“Hamish’s impression was that kindness itself was a cure, and one that was as powerful as any drug.” 💙
The Figurine has been sitting on my NetGalley shelf for a while, and when @megbatsbooks suggested a buddy read, it pushed me to finally pick it up. 😊 Now while I didn't hate it, I didn't love it either. 🤷♀️ First off, the title is The Figurine and we see no such thing until approximately 70% into the book, which was strange. 😅 There was a lot of (for want of a better phrase) ‘world-building’ in the story. 📚 We learn about the Greek Junta — the military regime which took place from 1967–1974 — and while it was relevant to the rest of the story, there probably didn't need to be quite so much of it. 🤔
I enjoyed Helena clearing out her grandparents’ apartment, and I was invested in what she was finding. 🏺 I loved the friends she made in Athens, and I was keen to follow along on the investigative journey to search for answers about what was happening in the archaeological digs. 🔎 However, for me, the final third of the book felt rushed, and the author could have made so much more of it. 📖
It's apparent that Greece and Greek history are a real passion of Victoria’s. 🇬🇷 From what I’m aware, the majority of her books are set in Greece and are historical fiction based on real events. ✨ The Figurine, for me, was just a little too heavy on the history, but I’m sure others will absolutely adore it. ❤️
I loved The Island by the same author — in fact, I want to read it again alongside a nonfiction book I have on the subject. 📚 so I’ll definitely be back to you with my thoughts on that at some point. 😊
Thank you to Headline Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Figurine by Victoria Hislop, and thank you to @megbatsbooks for helping me get through this one. 💕
About the Book
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.
About Victoria
Victoria Hislop is an award-winning British author and journalist best known for her bestselling historical novels set in Greece and the Mediterranean. Before becoming a novelist, she worked in publishing, television, and journalism, writing for several national newspapers and magazines. Her debut novel, The Island (2005), achieved international success and was later adapted into a popular Greek television series.
Hislop’s writing is widely praised for its vivid sense of place, emotional storytelling, and exploration of themes such as family, love, resilience, and the impact of history on ordinary lives. Many of her novels, including The Return, The Thread, and Those Who Are Loved, draw inspiration from real historical events and cultures, blending meticulous research with compelling human stories. Through her work, she has developed a strong connection with Greece and its people, becoming one of the country’s most beloved contemporary international authors.
Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US
