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jcp1009's review
5.0
I finally read this book and it was everything I was expecting. A compelling story and richly drawn characters that pulled me in right from the beginning.
s_hay's review
3.0
The first half of this book was very meh. The second half was great, though I wish the author had gone more into the history of other characters as well.
madfoot's review
4.0
I'm turning this book over and over in my mind. Looking at the cover and the author, I was like "I will love every page of this book," and indeed, the entire first chapter had me shaking my head and chuckling because this guy was so familiar. Frustrating! Narcissistic! Ugh! But funny!
The story unfolds from there and I got a little lost. Everyone's story was interesting, but I had trouble keeping it all together. Ah, you know what the book is like? It's like fillo dough, it's layers and layers with soft butter making it stick together here, flaking apart there. The timeline swooped back and forth between the present day and the past, America and Greece, this character's POV and that, so that you started to put together what made them all so goddamn crazy. But to be honest, I never really broke through to the version of Stavros that the author wanted me to arrive at. I still think he's an asshole.
But Stavrula, man, she is the heart of the book. There's a scene where her friend reaches over and rubs the little shaved parts of her hair affectionately, and when I saw the author's photo, there they were (I have them too) and I had the urge to run my finger over them as the character did. Of all the daughters and wives she was the most vivid and welcoming. Everyone else did something offputting, which I guess was the point. Stavrula was offputting too -- jeez, rein it in, sister! -- but you know, Greeks! Armenians! Jews! All cut from very similar cloth, says the Armenian Jew who should have "offputting" as her middle name.
I've also been on a Greek-food kick since reading this, predictably, so be forewarned: salty cheesy goodness is in your future.
All in all, it's a very worthy read.
The story unfolds from there and I got a little lost. Everyone's story was interesting, but I had trouble keeping it all together. Ah, you know what the book is like? It's like fillo dough, it's layers and layers with soft butter making it stick together here, flaking apart there. The timeline swooped back and forth between the present day and the past, America and Greece, this character's POV and that, so that you started to put together what made them all so goddamn crazy. But to be honest, I never really broke through to the version of Stavros that the author wanted me to arrive at. I still think he's an asshole.
But Stavrula, man, she is the heart of the book. There's a scene where her friend reaches over and rubs the little shaved parts of her hair affectionately, and when I saw the author's photo, there they were (I have them too) and I had the urge to run my finger over them as the character did. Of all the daughters and wives she was the most vivid and welcoming. Everyone else did something offputting, which I guess was the point. Stavrula was offputting too -- jeez, rein it in, sister! -- but you know, Greeks! Armenians! Jews! All cut from very similar cloth, says the Armenian Jew who should have "offputting" as her middle name.
I've also been on a Greek-food kick since reading this, predictably, so be forewarned: salty cheesy goodness is in your future.
All in all, it's a very worthy read.
leahlibrarian's review
4.0
I think there is some cultural misunderstanding in the reading of this book. It focuses on the modern Greek immigrant experience for one family and it was described as a rollicking good and funny read but I did not read it that way. I had trouble not feeling sorry for the main character or being put off by all the anger of the other characters. That being said, Marina was my favorite of the story.
thegothiclibrary's review
3.0
Very well-written, though not at all the type of book I would ordinarily pick up.
Other reviews and blurbs seem to consider this a funny book, but I don't really remember laughing that much while I read it.
Essentially, Let Me Explain You tells the story of a dysfunctional family of Greek immigrants. The patriarch, Stavros Stavros "Steve" Mavrakis has a dream and becomes convinced that he is going to die in ten days. He sends a condescending email out to his most recent ex-wife and three daughters with his last requests for them. At first his friends and family ignore his melodramatic professions of death, but as the book goes on, his two oldest daughters, Stavroula and Litza, begin to examine their relationship with their father more closely.
The story is told mostly from the alternating perspecives of Stavros, Stavroula, and Litza. The middle third of the book involves flashbacks to Stavros' childhood in Greece and early life in America, including chapters from the perspective of his first wife. Every few chapters counts down from Day 10 to Day 1--the day of Stavros' predicted death. Each day is associated with one of the five stages of grief. There are also random interludes of poem-like prose that seem to reflect the voices of various characters.
Other reviews and blurbs seem to consider this a funny book, but I don't really remember laughing that much while I read it.
Essentially, Let Me Explain You tells the story of a dysfunctional family of Greek immigrants. The patriarch, Stavros Stavros "Steve" Mavrakis has a dream and becomes convinced that he is going to die in ten days. He sends a condescending email out to his most recent ex-wife and three daughters with his last requests for them. At first his friends and family ignore his melodramatic professions of death, but as the book goes on, his two oldest daughters, Stavroula and Litza, begin to examine their relationship with their father more closely.
The story is told mostly from the alternating perspecives of Stavros, Stavroula, and Litza. The middle third of the book involves flashbacks to Stavros' childhood in Greece and early life in America, including chapters from the perspective of his first wife. Every few chapters counts down from Day 10 to Day 1--the day of Stavros' predicted death. Each day is associated with one of the five stages of grief. There are also random interludes of poem-like prose that seem to reflect the voices of various characters.
cadrimile's review
2.0
I guess I expected more?
It started off well, very laugh out loud funny, witty, but ultimately, I feel like there was just SO much packed into the plot that I never really got to know any of the characters well. This definitely felt, at first, like a character driven novel, but I didn't really understand them--their motives, their relationships, and especially what seemed to divide them as a family. This just felt like it was trying to be something it wasn't ever going to be.
It started off well, very laugh out loud funny, witty, but ultimately, I feel like there was just SO much packed into the plot that I never really got to know any of the characters well. This definitely felt, at first, like a character driven novel, but I didn't really understand them--their motives, their relationships, and especially what seemed to divide them as a family. This just felt like it was trying to be something it wasn't ever going to be.
jrys's review
3.0
It will make you question upon finishing this, what could a letter do with your life? I guess, if we are not open to any possibilities in our life, we would definitely live in regret. One of them is finishing this. I'm glad I have read up until the end.
aniaterr's review
4.0
Some parts were more captivating than others but overall an interesting story. Some really intense events were kind of minimized which was confusing but maybe that was to be a metaphor as to why the characters are the way they are???? I loled at few parts which never happens and some beautiful lines throughout the story. I did not see the ending coming. Surprised that this is the authors first novel- a success!!!
jesscoil's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
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