Have been totally unaware of Victoria Hislop until I decided to read this book. Odd really as I am a great fan of Greece and particularly the islands.

The Figurine drew me in from the very first page even though the plot seemed somewhat unclear. Fortunately clarity came quite quickly and whilst I liked the way some of the characters were drawn, I really was challenged by the stereotypical ones.

'Twas also quite predictable in its formula, arriving, as one would expect, at the usual conclusion and in the usual manner. I also found that the plot seemed to lose itself for a short while before getting back on track just in time for that predictable finale.

Would score 7 out of 10 but, as this is Amazon, 4 out of 5.

Definitely an easy and entertaining enough read and I might just dip into something else of hers if I am in need of a very light read on my next visit to Crete.

I’ve never read Victoria hislop before but I really enjoyed this story about a young girl Helena who spends her summers in Greece with her grandparents. It kept me intrigued throughout. My thanks to netgalley for the arc copy.

This is a beautifully written evocative novel set in England, Scotland and Greece with the narrative being so full of luscious descriptions of the places, archeology and people that it was hard to put down.

Helena is part Greek and part Scottish and when young she would spend summers with her Greek grandparents. Her grandmother was kind and loving but her grandfather was hard and cruel. Later in life Helena learns why her mother never returned to Greece while her father was alive.

As an adult Helena finds herself in Greece sorting through her grandparents home and makes some startling discoveries. She has been unlucky in love and had fallen for a fellow student who has not treated her well and the finds he made while helping at a Greek dig were treated with even less respect.

Through dogged determination to right the past and to ensure her Greek heritage is protected Helena begins to help to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A beautifully told story with fabulous characters and a vivid scenery that makes you believe you are in Greece. The descriptions of the local museums and they locals that Helena and her parents meet are so realistic it feels as if the reader is there with them.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A first Victoria Hislop novel for this reviewer, and mixed feelings overall. The writing felt a little stilted at times, and the story was quite heavily padded - it could have been much shorter, and would have flowed more freely for it. Having said that, Hislop’s research into both Ancient Greek artefacts and the more recent mid 20th century political trouble of the country is impressive, and the reader will finish the book well informed. The story moved quite slowly for the first half of the book - the Figurine of the title didn’t appear for a long time, leaving the reader wondering what was happening. Although I didn’t find this book immediately relatable, there were many enthralling moments and I was eager to find out what happened at the end, the story having picked up pace as it progressed.

This was my first Victoria Heslop novel since The Island and I absolutely loved it! Her passion for Greece and everything Greek just poured out of every page. The complicated history of Greek politics in the 20th century is simply explained through Helena's visits to her grandparents in Athens as a young girl and her mother's estrangement from her parents before that.
Later as a student Helena visits Greece to help on archaeological digs and discovers the extent of the abuse and theft of the artifacts. When she discovers the extent of members of her own family's involvement in this theft she works tirelessly to see justice done. An excellent and extremely interesting book I am happy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Victoria Hislop never disappoints. I'm always so excited to get my hands on our books. Vivid descriptions of culture, food and Greece localities. Absolutely devoured this.

An interesting novel that follows half-Greek, half-Scottish Helena as she grows up in England and Athens, falls in love and gets involved in archaeology. The author perfectly evoked Greece's beauty and atmosphere, leaving me keen to go back there. It also taught me a lot about the history of the Greek Civil War in the 1940s and the junta in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The story was slow at times, but it was still an entertaining read. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved all of the books I have read by Victoria Hislop. This didn’t disappoint. I loved the characters and the story line, I couldn’t put it down but didn’t want it to end. I will definitely recommend this book.

Really interesting Greek history and descriptions of food and culture and a good tale to accompany them. Lovely to read on holiday on a Greek island

Wonderful book bringing together Greek archaeology and a story about Helena's life as a young girl going to Athens to see her grandparents

I did initially find the autho'rs frequent use of Greek words rather annoying, but. I found in the end that it brought home the close link of the main character to Greece. The story really brings home the horror of the pillaging of Greek historical artefacts through the years. I now feel much more sympathy towards the case for the return of the Elgin Marbles!

I am a big fan of Hislop's previous works, and her ability to transport readers to Greece through her evocative storytelling. However, 'The Figurine' left me with some mixed feelings.

The story follows Helena, who upon inheriting her grandparents' Athens apartment, stirs up memories of her childhood summers spent in Greece during a brutal military dictatorship. Her grandfather, a distant and stern figure, was connected to the regime's generals, and as Helena delves into her family history, she stumbles upon a treasure trove of valuable objects and antiquities. This discovery triggers questions about her heritage and the human cost of her grandfather's collection. Alongside her exploration of her family's past, Helena develops a fascination for archaeology, cultivated during a summer on an Aegean island.

Something about Helena's story felt a little contrived compared to Hislop's previous works. While the premise was intriguing, I found it difficult to buy into the fact that Helena, who is portrayed as a kind of mega-genius, couldn't see through certain characters, particularly Nick, immediately. The plotline seemed to strain credibility at times and parts felt very predictable.

On the more positive side, I appreciated the Greek aspects woven throughout the narrative, especially as someone with Greek heritage myself. However I just didn't feel this story packed the same emotional punch as Hislop's earlier novels. It lacked the depth and connection to the characters and their struggles that I've come to expect from her writing.

In summary, this story will certainly appeal to readers who enjoy delving into family mysteries and exploring the intersection of personal history and archaeology. However, compared to Hislop's previous works, it falls a bit short, with a storyline that feels less organic and characters who don't quite capture the heart as her past creations have done. It's a decent read, but it just didn't do it for me the way I hoped.

The Island is one of my all time favourite novels so I was excited to read another Victoria Hislop novel set in Greece, this time in Athens from the late 1960s to the 80s. I've visited Athens myself and stayed in an old apartment similar to Helena's grandparents in the story. I felt the story was slightly too long, and very detailed in Greek politics which whilst interesting, slowed down the narrative. I do understand from my Greek friends how ingrained in daily life politics is however, so I can understand this choice. Brilliant writing as always.

The first part covering Helena's childhood visits to Greece are really interesting. They give an insight of what it was like to be part of the wealthy, ruling elite. But as she grows up and encounters boys it starts to go downhill.
Based at a dig in the most boring part of the country, excavating the most boring shards she has only thr excitement of a lothario ne'r do well for the entire stay. Her exam resilta slip and only her love of Greece keeps her going.

As usual, the author's love of the country shines through. Parts around her grandparents' flat are really enjoyable but others drag,I found.

It's a good way to gain an understanding of the country's recent history. But not one of her best.

As I started reading I was a bit like 'is this going to be for me' however, I was soon engrossed in the storyline. I found that I couldn't put it down. They way it was written was just beautiful and I loved that although on the surface it may appear simply about getting 'revenge' almost there was much more to the book.

The descriptions of places were done beautifully without being too over descriptive, Although it focused on Helena, the other characters that were written as part of the story each played their part and added to it. I feel very touched by this book and it really makes you think and reflect on things. I almost feel that I can't quite put in to words well enough what a fabulous book this was.

This was a beautiful historic novel, featuring captivating scenery from the Greek setting. I enjoyed the rich history along with the modern day issues of illegal trafficking of historic artefacts. The blending of the old and new within the novel symbolises the dilemma faced by those living next to thousands of years of history. I found the beginning a bit slower, and harder to get into. However, once I reached a certain point, I was captivated and didn't want to put it down. Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved everything about this book, didn’t want it to end. Loved that it was set and all about Greece, authors love for Greece shines through. First book since t’he island’ I’ve read by same author, look forward to reading more.
Liked characters and storylines. Could there be a follow up? Hope so!. Would definitely recommend.

As always, the sense of Greece at a certain moment in time is created perfectly by Victoria Hislop. The oppressive atmosphere of young Helena’s grandparents’ apartment when she visits in the 1970s echoes the regime her grandfather is part of, and the whiff of corruption is never far away. And when, years later, she discovers an Athens of her own, the sense of new freedoms is palpable too.

I also really liked Helena as a character and was sufficiently interested to know how her story unfolded to almost forgive the head-hopping, which blighted the early parts of the book in particular. There was a vividly drawn supporting cast too, but I felt there were too many of them at times, too many scenes which contributed little to the overall narrative. I did enjoy the story, but overall it was too long in the telling for my taste.

On one level I feel bad criticising such a successful and established writer, but on the other, I do not want to misrepresent my personal opinion of the book.

An easy enjoyable read which would be a perfect holiday book. Overall I wasn’t as captivated by this as I have been with her previous books such as ‘the Island’ which is a particular favourite. However it is very well researched and depicts Greece and all its beauty with such clarity It just was a little longer than needed to be for the story I felt.

I’m afraid I didn’t finish this book, after reading for several hours and still having at least 6 more hours left I just wasn’t enjoying it. The writing seemed a little juvenile and nothing much seemed to be happening so I gave up. I was disappointed as I’d heard such good things about this author but this book just wasn’t for me!