Book Review On: The Summer Will Come by Soulla Christodoulou
About the author (as seen in the book)
Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents Soulla Christodoulou spent much of her childhood living carefree days full of family, school and friends. She was the first in her family to go to university and studied BA Hotel & Catering Management at Portsmouth University. Years later, after having a family of her own she studied again at Middlesex University and has a PGCE in Business Studies and an MA in Education.
Soulla is a Women’s Fiction author and wrote her first novel Broken Pieces of Tomorrow over a few months while working full time in secondary education and is a mother of three boys.
She is a compassionate and empathetic supporter of young people. Her passion for teaching continues through private tuition of English Language and Children’s Creative Writing Classes.
Her writing has also connected her with a charity in California which she is very much involved in as a contributor of handwritten letters every month to support and give hope to women diagnosed with breast cancer. One of her letters will be featured in a book ‘Dear Friend’ out in September 2017.
She also has a poetry collection, Sunshine after Rain, published on Amazon. The Summer Will Come is her second novel which has received an endorsement for William Mallinson, author and Historian. Her current work in progress, for now is titled Trust is a Big Word and will be her third fiction novel.
When asked, she will tell you she has always, somewhere on a subconscious level, wanted to write and her life’s experiences both personal and professional have played a huge part in bringing her to where she was always meant to be; writing books and drinking lots of cinnamon and clove tea!
Website: soulla-author.com
Blog: soulla-author.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/soullaabookauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/schristodoulou2
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/soullasays
Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/asceducational
Publication date: 7th March 2018
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: Paperback 9781976908040
Also available in Ebook format
Pages: 492 pages Paperback and 494pages Ebook
Genre: Fiction/ Historical
Format reading: Paperback
Copy provided by: Author
Blurb (as seen on the back cover)
Set in the 1950s, the story begins in Cyprus. EOKA, British rule, and the fight for Enosis (unity) disrupt the world of two Greek Cypriot families, living in different villages on the island. They are desperately trying to cope with the unpredictability of this fractious time.
Circumstances over a five-year period push both families to escape to London where, as immigrants, they struggle to settle, face new challenges, trauma and cope with missing their homeland’s traditions and culture.
Both families’ lives cross paths in London and it seems that happier beginnings could be theirs. But at what cost?
A story of passion for a country in turmoil, family love, loyalty and treachery and how, sometimes, starting over isn’t always as imagined.
My Review
Before I get into my review of The Summer Will Come, I would like to say a lovely thank-you to Soulla, for not only asking me to read, give my honest thought’s and feelings on her book; but for also sending me with a singed paperback. I was delighted to be asked!
I have to say first a foremost that I the front cover really does it for me! The water colours as they seep into each other as they merge together. A window pane is coloured in red and you can see a single candle though the window. The title is in a swirly writing font which I always think is kind of like giving it the personal touch! The ‘S’ of the Summer has a shiny glint which shines like the sun is beaming down on it!!!! Soulla’s name is also in white and sits a the bottom of the cover. I really like this cover a lot!!!!
The Summer Will Come by Soulla Christodoulou is a book set in the 1950’s when back there is unrest in Cyprus, where British Rule and EOKA fight for unity with Greece. And shows two family’s families as they struggle to live in their country and how they both want a better life for their family’s in London.
Evangelia is married to Kostas who has gone ahead to London to set up before he sends for his family to come over. He leaves behind his wife two children Elena and Andreas and a mother in-law to struggle to make ends meet; sowing lace. However he has been gone a while with very little word from him. Evangelia begins to get worried about the unrest in her their beloved Cyprus and the safety of her family. When she receives a letter from her aunt in England informing her to bring the family over to stay with her for the time being. On hearing this news the family work all the hours to save the money they need for the journey. But where is Kostas? Why hasn’t her written? How will they all get on living in a foreign country? Can they find work? Can they cope with the change of weather, food and culture? Will it be everything they hoped it would be? Will there be more rocky roads ahead for this family? How will Elena and Andreas cope growing up their in a different way of life? How will they be received with British people?
The second family father, husband and business man Loizos has three children Christaki, Pavlo and Melani and is married to Anastasia a seamstress. He run’s his own successful shoe makers shop and provides well for his family. Loizos is very concerned for the future of his family in Cyprus. He doesn’t agree with all the fighting and does his best to intercept EOKA rebels intelligence. But he knows he has to get his family to England in a bit for a better life, and sends them all their while he stay’s to carry on intercepting intelligence. How long before he makes it over to be with his family? How will they all cope with their new life in England? Can they make it till Loizos comes over? How will Anastasia cope without her husband by her side in a foreign land? How will Christaki, Pavlo and Melani get on living in a different country?
Gosh, what a book! From the very first page I was not just hooked but I felt totally immersed in this story, from the fictitious characters; journey, traditions, romance and their new life struggles to all the history woven within. I feel Soulla has brought a slice of history to my attention that I was not familiar with, giving me an insight and understanding, that I didn’t have before reading. (I love learning new things!!!) And the description is out of this world; which evokes all the reader senses and enriching the story for me as a reader. I also want to say how helpful the glossary at the back of the book was while reading is, I felt again I learnt a lot! And the beautiful poem in the front was really lovely touch!!
All in all what a wonderfully put together story that is rich in culture, traditions, history and a beautiful romance to boot! what more can you ask for in a book?!
Marie’s Book Boutique gives
The Summer Will Come by Soulla Christodoulou
A Superb 5 Sparkly Stars
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Growing up in Boston, Liz discovered early on that her best friends could be books. While waiting on a place for Harvard, she moved to London to see if life looked different from the other side of the Atlantic. It did and she soon fell in love with an Englishman. Now happily married with three children, she spends as much time as possible at her home in Cornwall.
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