From acclaimed Greek writer Lena Manta comes an emotionally powerful saga following five young women as they realize that no matter where life leads them, the only constant is home. Theodora knows she can’t keep her five beautiful daughters at home forever—they’re too curious, too free spirited, too like their late father. And so, before each girl leaves the small house on the riverside at the … riverside at the foot of Mount Olympus, Theodora makes sure they know they are always welcome to return.
Having survived World War II, the Nazi occupation of Greece, and her husband’s death, Theodora now endures the twenty-year-long silence of her daughters’ absence. Her children have their own lives—they’ve married, traveled the world, and courted romance, fame, and even tragedy. But as they become modern, independent women in pursuit of their dreams, Theodora knows they need her—and each other—more than ever. Have they grown so far apart that they’ve forgotten their childhood home, or will their broken hearts finally lead them back again?
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The book begins with the story of the mother. She is left widowed with 5 daughters. She struggles as they grow up, marry, and leave one by one. The next chapters deal with the life stories of each of the daughters. The book ends as each daughter returns home bringing others with them until a new enlarged family emerges. There’s a good deal of tragedy and mistakes made as each woman grows to understand who she is and what she wants. I bought this book because the author and the story are Greek. If you enjoy getting glimpses of other cultures and other times, you will enjoy this book. While it’s not a page-turner with suspense, but it definitely keeps your interest. Main message — the ability of families to overcome and be a refuge even after being apart for years. Four stars if you don’t like reading about painful experiences.
This book held my attention throughout. It was a rather lengthy book and over all theme became rather predictable. I would recommend keeping log of characters because it got a little confusing with the Greek names. Author may have been better to have fewer daughters included because it became a little too long and repetitive. It was very good writing, had interesting characters and storyline. I would recommend it.
THE HOUSE BY THE RIVER is a well-told tale of redemption that spans twenty years and several countries. The author, Lena Manta, begins with a single vibrant story, then with utmost care divides it into several, before deftly rejoining them again.
The writing was literary and lyrical, but the characters seemed very cardboard and shallow. I gave up after reading about a quarter.
Couldn’t finish.
Wow, what can I say?
This is a brilliant read telling of family bonds, heartbreak, tragedy, love and loss.
So well written; it was a real page-turner for me, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Ms. Lena Manta was able to create 6 story lines that intersected at the House by the River. I loved that she kept the characters ‘ journeys separate; too many authors try to keep the time sequence the same and then jumble up the stories. Not here. Clear stories. Fabulous character development. A wealth of information on each of the places where the story is taking place. A world wide setting, tied together by The House by the River. A wonderful piece of historical fiction. Great book … Worthy of 10 stars!
This book was a great story of five sisters, but sometimes it was hard to keep each of them straight.
Ok this book is a great emotional roller coaster. Reading through the lives of these women is both tragic and beautiful because even though each daughter leaves home and experiences life with some hardships, love, loss, and success they all return to their roots to continue. The women start off as girls and end strong women. I especially love the relationship between the mother and grandmother throughout the years. This is a great book for mothers and daughters to share.
This was a moving story that followed members of a family over the years. Five daughters who leave home seeking their desires & dreams, to face the discoveries and errors of their decisions. In time, the truth that “there was no place like home”, impacted each of them differently but with great incite. A marvelous guide for readers to be able to review their own plans & decisions.
Great listening on audible!
I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book but it was about Greece so I was definitely interested. It’s about a Greek family who had all daughters. The daughters all move away from their village and home and embark on adventures to fulfill their dreams. The mother waits to hear from them or to see them for a long time, never knowing what is really happening with each of them. Tear jerker ending. Loved it.
It was too predictable. Each character went through almost identical situations and it just seemed like same stories, only the names changed. Disappointing.
Well…..this book was recommended by my Book Club. It started off with an interesting premise of five daughters leaving home (The House By The River) and Mama sending them out to marry with the promise that “home” would always be waiting for them if life got to be difficult. Difficult it was so we got five different stories of what eventually brought them all back. That said…..it turned “sappy” for me. All five were beyond beautiful, eventually rich and all sex starved. I finished it but did not leave the book feeling I had spent my time wisely. Entertaining but not much else.
I did not expect a Greek written novel to be something I could relate to. I chose this read as a lark because I was in Greece recently. What I discovered was universal messages of caution, hope and love. The story is well constructed and, while a bit smarmy here and there, very engaging.
Sometimes overly dramatic and steamy for my liking, but over all interesting, unpredictable characters that keep you reading and wanting to know how they resolve the conflicts/tragedies in their lives.
I liked finding out about the family. It’s tragedies and successes make a great story. The book is so like our lives today.
I’m so torn on how I feel about this book. The concept is really appealing but it left much to be desired. It could’ve been so much better. And honestly, I’d love to see it as a miniseries. This could easily be the next “Big Little Lies.”
1) The English translation may have destroyed it. The sections that could’ve or should’ve been deeply descriptive just fell flat or were simply glossed over. Some of the important parts were rushed, but then boring, unimportant details were drawn out.
2) (Semi-spoiler alert) Each individual story is so long that I found myself forgetting which sister endured which tragedy by the time they all returned home.
3) Am I to believe it’s common in Greek culture to marry and leave home only to NEVER correspond with your family again? Because I don’t.
I love the idea of telling each character’s story over from the day they left, but there has to be a better way.
Also, the “girl power” aspect was pretty strong, which isn’t always typical for genres of this time period. A lot of women backing women, women as sexual beings, and women making it on their own.
I wish I knew Greek and could read this in it’s original form. But regardless I can’t wait to see it streaming somewhere near me in the future 😉
Mothers and sisters. Quite by chance I began reading this just before Mother’s Day. So glad I did! What a precious story of sisters and those who love them. Many twists and turns of life that happened to us all, but finding the wisdom and manner are to live again…
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit predictable but I liked the descriptions of the characters , I could easily visualize them. The personalities of the characters
Were brought out well, made you love some and others not so much .
I would read more of this authors books