The House by the River, Lena Manta
The House by the River, Lena Manta
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The House by the River

Author: Lena Manta, Gail Holst-Warhaft

Narrator: Courtney Patterson

Unabridged: 18 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download (DRM Protected)

Published: 11/01/2017

Synopsis

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 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?

About Lena Manta

Lena Manta was born in Istanbul, Turkey, to Greek parents. She moved to Greece at a very young age and now lives with her husband and two children on the outskirts of Athens. Although she studied to be a nursery school teacher, Lena instead directed her own puppet theater before writing articles for local newspapers and working as a director for a local radio station. Manta was proclaimed Author of the Year in both 2009 and 2011 by Greek Life & Style magazine. She has written thirteen books, all of them published by Psichogios Publications, including the bestselling The House by the River, which has sold almost 250,000 copies and is the first of her books to be translated into English. Hers is a voice to be reckoned with, and each new book is a tour de force in the Greek publishing world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kevin on July 26, 2018

This was a freebie from Amazon for World Book Day. I was in the mood for a novel set in another country and was looking forward to Greece. However, it was a DNF at 15%. I was hoping to get lots of descriptions of the city, the food, and the intricate details of a small Greek village. Instead, I got......more

Goodreads review by Lisa on October 07, 2018

A emotional and poignant Greek family saga following five young women as they pursue their dreams, only to realize their home by the river is a healing place. SUMMARY Life was simple in the house by the river at the foot of Mount Olympus in Greece. Theodora and the tall, handsome Gerasimos kept goats......more

Goodreads review by Betty on October 11, 2017

This family saga started out quite promising, but it was the same story told five times. It made me wonder how two matriarchs who were solidly grounded raised such self-focused daughters. That disappointed me no end.......more

Goodreads review by James on December 14, 2019

Wonderfully captivating I loved this book from start to finish. Recently I moved back to my small hometown and felt myself drawn to this powerful story of these women who no matter their life journeys always had their roots pulling them back. I laughed and cried and marveled at how if I hadn't had be......more

Goodreads review by Sue Prince on October 05, 2017

This was my free monthly book from Amazon Prime and I was very surprised at what an excellent book this was......more

Quotes

“In the first of bestselling Greek writer Manta’s works to be translated into English, she demonstrates her keen perception into the human heart…Gripping, intricate story lines and [a] touching finale.” —Booklist “In this poignant chronicle, Lena Manta examines the lives of five individual girls who leave their home. While their departures are typical, the possibility of their return forms the intriguing premise of this novel…The strong prose and descriptions of Greece and other locales are engrossing.” —Historical Novel Society “A gripping and deeply touching novel, The House by the River was the page-turner of my reading month, more sentimental than I typically go in for, but intricate and well wrought. Can we ever really go home? Manta has some ideas.” —Words Without Borders

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