Helena finds out more about Greek civilisation and heritage during this time but also discovers the way her mother's homeland has been looted of ancient artifacts.

The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean

Author Victoria Hislop has confessed that her new book, The Figurine, contains a “very passionate view" about the world's antiquities and where they should really be. 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. Overall an engaging story but perhaps a bit too light and romantic for the seriousness of some of its content. Helena has been visiting Athens since she was a young child, sent every summer to visit her Mother’s parents in their flat in the capital.An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors – and looters – alike. During her time as a journalist, she wrote on education and travel for national newspapers and magazines and was sent on assignments around the world. And oddly, the catalyst for the ending was the Cyprus invasion, because that was a disaster that was brought about by these crazy right wing army generals and colonels. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors - and looters - alike.

The Figurine – Victoria Hislop The Figurine – Victoria Hislop

Victoria’s first book for children, Maria’s Island (listed by Waterstones as one of the best children’s books of the year) was also published in 2020 – and is an adaptation of The Island for a younger audience .It provides plenty information about Greek history and culture during this period while powerfully evoking its landscape and the lives of its peoples. Julia is the seemingly perfect example of what women in Oceania should be: dutiful, useful, subservient, and meek. 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 . The synopsis continues: “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.

The Figurine by Victoria Hislop | Hachette UK

Her Greek mother, Mary, and Scottish father, Hamish, have not come with her as Mary has been estranged from her parents for many years.There were some really great characters and the author’s historical writing brings out the beauty of mainland Greece, the islands and the importance of archeology to understand the past. Yet they share a vision of a better world, one that will expand possibilities for men and women everywhere. Helena is a child at the beginning, and at aged 12, she goes to Athens to stay with her Greek grandparents. Bestselling author of The Island, Victoria Hislop, visited the Scala Radio Book Club with Penny Smith on Thursday the 28th of September, to discuss her irresistible new novel, The Figurine. Along the way, she falls in love with the narrow streets of Athens and the city's big-hearted residents, who show her the murky underbelly of the antiques world - and help her understand the meaning of home.