Αναμνήσεις, έθιμα της πατρίδας, έρωτας κλπ.
Τίποτε το ιδιαίτερο, γεμάτο φλυαρία και κλισέ.
Ανήκει στα βιβλία που δεν με συγκινούν ούτε ως ιστορία, ούτε, πολύ περισσότερο, ως γραφή.
Η συγγραφέας έχει ελληνική καταγωγή αλλά ζει και διαπρέπει, αν κρίνω ότι έχει λάβει και κάποια βραβεία ΕΜΜΥ, ως σεναριογράφος στις ΗΠΑ.
Η ιστορία ήταν μία από τα γνωστά ίδια που έχουν κατακλύσει τα τελευταία χρόνια το συγγραφικό (;;;) στερέωμα ως γυναικεία λογοτεχνία (;;;). Μάλλον ως ρομαντική λογοτεχνία με ολίγον από ιστορική πατριδογνωσία. Αναμνήσεις, έθιμα της πατρίδας, έρωτας κλπ.
Τίποτε το ιδιαίτερο, γεμάτο φλυαρία και κλισέ.
July 14, 2020
I like the story but the writing is really not good. It needed way more editing. There is too much ' Daphne koukla mou,' here and there.
The dancing scene could have been shortened. As a Greek person myself I found I had to skim through that part.
Daphne's life was so packed already when she reached the island.
What else could she have taken on reaching there?
A good effort, and loved learning more about the small island of Erikousa, an island north west of Corfu.
Greece is filled with beautiful spots to write about.
The dancing scene could have been shortened. As a Greek person myself I found I had to skim through that part.
Daphne's life was so packed already when she reached the island.
What else could she have taken on reaching there?
A good effort, and loved learning more about the small island of Erikousa, an island north west of Corfu.
Greece is filled with beautiful spots to write about.
October 3, 2022
This historical fiction book was so great to read before my upcoming trip to Greece. Her descriptions of everything from the food and scenery to the culture and traditions are so wonderful that you feel you are there. Sometimes description can really bog a book down but Yvette used it perfectly. She even used the language and storytelling of myths with such meaning. My only complaint was the ending, but I will accept it.
December 29, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. I love that the author included a story at the end of this book, about what inspired her to write this novel... The author did a magnificent job of making the book come alive for the reader
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2018
One of my favorites books ever
April 16, 2024
Sweet book that reminds us what is really important in life. Yes, it was almost totally predictable but I liked that the author used her own family story which she explained in the epilogue. Food was the center of this story and I was drooling over the Greek specialties. The other thread in the story was Greek mythology which fascinated me as a teenager. And then, of course, the beauty of heart of the Greek isles is hard to resist.
January 12, 2021
Lepa, samo konec me ne prepriča, pa preveč hrane.. sem bla skuz lačna med branjem ..😂
July 20, 2023
I enjoyed this story. I loved all the vivid descriptions of the island and the food… I felt like I was there. Such a beautiful story of about a family of strong women.
April 8, 2014
Considering that Greece is probably top of my list of countries I'm dying to visit, it's surprising that I so few books set there. I'm sure I've read books there that take place in ancient times, and the in the traveling pants books Greece did make a cameo. But this is the first book I can remember reading in modern day where Greece is where all the action takes, and with that, it's an amazing way to start.
In some ways I want to say that this book transported me to Greece, but that wasn't quite the case. Instead each time I'd read about the beaches or the cypress trees or quaint little villages and sigh because I wasn't quite there. It did bring Greece alive so close that I could taste it, but for me it wasn't quite enough. If only because I actually can't wait to be there myself.
Speaking of taste, the food is also an aspect that had my drooling page after page. As a girl whose favorite snack is slices of feta reading a passage of baked feta that "had been generously drizzled with olive oil and smoky paprika, then topped with just a few slivers of fresh peppers," is practically heaven to me. And that's just at one meal! I was definitely in awe at all the various times food was described throughout and even now am still craving a good Greek meal.
The book did wind up a little predictable, but not in a way I would have expected before reading it. Daphne is a 30-something single mother visiting Greece and her grandmother for this the first time since her childhood. She's still trying to figure out a way to blend her past and her future, something I can definitely identify with. But while I may predicted the big events, I was still surprised that the ending wasn't a perfect happily ever after.
I think you can probably tell, this book had me dying to visit Greece. Hopefully I'm able to get there sooner rather than later, but if I ever need to feel at least somewhat transported there, I'll be picking this one up again.
Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.
In some ways I want to say that this book transported me to Greece, but that wasn't quite the case. Instead each time I'd read about the beaches or the cypress trees or quaint little villages and sigh because I wasn't quite there. It did bring Greece alive so close that I could taste it, but for me it wasn't quite enough. If only because I actually can't wait to be there myself.
Speaking of taste, the food is also an aspect that had my drooling page after page. As a girl whose favorite snack is slices of feta reading a passage of baked feta that "had been generously drizzled with olive oil and smoky paprika, then topped with just a few slivers of fresh peppers," is practically heaven to me. And that's just at one meal! I was definitely in awe at all the various times food was described throughout and even now am still craving a good Greek meal.
The book did wind up a little predictable, but not in a way I would have expected before reading it. Daphne is a 30-something single mother visiting Greece and her grandmother for this the first time since her childhood. She's still trying to figure out a way to blend her past and her future, something I can definitely identify with. But while I may predicted the big events, I was still surprised that the ending wasn't a perfect happily ever after.
I think you can probably tell, this book had me dying to visit Greece. Hopefully I'm able to get there sooner rather than later, but if I ever need to feel at least somewhat transported there, I'll be picking this one up again.
Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 12, 2014
When The Cypress Whispers is truly one of the most beautiful and beautifully written works of women's fiction that I've read in quite a long time.
Yvette brings the Greek island, Erikousa and all its inhabitants to life. This is possibly the most vivid novel that I've read. I really felt like this book was a feast for all of the senses. Everything just came to life for me as I read.
I loved Yia-yia. She was the kind of grandmother that we all dream of having. Her relationships with Daphne and her daughter, Evie help to make this novel such a wonderful read.
The story is about relationships and dreams and how sometimes the dreams we have have aren't necessarily the one's that are right for us. When Daphne comes back to the island she learns that the money she thinks is so important, really isn't.
We get wonderful snapshots of Daphne's life growing up, both on the island and in New York. You get to see her relationships with the men in her life, her first husband, Alex, her fiance, Stephen and her grandmother's young friend Yianni.
I felt bad for Stephen for part of the book, knowing early on that it wasn't likely that he would end up marrying Daphne, but then there was a scene where they were discussing Yia Yia and a nursing home, and I knew right then and there, that I hated him,
This was a wonderful read that left me with tears in my eyes towards the end. A lot of tears. The actual ending came as quite a surprise. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting.
Definitely one of this year's must read books, perfect for the summer reading season.
Yvette brings the Greek island, Erikousa and all its inhabitants to life. This is possibly the most vivid novel that I've read. I really felt like this book was a feast for all of the senses. Everything just came to life for me as I read.
I loved Yia-yia. She was the kind of grandmother that we all dream of having. Her relationships with Daphne and her daughter, Evie help to make this novel such a wonderful read.
The story is about relationships and dreams and how sometimes the dreams we have have aren't necessarily the one's that are right for us. When Daphne comes back to the island she learns that the money she thinks is so important, really isn't.
We get wonderful snapshots of Daphne's life growing up, both on the island and in New York. You get to see her relationships with the men in her life, her first husband, Alex, her fiance, Stephen and her grandmother's young friend Yianni.
I felt bad for Stephen for part of the book, knowing early on that it wasn't likely that he would end up marrying Daphne, but then there was a scene where they were discussing Yia Yia and a nursing home, and I knew right then and there, that I hated him,
This was a wonderful read that left me with tears in my eyes towards the end. A lot of tears. The actual ending came as quite a surprise. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting.
Definitely one of this year's must read books, perfect for the summer reading season.
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