In The Clover House, Callie is made to come back to Greece after her cousin calls to inform her that her favorite uncle has died. This is unwelcome news on all fronts. She has not returned to Greece since she had a falling out with her mother five years prior. But, Callie feels the pull of familial obligation and of mystery. Her mother has always been cold to her but she is especially acting strange now that her uncle has left Callie all of his belongings. Callie is unsure about all this but to top things off she is having her own problems with her fiancée. Choosing to flee to Greece to uncover what her uncle wants her to she is also running from her problems at home. Upon her arriving she finds herself immersed in lives that have long passed and the stories she has always known are marred with truths long since past. Callie takes it upon herself to unravel these mysteries that may give her some understanding as to why her mother is the way she is and why she also is the way she is. What Callie discovers along the way will change not only her but her family.This was a highly enjoyable read. I loved the mystery and the history of the book. Most of all I enjoyed the truth Callie finds then reading the real unmarred truth. The history of the Greek involvement in WWII and occupation through the eyes of a family that was impacted to severely was phenomenal. I am a huge history buff and to read a story such as this is wonderful. In a story such as this it was masterfully done to show that even during war children and teenagers still make mistakes. Only during this time they have much more far-reaching consequences. It wasn’t just the history of this story though. It was the cultural and familial structure that is shown so well. Clio and Callie’s relationship was still quite unknown by the end of the book, but I feel with the discoveries that Callie had she understood why she was the way she was. Her mother was always spoiled but she hid such darkened depths that only one other person knew. It is the complexities of family and how they mold your life that is very much illustrated. You can see that with Callie’s decisions with her own life and how her mother’s negligence disguised as leniency allowed Callie to be reckless. Overall, this is a fantastic book and if you like history, not only world but personal you will love The Clover House. A good read about the intricacies of family and memory and how perception of truth affects present-day relationships. I found this aspect of the book particularly appealing as it explores truth and whether or not truth really exists.The descriptions of Greek culture, the wars, and being Greek American were well done and being half-Greek, I understood some of the protagonist's conflict. However, I had a hard time identifying with Callie or even liking her and I tended to believe that she was as unworthy of love as she seems to believe, but at the same time, we are only allowed her perspective and her perspective is negative and uneasy and does not change enough in the book for transformation into acceptance of self -- a little like real life! I found this to be an interesting approach.
What do You think about De Erfenis (2013)?
Interessant stuk van de geschiedenis van Griekenland, verpakt in een leuk verhaal.
—Ambernikole
Beautifully written! Will recommend to friends. Makes me want to visit Greece!
—Jean
Liked it a lot for most of it, but the end fell flatter than I had hoped.
—Tracey0032
CARED ABOUT CLIO. WOULD HAVE LIKED TO READ A NOVEL ABOUT HER STORY.
—ht_ae
Fantastic debut novel! Can't wait to read the next book.
—Noha
