Helena’s attempt to make amends for some of her grandfather’s actions sees her wrestle with the meaning of ‘home’, both in relation to looted objects of antiquity … and herself. The plot moves to 1980 and Helena is now a young chemistry student at Oxford who takes the chance to return to Greece as a boy she has met is volunteering as an archaeological dig there and persuades her to join him. The plot speeds up in the last half as there is some dastardly business going on with ancients items being illegally removed from the dig. Sometimes poignant but never upsetting, this book highlights the strength of love, friendship and resilience over adversity. Complemented wonderfully by Gill Smith’s beautiful illustrations, this is an ideal book for older early readers who are ready explore more complex themes associated such as coping with adversity and having respect for others who may be different from themselves. Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors - and looters - alike. A beautiful, moving and thought provoking story, The Figurine is a stunning read . . . her love and passion for Greece comes through loud and clear with every word she writes’ Real Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Figurine by Victoria Hislop | Hachette UK

The surgeon seemed to be watching me closely as he gave me the test result. ‘It is cancer,’ he said. Yet I felt calm. I was in good hands and was offered surgery — a lumpectomy — a few days before Christmas, which seemed ideal as I wanted it to be over with as soon as possible. Alcohol wasn’t allowed before performing, so I resorted to the calming Bach’s Natural Remedy with its flower extracts and grape spirit, spraying it discreetly into my mouth in the Green Room.Halfway through the contest, in mid-December, we were voted off — exactly 12 months to the day since my mammogram. Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141

The figurine - Victoria Hislop The figurine - Victoria Hislop

Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Hislop’s love for Greece shines and transports readers through space and time to a brilliantly drawn world” I found the novel very long for what it was, throughout you are teased something bad is going to happen but it never really does. At the writing is flat and the characters did not come to life for me, in the same way Greece does, with clear ‘baddies’ and ‘goodies’ and not much in between which left the writing feel quite childish. Which was a shame given the important point I believe the author was trying to make. Chasing Aphrodite – The Hunt for Looted Looted Antiquities at the World’s Richest Museum – Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino

Penny followed by asking Hislop about the mysteries in The Figurine: ‘And in your book, I think I'm right in saying, most of your books, there's a secret waiting to be told?’ There is no doubting Victoria Hislop is an incredible storyteller who has opened up the history of Greece to a wider contemporary world; her attention to detail and the creation of warm and sympathetic characters instantly grabs readers' Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Figurine by Victoria Hislop | Hachette UK The Figurine by Victoria Hislop | Hachette UK

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. So when I saw Victoria’s latest book I was interested to see if I would enjoy just as much, given I normally don’t read books of this genre. So thank you for giving me the chance to this ARC This was a wonderful read . . . a vivid picture of Greece and the people who live there' Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐It is the wanton destruction of Greece's history, the looting of incredibly important artefacts to satisfy the whims of the wealthy are really brought home and Helena's bravery and courage in facing up to the sins of her own family, and her determination to bring justice is perfectly portrayed. When I was asked, at first I hesitated. I was so low, I could barely get out of bed. I had scars from my operation. I ached all over. I felt nearer 90 than 60. But after giving myself a good talking to, I agreed — and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Those Who Are Loved, published in 2019, tells the story of Greece’s traumatic period of occupation and civil war during the 20 th century. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Victoria Hislop and she manages to keep that record intact. Once again I can highly recommend a Victoria Hislop read. Ladies and gentleman, we have a new rival. The Figurine is up there with it. Like with all Hislop's books, they are set in Greece, and you can see the love Hislop has for the country. The way she describes the richly detailed scenes, the language she uses and the Greek words she inserts into the dialogue (but always followed with the English so you can understand easily), gives the book real authenticity and readers will feel like they are there.