The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the sea air in this captivating novel

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The other professionals and their plus-ones, all Greek, were much younger than me: Olympic athletes (one a gymnast), a recent Eurovision entrant, Greece’s Top Model, a recent winner of Master Chef, a famous actor, popular musicians, gorgeous TV presenters, a well-known rapper, a blogger and an influencer among them. 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 . One of the qualities that shines in her books, is Hislop's ability to weave incredible amounts of research into the story, and with such clear explanations that never alienates her readers. The field of archaeology in The Figurine is advanced, but Hislop just made me fascinated and wanting to learn more.

The characters were so real. I researched a few of them as I wasn't sure if they were genuine or invented by Hislop for the purposes of the story. You can see the talent in Hislop's writing in that element alone. I miss the characters now I have finished it. So when I saw Victoria’s latest book I was interested to see if I would enjoy just as much, given I normally don’t read books of this genre. So thank you for giving me the chance to this ARC

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The adult Helena becomes interested in the archeology of Greece, the Elgin Marbles are mentioned, of course. Thence unfolds a story of the looting and smuggling of ancient valuables. 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. Victoria Hislop has done it again! A truly captivating story . . . I wish I could give it more than 5*’ Real Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Many are seen on the UK Strictly as the wardrobe itself tours the world. My first costume, a golden ballgown, had already been worn by Amy Dowden in London. The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leprosy colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.

I called Fenia to accept. A full medical followed and a few days later, on paper at least, I was declared fit. Then began a journey, an odyssey in every way.I’ve been a fan of Victoria’s books for many years now – my first being The Island about the leper colony at the island of Spinalonga, off the coast of Crete. 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?