The past isn't over yet
928220
In January 2013, Jonathan Argyriou, a Manhattan-born third generation Greek-American, boards a plane in New York for Athens. Jonathan is travelling to Greece to learn more about his family. He was brought up by his grandparents and his alcoholic mother, and he doesnt quite understand the relationship between his grandmothers younger sister and his grandfather. Jonathan converses with his sister, Amalia, imagining she is occupying the empty seat next to him. We thus learn of the tragedies faced by the Argyriou family. Their ruin had begun during the 1922 Greco-Turkish War, when two orphaned sisters, little Erasmia and Frosso, had to flee Smyrna village for Athens. While Erasmia eventually manages to reach America, Frosso does not. By the time the planes reaches Athens, from his soul-searching and brainstorming with his sister, past memories flood back to Jonathan such that he himself recollects a good deal of his ancestry.

As noted on this books cover, Fortini Tsalikoglous novel indeed explores the blurred line between history and memory. While the short length of the novel does not permit detailed character development, the stream-of-consciousness writing style admirably fleshes out the story. Some readers might question Jonathans motive in embarking on such a long journey of discovery; however, it is his psychological frame of mind, muddled by family secrets, that Tsalikoglou portrays as one from which he cannot escape. Similar to Faulkners famous quote, Tsalikoglou notes: The past is never over. It isn't even past. Nevertheless, the narrative is not an easy read, and were it not for the books evocative cover, and the informative flap and back cover text, the plot would take a huge effort to comprehend.

This review first appeared in the HNR magazine issue 73 (August 2015)
4521058
It is the continuation of the lives of two families that are related but living in different time periods. I have been interested to see the similarities as well as the differences that these two families experience. I am waiting on pins and needles for the third volume.
4895896
Trying to put the past behind them was not to be
Skills taught but shouldn't be used
A fight to the death
Could things ever be the same
298014
This story is an intriguing blend of past and present.  thought it started out differently than the original edition, it has morphed into a more intricate story line.  The characters have definitely developed into believable professionals.  You come away wondering what is true and what is not.  have visited this area and there is definitely a feeling....
1631248
Illustrates complexity and simplicity in the contents of life and reminds us that the past isn't as far behind us as we like to think.
1568468
This world is defined by history.  Relics of the past tell of our beginning.  Fables and myths find their way still into our hearts and mind.  Nothing is ever forgotten, and if you learn from days long ago, then the future's chapters will not carry the same weight, red ink of mistakes that continue to haunt us today.  But if history were different, what would the world become, and would we realize that we are living alternate lives?

In Toishan: Book One, we are taken on a journey back to the past but not the history that we know.  We find a new world discovered by a man from far away seas, a man to become a legend, and a man carrying upon his shoulders the weight of the world.  Through his eyes, we see culture, difference, life and beauty, and we know love and hate rolled up into regret and rememberance.  We follow history reborn as myths and fables spring into life, and the future is now written.

In a poetic ballad of words describing men and women, who built the American Railroads, the author, John E. Cashwell spins a story of one man, who saw a world beyond our own.  With every rhyme, with every rhythm, we are swept up into alternate history.  Ghosts of those that changed the world wait to walk with us along the path to the story's end, and history is a stream always changing course.  And as the book comes to a close, life is reflected in discovery and experience, and every moment of our own life is weighed in value.  If our history was different, who would we become, and what would become of this world?
738730
Its possible that my circumstances  being coddled by the woman I loved most in the world  misled me into believing that time could be peeled back.

His father appears at the house of Miss Ona Vitkus who is 104 years old. He is filling in for the Boy Scout duties of his 11 year old son who has passed away. The boys duties to win his badge were simply to help around the house but he was doing so much more. He was making a recording of her life story and she was revealing more than she has ever told anyone. He was helping her to become the oldest person to ever have a drivers license. He was obsessed with world records and helping his new friend to be part of those records had become the obsession of both.  The father, Quinn Porter, is a musician who travels and has not been part of his sons life. Now his time with Ona is his way of making up for what he missed with his son.

Can memory be revisited to allow us to see now what we didn't see then?

The story travels through the past and the present, as we spend time with Ona and the boy and then Ona and Quinn. We meet Belle, the boys mother and explore the broken relationship between the boys father and mother. And we watch the relationships between the survivors grow. Chapters are pieces of the story, time between the boy and Ona, between Quinn and Ona, parts of Onas recordings, and list of the boys favorite world records. But everything in the story revolves around the boy and how his life and death made everyone.

It is rare indeed that I find a novel that is so richly layered, that explores relationships so deeply, and finds so much in the human heart. This is a novel that I treasured reading and that is on my list to reread in the future. I can heartily recommend this story.

This is Miss Ona Viktus. This is her life memories and shards on tape.
3584137
Fast-paced tale skillfully interweaving the past with the present.  More than a true crime story.  More than a memoir.  Insightful -- a good read.
469368
A deep work about memory and the forgotten past.
This story is about a group of people left behind after the World War II.
1843448
This  is  a  book that  will not  be  put down until the last page.
3557805
This is one from back in the day but still has a present day purpose.
2401312
A bit slow here and there but seeing the old with the new made up for it
3212143
Apparently, you don't just pick up after some 20 years right where you left off.  They spend the first half of this fine album finding themselves; the second half is far better.  It sound like the prelude to a much better album, perhaps something legendary, as they were back in the day - hopefully, we won't have to wait another 20 years.
869518
I love thinking that there are caves under Saint Louis that have not been touched by human hands. I love even more that there are caves under Saint Louis that have full ballrooms and swimming pools in them, and have not been touched since the 50's. This book takes you back in time and makes you want to go find these lost caves under the city. It's a shame that the city destroyed most of these treasures when they built an interstate, but who can stop progress. Right.
4658566
There is much here to be pondered the forces around us have not changed in generations
1824743
This book is a look into the future, which can look as if it is happening now. The events written about so long ago can leave the reader either frightened or prepared. The author shares openly about what is revealed to her.
2592379
The characters are wonderful as they try to remember who they are and why they are where they are over time. I won't spoil it though! Enjoy.