Book Review: North of Ithaka

"North of Ithaka "A Tale of Homecoming and Reconciliation"

In 2001, Eleni N.Gage, the daughter of Nicholas Gage, author of Eleni, decided to step forward back. She announces to her family during their Thanksgiving celebration that she will be returning to reconstruct the family home, in Lia, Greece. The village of her father and four aunts, the village now made famous, by her father's recounting of the tragic death of beloved mother and grandmother, Eleni Gatzoyiannis, during the Greek Civil War in Epiros.

Her descriptions of village life, her efforts to reconstruct the family home, and her reconciliation with her tragic history, are articulately recalled and shared lovingly with the reader. Her detailed narrative, clearly invites the reader into her own personal experience, and allows them the opportunity to meander through her spiritual growth, concerns, hopes and joys.

The Greek American Magazine, accurately summarizes the book, "Told with an expert's attention to detail with all the wit and bewilderment of a young urbanite dropped into a strange, old world setting, North of Ithaka is part travel memoir, part family saga, and part story of self-discovery… One o of those few books that only along every couple of years that qualifies as a "must-read" for all Greek Americans."

Eleni Gage and her father, Nicholas Gage will be guests at the District #10 AHEPA Educational Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration, on October 14, 2006 at the St. Constantine and Helen, Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland, MI. Malista encourages those of you interested in meeting the Gages to attend. Tickets are available through Malista@malista.com. The Foundation will allow time for autographs and purchase of books at the event.

The Gage books may be purchased on Amazon.com, an affiliate of Malista.com.

Malista!