REVIEWS​
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Here is the direct link review by D. Donovan, Editor, Donovan’s Recommended Reading/Donovan’s Literary Services. The review appears in the October 2024 issue, just click below and go straight to the review:
My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece: 1940-1944
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This review ALSO appears at the Midwest Book Review in the October issue and was written by D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review. Click on the link below to read the review:
https://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/oct_24.htm#dianedonovan
The review appears below, written by Diane Donovan: My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece: 1940-1944
Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo
Palmetto Publishing
979-8822940079
$32.99 Hardcover/$22.99 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/My-Beloved-Thessaloniki-Greece-1940-1944/dp/B0D7YRMPNC
While My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece: 1940-1944 may sound like a memoir, it’s actually a work of historical suspense spiced with elements of a thriller that rests firmly on events surrounding the outset of World War II in Greece. It ultimately considers how these affect and change one family.
Young father and university student Alexandros never anticipated that he could become involved in espionage, political plots, and dangerous resistance activities. But the Nazi threat immerses he and his family in a struggle to save everything they love.
From the start, Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo crafts a saga replete with a personal reflective overlay of her own family connections to Greece. These are introduced in a preface which confesses “I probably would have been born in Greece if it weren’t for the occupation of Greece during World War II…” It was an event that diverted her family, their lives, and their intentions—and ultimately separated future generations from their homeland.
Why the focus on Greece? Family connections were not Dr. DiBartolomeo’s only incentive for exploring its history. Equally motivating was her desire to illustrate how this small farming nation served as a beacon of resistance and hope for the rest of Europe, and her interest in illustrating the power of religion and faith in overcoming oppression against all odds.
Using her family members’ experience to flush out characters and bring Greek history to life, Dr. DiBartolomeo appeals to a much wider audience than a nonfiction memoir could have achieved. She illustrates the daily lives, social and political trials, and suspense of actively working against the Nazis with a passionate hand to drama, history, and well-developed tension.
These elements bring to life not only the resistance movement, but Greek psyche and convictions, as well as underlying religious connections that helped the Greeks not just survive the Nazis, but employ effective widespread efforts to quash their power.
Added value lies in the experiences of Greek immigrants to the U.S. and the challenges they faced both in a new country and in maintaining concern and connections in the old country. Given the dialogues on immigrant experiences today, the experiences of Greeks in the 1940s is especially relevant and important to any discussions about assimilation, homeland connections and roots, and why immigrants to America bring with them important strengths to add to its melting pot.
Being fictional, My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece both expands upon personalities and adds dramatic touches to embellish history so that readers will become immersed in characters and conspiracies. (Note: Those particular about historical accuracy will want to fact-check before taking all the events in My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece as real.)
Another plus about My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece lies in its focus on feelings, emotions, and the complexities of personal and political struggle. Throughout the story, these insights flush out the characters and their motivations, adding depth and interest to evolving events. From empathic connections to logical presumptions and conclusions, the story explores the points of view of characters such as Katerina, Alexandros, and others who face their deepest fears and threats to their loved ones.
As the story follows hard decisions, choices to flee and begin anew, and debates over democratic possibilities in Greece, readers receive a full-bodied account that simmers with intrigue, struggle, difficult decisions, and new opportunities both in America and at home in Greece.
Libraries seeking historical fiction steeped in the realistic portraits of ordinary Greeks caught up in events that challenge not only their psyches, but their survival as individuals and as a nation, will find My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece an important collection addition.
It will appeal widely, reaching readers with Greek roots and broader interests in how religion bolsters survival efforts, and general-interest audiences with a special interest in World War II history.
My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece: 1940-1944
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AMAZON
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
This was a truly beautiful and heart wrenching love story about a family trying to survive a world torn apart by hatred, greed, and distrust caused by the horrors of WW II. Alexandros and Katerina struggle to preserve their lives, their love, and everything dear to them as they are forced to flee from their home, family, and friends they love.
I found this book to be a haunting reminder of the Holocaust with frightening similarities to what is happening in our world today. More importantly, I was deeply moved by Alexandros and Katerina's spirit to survive and above all, maintain their strong faith in God and love for each other and humanity. I highly recommend this book for anyone who believes in love and the power of God.
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5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
This is an excellent read depicting World War II from the perspective of a Greek family with young children. The story centers on Alexandros and Katerina's struggle to survive the war, endure and resist the occupation. The tension continually swells as the historical events of the war envelope the characters.
Atrocities committed by the Nazis, including holocaust, starvation and oppression are graphically depicted and disturbing to read. I could feel the cumulative effect of the war on Alexandros, Katerina and the children as the war progressed, with the sense of loss weighing heavily. Fortunately, there are a few brief opportunities for the family to be together in relative safety, giving them renewed hope and a reason to continue the fight. This is a must read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with details
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
This is a well written book packed with details that make you feel as you are living out the lives of the main characters. After reading this book I gained appreciation for the perseverance and resilience the Greek people displayed during the war. It was eye opening to learn of sone of the hardships that the people of Greece endured.
This book contains plenty of suspense and I particularly enjoyed the ending. I would love to see a sequel.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024
This is a riveting portrayal of a people's struggle to survive the German occupation of Greece and its second largest city, Thessaloniki, during WWII. The author, Dr. DiBartolomeo, brilliantly depicts the events and the perils endured between 1940 and 1944 through her skillfully developed characters in this historically based novel. A deeply engaging book, the reader will experience the emotions and the hardships of Lieutenant Alexandros Matrinos and his family as they evade capture and fight against the Natzi war machine with an unwavering love of God and country. This book is masterfully written and I recommend it to readers who enjoy history, intrigue, and suspense.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to put down!
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
My Beloved Thessaloniki is a wonderfully written story and history lesson interwoven into one engaging book. I often found myself wondering if I would have had the same inner strength and unwavering faith as Alexandros and Katarina Matrinos if I were in a similar situation.
Based on the level of detail and vivid descriptions the reader encounters on each page, it is evident that Dr. DiBartolomeo spent extensive time researching this culture and time period. Additionally, the fact that the story is based on the author’s own family and their experiences makes it all the more riveting.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Recommend
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
Thoroughly recommend reading this book. I came to realize, intimately, what the people of Greece endured during those years and how bravely and unselfishly they fought for their country and ultimately the world. Felt like I was walking along side the characters portrayed in this compelling story and learned how they lived, loved and survived a devastating time in world history. A splendid literary accomplishment for this author. Being of greek heritage myself, it was all the more interesting to read.