The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean-scented air in the engrossing novel from the much-loved author

Product Information

When in 1894 John and Henry decide to write a revolutionary book together, intended to challenge convention and the law, they are both caught in relationships stalked by guilt and shame. Yet they share a vision of a better world, one that will expand possibilities for men and women everywhere. Written by Victoria Hislop, illustrated by Gill Smith and published by Walker Books, Maria’s Island is a compelling story for KS2 and KS3 students which follows a family impacted by leprosy, a disease which is often misunderstood. Victoria continued: “I love The Figurine very much. Beneath the surface is a very passionate view I have that we shouldn't half inch things from other countries and then put them in our museums and say, ‘aren't we marvellous? This is ours, come and have a look’, because many of the things that we have in our museums are not ours.” Victoria’s first book for children, Maria’s Island (listed by Waterstones as one of the best children’s books of the year) was also published in 2020 – and is an adaptation of The Island for a younger audience .

The figurine - Victoria Hislop The figurine - Victoria Hislop

It's 1990 in London and Tom Hargreaves has it all: a burgeoning career as a reporter, fierce ambition and a brisk disregard for the 'peasants' - ordinary people, his readers, easy tabloid fodder. His star looks set to rise when he stumbles across a scoop: a dead child on a London estate, grieving parents loved across the neighbourhood, and the finger of suspicion pointing at one reclusive family of Irish immigrants and 'bad apples': the Greens. Victoria Hislop has done it again! A truly captivating story . . . I wish I could give it more than 5*' Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I loved the story of Helena, how she grows to love her Greek heritage, her life at University in the 1980s which truth be told actually reminded me a bit of my time studying in the same time frame! Her grief was all too apparent. ‘It’s been a terrible, terrible time,’ said Annabel Croft recently, reflecting on the five months that have passed since the death of her beloved husband, Mel Coleman, aged 60, just weeks after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.Her return to Greece and her inheritance of the apartment leading to her subsequent discoveries was a great finale to the book. The characters were all well rounded, particularly Helena and her family and of course her Greek friends. The historical detail was incredibly interesting- I knew so little about this period in Greek history and now I feel I know a bit more about these turbulent times. Our move to Latin dances saw sparks begin to fly — not with passion! — between handsome Tilemachos and me. He expected me to make very fast progress and one day told me to do the splits.

The Figurine: Escape to Athens and breathe in the Aegean

Along the way, she falls in love with the narrow streets of Athens and the city’s big-hearted residents, who show her the murky underbelly of the antiques world – and help her understand the meaning of home. But can she finally make amends for her grandfather’s actions? And what price should be paid for the return of such ancient and beautiful artefacts? Thanks also to The Pigeonhole for hosting an online group read, released in ten daily staves, which allowed me to share my thoughts about this novel with my fellow Pigeons. Victoria Hislop studied English Literature at Oxford University and afterwards worked in book publishing, PR and journalism. During her time as a journalist, she wrote on education and travel for national newspapers and magazines and was sent on assignments around the world. She is an ambassador for Lepra, a UK charity that raises money to treat the estimated three million leprosy sufferers worldwide, and is also an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust which promotes reading in the UK. Victoria is Patron of Knossos 2025 which is raising funds to renew the British School of Athens research centre in Crete.The figurine of the title and cover is a Cycladic statuette from the Bronze Age. These examples of ancient art have an air of mystery that captures the imagination. As a result they are highly sought after by collectors and looters alike. Finally, after both her grandparents’ deaths she visits Greece with her parents and learns more about Greek history from her mother and then some other heartbreaking news. 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. One of the qualities that shines in her books, is Hislop's ability to weave incredible amounts of research into the story, and with such clear explanations that never alienates her readers. The field of archaeology in The Figurine is advanced, but Hislop just made me fascinated and wanting to learn more.