Victoria Hislop Knihy

Hlavní postavou románu Ostrov, jehož děj se odehrává především na krétském ostrově Spinalonga, je mladá žena Alexis Fieldingová. Tu trápí, že nezná historii matčiny větve rodiny, a odmítá se smířit s tím, že to tak možná zůstane navždy. Rozhodne se tedy, že odcestuje na Krétu, do vesničky jménem Plaka, kde její matka vyrůstala. Tam vyhledá matčinu dávnou přítelkyni, které má předat dopis, a jejím prostřednictvím se postupně seznamuje s tragickým příběhem své rodiny. Osud Alexiny prababičky a babičky je neoddělitelně spjat s ostrovem Spinalonga, který se nachází v bezprostřední blízkosti Plaky, ostrovem, na nějž krétští obyvatelé vykazovali příbuzné, kteří onemocněli leprou. Alexis v průběhu vyprávění staré ženy pochopí, proč matka odmítala mluvit o minulosti, a zároveň si uvědomí, že odkrytím dávných tajemství může změnit přítomnost i budoucnost...

Pod majestátnými věžemi Alhambry hraje hudba a dlážděné uličky Granady skrývají tajemství. Sonia Cameronová, Londýňanka se španělskými kořeny, nezná dějiny města, přijela sem jen se svou přítelkyní Maggie, aby se zdokonalily v tanci. V tiché kavárně si však náhodou vyslechne cizí rozhovor a poutavá sbírka fotografií ji vtáhne do výjimečného příběhu děsivé španělské občanské války. Před sedmdesáti lety žila v domě, kde se kavárna nachází, soudržná rodina Ramírezových. V roce 1936 naruší křehký mír v zemi vojenský puč generála Franka. Manželé Ramírezovi, jejich tři synové a dcera Mercedes se stanou svědky nejhorších válečných hrůz. Svědky, ale i oběťmi. Jejich životy rozdělí politika a každý z nich si musí vybrat, na čí stranu se přidá, a bojovat v soukromých bitvách, zatímco se celé Španělsko rozpadá. Soniu tato pohnutá rodinná historie – a také tanec – zcela pohltí, a ani netuší, jak podstatně obojí zasáhne do jejího života.

A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop. The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper 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.

Athens, 1941. As Nazi forces occupy Greece, the nation descends into chaos. This gripping narrative explores the darker days of Greek history through the eyes of Themis, a courageous fifteen-year-old caught in a family divided by political ideologies. The German invasion exacerbates existing tensions, leading to widespread famine and the loss of friends, which compels Themis to engage in acts of resistance. Following the occupation, she joins the Communist army during the civil war, confronting the extremes of love and hatred as Greeks fight against one another. Imprisoned on the notorious islands of Makronisos and Trikeri, she meets another prisoner, and their lives become intertwined in unforeseen ways. Themis grapples with her principles and her yearning for freedom. Reflecting on her life, she discovers the intricate connections between personal and political struggles. While some wounds may heal, others deepen, revealing the complexity of her experiences. This narrative sheds light on Greece's traumatic past and tells the epic story of an ordinary woman navigating an extraordinary life amidst turmoil.

Four novels selected and condensed by Reader's Digest.

In her irresistible new novel, Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author Victoria Hislop shines a light on the questionable acquisition of cultural treasures and the price people - and countries - will pay to cling on to them.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.

Thessaloniki, 1917. As Dimitri Komninos is born, a devastating fire sweeps through the thriving Greek city where Christians, Jews and Muslims live side by side. Five years later, Katerina Sarafoglou's home in Asia Minor is destroyed by the Turkish army. Losing her mother in the chaos, she flees across the sea to an unknown destination in Greece. Soon her life will become entwined with Dimitri's, and with the story of the city itself, as war, fear and persecution begin to divide its people. Thessaloniki, 2007. A young Anglo-Greek hears his grandparents' life story for the first time and realises he has a decision to make. For many decades, they have looked after the memories and treasures of the people who were forced to leave. Should he become their next custodian and make this city his home?

The NEW Sunday Times Number One bestseller from Victoria Hislop, author of multi-million-copy bestsellers, including The Island, The Sunrise and Cartes Postales from Greece.

A beautiful, moving, and thought-provoking story, this stunning read immerses you in Greece's enchanting history. Family turmoil, unanswered questions, romance, and betrayal unfold against a backdrop that transports readers to a brilliantly drawn world. As you feel the sun on your face and the sand of the Aegean islands beneath your feet, you uncover the fate of Bronze Age figurines in this heart-pounding novel from a No. 1 bestselling author. Inheriting her grandparents' Athens apartment, Helena McCloud discovers a hidden hoard of rare antiquities, collected during a dark period of military dictatorship in Greece. Her fascination with archaeology, sparked by a summer dig on an Aegean island, compels her to return these precious artefacts to their rightful place. Only then can she confront the shadows of the past and find the true meaning of home—both for the cultural treasures and for herself. This powerful novel sheds light on the questionable acquisition of antiquities and the lengths people will go to possess them. Victoria Hislop's compelling storytelling captivates readers, drawing them into a richly detailed world filled with warm, sympathetic characters. With vivid scenery and a captivating narrative, this book promises to be an unforgettable journey through Greece's history and culture.