Daughter of Ruins

Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon is a poignant dual-time narrative set in Greece and the United States. The author artfully weaves together Greek mythology and art with the post-war travails of everyday Greeks, brave women, arranged marriages, and the heartbreaking cost of human trafficking. This page-turning historical novel entertains us, even as it moves, and educates us.

The novel’s engaging protagonists are Maria (‘past’ - 1920s) and her daughter, Demitra (‘present’ – 1940s onwards). Raised by her ‘Baba’, Pericles, Demitra mourns the loss of the mother she barely remembers, after her father returned with her from Milwaukee to his home island of Cephalonia. There, left to struggle with her Baba’s unaccountable hostility, Demitra writes letters to her mother, whom she’s recast as a goddess from Greek myth. Compelled to create, Demitra loves nothing better than to sketch the beauty around her. Baba has no tolerance for his daughter’s gift, instead determining to marry her off to the hapless Niko as soon as possible.

Niko is but one of several beautifully constructed supporting characters who provide a convincing picture of Greek community life in this challenging period. Stella was another one of my favourite characters, together with Demitra’s cousin Sophia, her husband, Tino, and family, who offer Demitra an escape route from Baba’s single-minded plans. I appreciated the author’s skill in balancing conflict and injustice with the warmth and generosity of people of goodwill.

Eleni is another trafficking victim, condemned by the bigotry of the era to follow her mother into the sex industry. Her story intersects with Demitra’s when Eleni accompanies Italian soldiers to Cephalonia during their occupation of the island during World War II.

Twenty years prior, Maria’s story is interwoven strategically with Demitra’s. Unknowingly tricked into posing for a photograph by her father, Maria finds herself shipped off to the United States with other hapless Greek girls — some as young as fourteen — as ‘picture brides’ for Greek emigrants in search of a wife. The girls’ fear and bewilderment are masterfully depicted, even more so as we follow Maria’s journey into her marriage with Pericles. Pericles is a difficult character to like, but it must be said that the author does a superb job in calibrating his story arc as well.

Love and loss, creation, and devastation, run through this riveting story. The unifying device of Greek myth is a clever one, sensitively portrayed, and doesn’t overpower the narrative or require any prior knowledge by the reader. But it’s the central triad of women — Maria, Demitra, and Eleni — who are the driving force of this warm and compassionate novel, which I recommend whole heartedly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could easily read this again and it is not often I say that about a book! I cannot wait to own a physical copy of this book when it is published. It is such a beautiful novel saturated perfectly in Greek culture and my senses were alight based on the descriptions.

The women in this novel are all 'ruined' in different ways, whether physically or because society deems them to be, yet they have so much beauty and power. They have an enduring strength against so much adversity and I loved seeing them take back control of their destiny.

Greek mythology is weaved through the story and any fans of female figures in Greek mythology will love this.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book - it will stay with me for a very long time.

If you are looking for a really well written Greek book. This one is for you. It was unique and the main characters were very love able and I would highly recommend this book!

This is a dual-time novel of 3 strong Greek women A motherless daughter. An Italian prostitute. A mail-order bride. Woven within this tapestry is Greek mythology, which no story set in Greece would be left out. Demitra's mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. She was brought back to Greece by her father and is now living with her “Baba.” In 1943 we are introduced to Elena a beautiful Italian woman who is a prostitute and until the Germans arrived she was entertaining Italian soldiers. Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 and is sent to America as ‘picture bride’ for Greek emigrants in search of a wife. With a cast of supporting characters this book is an emotional read that takes into account love, loss as well as the rich history of Greece and its myths. Three women who find it difficult and have to fight to find what their lives were really about Told in a most sensitive and compassionate way, I am giving this story 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC...highly recommended.