The House by the River

The first novel by acclaimed Greek writer Lena Manta to appear in English translation, The House by the River is an intimate, emotionally powerful saga following five young women as they realize that no matter the men they choose, the careers they pursue, or the children they raise, the only constant is home. Theodora knows she cant keep her five beautiful daughters at home forevertheyre too curious, too free spirited, too like their late father. And so, before each girl leaves the small house on the riverside at the foot of Mount Olympus, Theodora makes sure they know they are always welcome to return. A devoted and resilient mother, Theodora has lived through World War II, through the Nazi occupation of Greece, and through her husbands death, and now she endures the twenty-year-long silence of her daughters absence. Her children have their own livestheyve married, traveled the world, and courted romance, fame, and even tragedy. But as they become modern, independent women in pursuit of their dreams, Theodora knows they need herand each othermore than ever. Have they grown so far apart that theyve forgotten their childhood house in its tiny village, or will their broken hearts finally lead them home?