A brilliant read. The opening chapters, detailing Helena’s time with her grandparents in Athens pulled me in straight away. I felt I was there with them experiencing the sights and sounds of the Greek capital and bringing back memories of my own time there. Victoria Hislop is excellent at bringing fact and fiction together and blending them into a compulsive read. I had difficulty putting this down, I think I could easily have locked myself away in a room until I had finished it. Frustratingly, that was not possible.
Charting Helena’s journey from child to adult, we see a young woman of mixed heritage – Scottish father and Greek mother - raised in Scotland, but regularly visiting Greece to spend summers with her grandparents. There she develops her Greek and immerses herself in their culture. As her journey to adulthood takes her forward, her connection with Greece remains, even though political issues prevent her from visiting. But the highlight of the story has to be the history of Greek civilisation and her involvement in helping bring looters of historical artifacts to justice. A fascinating story and one which stayed with me long after the last page.

I would like to thank Headline, Victoria Hislop and Netgalley for an ARC of The Figurine in exchange for an honest review

The story tells of a young girl who takes yearly childhood trips on her own to visit a Greek grandmother . We learn early on in the story that her own mother is estranged from both her parents, but not exactly why. As the story progresses it becomes clear that the grandfather is a strict disciplinarian and has been part of the military dictatorship ruling Greece for a number of years.
I didn’t know very much about Greek modern history, until I read this novel, which really did explain to me a lot of things about the country. The novel really is very firmly based in Greece and country acts as if it were a an additional character in the story.
The author has an easy flowing, relaxing, prose style, and this book really was a relaxing read it would be ideal to take on holiday . I suppose the novel probably is best placed within the ChickLit category of writing, and I felt that it didn’t quite have the intensity of emotion and depth that her previous novel The Island had for example.
A lot of the novel deals with the stripping of Greeks archaeological ruins, for profit. The figurine of the title is a an ancient Greek artefact found by one of the characters. It is hard to mention archaeological plunder without mentioning Lord Elgin and his theft of Greek antiquities . The ethics behind this practice was mentioned so many times in the story, but it did start to feel a little preachy . As a reader, I would’ve preferred to come to my own opinion, rather than have the authors opinion made so clear to me.
I was sent a copy of this book to take part in a book blog tour with random things tours in the book is published in the UK on the 28th of September 2023 by Headline books
This review will be published first, as part of the random things blog tour and subsequently on NetGalley, UK good reads and my book blog, bionicsarahsbooks.wordpress.com.m After publication the review will appear on Amazon, UK

I was lucky to get a Netgalley ARC of Victoria Hislop’s The Figurine in return for an honest review and here it is!

I was really looking forward to reading this book as my October choice for the #neglectedfaithfuls challenge as I’d enjoyed her books before.

The book is about Helena McCloud (don’t get me started on this unusual spelling of the name, I’ve known McLeods and MacLeods and Mcleods and Macleods but I’ve never known a McCloud but, hey, I Googled it and it exists so move on, Lynn!) the daughter of a Scottish father and a Greek mother. We first meet her aged eight on a solo visit to her grandparents in Athens in the late 1960s. Their home is opulent, her gran seems kind enough but her grandfather is a different kettle of fish, a cruel authoritarian with a series of mysterious visitors. There’s also a creepy ‘uncle’ also hangs around. Strangely her grandparents never talk about her mum. Helena grows up, studies chemistry at Oxford, and learns the shameful history of her family. She gets romantically involved with a bad ‘un who ends up getting entangled with a member of her Greek family. In the end Helena gets the opportunity to make some reparations for her family’s past actions and incriminates her ex boyfriend for his.

This should have been a good book. It started with promise but I found it dragging in the middle. I started to flick through the pages and, though it picked up, it never really took off. It remained in ‘meh territory’ as I put it. The plot was flimsy in places, many of the characters were one dimensional with some just happening to have a friend who had friends who could smooth things out for Helena. I thought that some of Helena’s actions weren’t in keeping with her education and experience and some things were just too good to be true.

At over 500 pages this book would have benefitted from tighter editing. Finally, I wish I’d got the audio version of this book because it’s got a lot of Greek in it (even quotations from books) and I wanted to hear the correct pronunciation, not some barbaric garble in my head.

“The theft of cultural treasures and the falsification of provenance diminishes our understanding of civilisation. Every object illegally removed, smuggled and sold impoverishes the victim country …. Beauty has always cast its spell, but down the ages has always driven some to crime.” - from Foreword.

My thanks to Headline Review for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Figurine’ by Victoria Hislop.

The figurine of the title and cover is a Cycladic statuette from the Bronze Age. These examples of ancient art have an air of mystery that captures the imagination. As a result they are highly sought after by collectors and looters alike.

‘The Figurine’ opens in 1968 and continues into the 1980s. It provides plenty information about Greek history and culture during this period while powerfully evoking its landscape and the lives of its peoples.

It is also a coming-of-age story focusing on Helena McCloud, whose mother, Mary, was Greek. Mary had married Hamish McCloud, a young GP living in England and had been estranged from her family in Athens for years.

In 1968 eight-year-old Helena travels to Athens to spend the first of a number of summers with her maternal grandparents. At this time Greece is ruled by a brutal military dictatorship. Helena soon realises that her grandfather had been one of the regime’s generals. We follow Helena through a number of visits and later she attends Oxford and studies chemistry.

Just before the start of her final year Helena falls under the spell of the charming Nicholas Hayes-Jones. He is leaving to volunteer at an archaeological dig on an Aegean island. He invites Helena to join him. She agrees. However, while there she becomes concerned about suspicious activities.

The summer following her graduation Helena inherits her grandparents’ large flat in Athens. While clearing it ready for sale she discovers a trove of valuable antiquities along with evidence that her late grandfather had been involved in the trafficking of illegal antiquities.

Her curiosity about her heritage dovetails with a growing interest in archaeology. Underpinning this is her determination to protect these precious fragments recovered from the earth and make reparation for her grandfather’s crimes.

Helena at times seemed very young and naive, though given her age and background it wasn’t that surprising. There were also elements of romance that I felt was well integrated into the larger narrative.

I found the material about the trade in illegal antiquities compelling. As Hislop’s Foreword indicated this is clearly an issue close to her heart.

Overall, I found ‘The Figurine’ an engaging read that was also informative on various issues. Victoria Hislop is a wonderful writer whose rich descriptions effortlessly transported me into the time and place of her story.

I have just finished reading this exciting and informative read. As an ex-professional archaeologist myself, the details rang mostly very true, and it was fascinating to discover smugglers specialising in antiquities, and how are they achieve their crime.

The first third of the book moved quite slowly for me but the characters were believable, and it almost seemed like a separate story, but set the scene and explained Helena’s links with Greece.

For me, the book could have started when Helena goes off to university, yet we hear very little about her time spent there. However, it gets very interesting at the end of her third summer when she goes on her first dig and her life partly moves to London.

I thought the story line was quite inevitable but nonetheless enjoyable, and Hislop’s characterisation is impeccable, especially regarding the dreadful male characters in the novel..

I read The Figurine quite soon after The Island, both were incredibly evocative of Greece, but personally I did prefer The Island.

Hislop is a highly descriptive author, who knows her subject matter well and draws you into an action-packed storyline, and I’m sure I will read more of her works.

This unbiased review was written in exchange for an advance copy of the novel from the publishers

An enjoyable story set against a backdrop of Greek history from the sixties. Helena is sent every summer to stay with her Greek grandparents in Athens. With mixed feelings about her loving grandmother and stern, detached grandfather the historical context is revealed. Later Helena returns, in love, to help on an archaeological dig which brings the past and the present together.

As always with Victoria Hislop books, this was an enjoyable tale set against the back drop of Greece during a particular period of history. Set during two different timelines - the main character's childhood spent in Athens with her grandparents in the early 1970's and then in the 1980's, she discovers that family secrets should be best left alone but endeavours to uncover the truth and put things right for those involved.

This was a wonderful read. Not only was it an engaging story line but also a vivid picture of Greece and the people who live there. A well researched book as always and I felt that my knowledge was a little richer for reading this book. Highly recommended.

Victoria Hislop always produces interesting, well researched historical reads and “The Figurine” is a perfect example. Once I picked up this book I found it very difficult to put it down.
In this one, the author has crafted a wonderful story about a young girl’s relationship with Greece and her desire to protect the beautiful historical artefacts the country produces.
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.
Unaware of the political turmoil in the country including the military dictatorship, nor of her strict authoritarian Grandfather’s part in it, Helena just enjoys the sunshine, ice creams and her YaYa (Grandmother). She wonders why her mother and father prefer to stay at home in their small English village but doesn’t really enquire too closely. Her trips to military parades are not particularly enjoyable but to be endured as part of her holiday.
As she grows up she realises that her Grandfather is a terrible man but still enjoys her visits to Greece where she starts to the learn the language and connects with her Grandmother. She fears her Grandfather but once he passes away she finds her Grandmother a much lighter person.
Finally, after both her grandparents’ deaths she visits Greece with her parents and learns more about Greek history from her mother and then some other heartbreaking news.
At university she returns to Greece to take part in an archaeological dig and discovers that artefacts found can easily be stolen and sold for excessive amounts of money by some very unscrupulous people.
I loved the story of Helena, how she grows to love her Greek heritage, her life at University in the 1980s which truth be told actually reminded me a bit of my time studying in the same time frame!
Her return to Greece and her inheritance of the apartment leading to her subsequent discoveries was a great finale to the book. The characters were all well rounded, particularly Helena and her family and of course her Greek friends. The historical detail was incredibly interesting- I knew so little about this period in Greek history and now I feel I know a bit more about these turbulent times.
The problem of the plundering of archeological artefacts was something I’d heard about but never deeply contemplated. “The Figurine” certainly brought it to the forefront of my mind.
By the time I’d finished the book I was mentally booking a trip to Athens in order to see more of the country and the beautiful historical sights described.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for my advance copy.

The Figurine by Victoria Hislop is another interesting novel with glorious Greece as the main backdrop.
In short, we follow Helena’s quest to come to terms with her family’s brutal past in Greece during the Greek junta dictatorship in the 60’s.
I’ve read and enjoyed Victoria’s book’s in the past so was looking forward to reading The Figurine and I can confirm that it’s another well written, well researched and well told story. This novel was inspired by third millennium bc figurines found buried in Greece and illegally removed, smuggled and sold through criminal gangs on an international scale…and from this Victoria has crafted another compelling and captivating story.
Big thanks to Victoria Hislop, Headline and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

Helena Mcloud is half Greek and half Scottish. As a child she visits her Greek grandparents in Athens alone, unsure of the rift between them and her mother.
She has completed her third year (of four) studying chemistry at Oxford University and attends a Greek theatrical production by the English department. She is mesmerised by Nick, who plays the lead role. He invites her to an archeological dig on the Greek island of Nisos. This results in another visit the following year.
All is not as it seems and as truths come out, the one sure thing is how much her father loves her.
What a wonderful read, so emotive and descriptive - giving a real sense of being in the various locations.
I loved Helena and her determination.

Victoria Hislop's books are classics. Well written, and which take you to other places and times and bring them vividly to life. This book is no exception and again shows why Ms Hislop is a master of her craft.

Helena is half Greek and half Scottish. Whilst her Greek mother feels that she should know about her Greek heritage and lets her spend summers with Helena's Grandparents in Greece, her mother will never go back to see her parents again. Her father was the worst kind of General under a brutal dictatorship, and thought nothing of imprisoning anyone who disagreed with the regime, sentencing them effectively to death or worse

When Helena inherits their apartment, she finds out just how disgusting her father was, and is determined to right some wrongs. Meanwhile she has been helping out on some archaeological digs, and she find out that looting these ancient Greeks treasures is still rife, and decides to bring some of the perpetrators to justice with the help of some influential friends.

An exciting, beautifully crafted, story - fully evocative of the time and place. It highlights the all to real issues of many Greek treasures dishonestly ending up sold all over the world. Another Victoria Hislop triumph.

1968 and little Helena McCloud is headed to Athens on her own. Helena is meeting her Grandparents for the first time. She has been forewarned by her mother that her grandfather may be formal with her. Helena likes her grandmother, her Yiayiá.
The book moves through the years as Helena has repeat summer visits to Greece, to see her grandmother and improve her Greek language. It mentions certain events in History that happened over the years in the timescale of the book, events that invoked memories because of their significance.
The book also moves between Helena’s time spent in Greece, and her life in England.
There are sightseeing trips, and the book reminds myself of a lovely visit to Athens I had some years back.
I loved the interesting facts peppered throughout the book, describing them so well, and the mention of the different food types just made me wish I were back in Greece.
Bonding, growing up, and sharing knowledge and life experiences, through the years and chapters.
I found some very interesting topics in the book, and I enjoyed reading this enormously, so very interesting.
The story had me completely hooked.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

I adore Victoria Hislop novels and this new one certainly didn't disappoint. She's always so good at capturing Greece on the page - not just the location, but the whole ethos of Greek being and culture. The start of this book reminded me a bit of Captain Corelli's Mandolin as it depicted historical events as seen by ordinary people. As it moved on I was just fascinated as it delved into Greek antiquity and archaeology which are other great interests of mine. A brilliant read. Highly recommend.

There is no Victoria Hislop book that I have read that I haven't loved and The Figurine was no exception. Hislop transported me to Athens and I felt as if I was walking the streets with Helena. I learnt so much from The Figurine about the history of Greece, as I did with Those Who Are Loved.
The story was clever, although perhaps a little long in places. I adore Hislop's writing so that didn't bother me.
Whilst there were a few laughs in The Figurine, I was moved on a number of occasions too and I really loved all the friendships Helena made on her journey, which were so heartwarming.
An absolute joy to read.

A lovely story steeped in Greek history that this author is famous for.
Helena spends many of her childhood summers with her Grandparents in Athens Greece. Her Mum is Greek and her Dad Scottish and although her Mother is keen for Helena to explore her Greek Heritage, she has no desire to travel back to her family homeland.
Helena feels a strong connection with the place and adores her Grandmother and the housekeeper but is apprehensive when it comes to her Grandfather.
As the story continues over the years into Helena’s adulthood, she becomes involved with Greek archaeology and the crimes that are committed both historically and present.
As usual with Victoria Hislop books, it is written with great knowledge and passion that made for an interesting and pleasurable read.
My thanks to Headline and Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

This is the best novel I have read in a long time. It starts in 1968 when 8 year old Helene McCloud goes to Greece to visit her grandparents for the first time. Her mother, Mary, left home to study at university in England as she hated her father so much. She swore to never go back until he was dead.
Helene soon learns to hate her grandfather as much as her mother. He was a high ranking official during the war and the cruel regime of the colonels. Helene learns Greek and is fascinated by the history of the country and the more she discovers about her grandfather’s cruelty during the war the more she despises him.
Helene studies Chemistry at Oxford and meets a charismatic student, Nick, who is leaving Oxford after graduation and going on an archeological dig to a Greek Island, he suggests Helene should join him. She soon learns about the looting that is going on in the islands but it’s not until her second dig that she realises Nick is one of the looters.
There is so much interesting history woven throughout the book as well as the corruption surrounding the antiquities that are traded. Helene is determined to try and give some retribution to the people her grandfather had imprisoned and at the same time stop as much of the illegal trading she has discovered while on her digs and through the journals she has found amongst her grandfather’s possessions.

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This story begins in 1968 when Helena was 8 years old and visiting hr grandparents in Greece. It continues on through to the 1980s. This story covers a good deal of the political situation in Greece and how gradually as Helena gets older, so she has a greater understanding of the situation as regards to her own family. Helena was a little naive at times but she did eventually realise what was happening. This was a well researched book, not only the sights and sounds of the areas but also the way the artefacts that were discovered, were treated. In particular, the way unscrupulous people used them to obtain vast amounts of money. This was an engaging story, there is someone romance but Helena is mainly concerned with trying to put right past injustices and also revenge for the way she was used. It does have a very satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Victoria gives wonderful descriptions of Greece & it’s islands. Helena travels to Athens to see her grandma in her summer holidays. She has one memorable holiday in Greece with her parents, described in glorious detail. After university Helena travels to Greece & the main story unfolds. I too found the book a little long.
All the earlier parts took us on Helena’s journey, explaining her background, leading us to the main event.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley. I am writing a voluntary honest review.