The Making of Mrs Petrakis: a novel of one family and two countries

The Making Of Mrs. Petrakis is a 2021 novel by Ruth Hogan that tells the story of Maria Petrakis, a Greek Cypriot woman who flees a brutal marriage and opens a bakery on Green Lanes in Harringay, London. The novel explores themes of love, life, family, and baking, and provides glimpses into the lives of Maria's neighbors, friends, and customers. It is a heart-warming and heart-breaking story of motherhood and love, and of healing through the humble act of baking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: John Murray Press

An evocative blend of history, food, and storytelling, "The Making of Mrs. Petrakis" has been recognized as the Evening Standard's Best Fiction 2021. This heart-warming, heart-breaking tale delves into the realms of love, life, family, and, of course, baking. Set against the backdrop of the civil war in Cyprus in the 1970s, the novel captures the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that pervaded the island. War, a terrible reality, looms large, casting a shadow over the lives of its inhabitants. Despite the adversities, they strive to make the best of their circumstances, forging friendships, falling in love, and starting families. However, Maria Petrakis, driven by the desire for a new beginning, flees a brutal marriage on the island and embarks on a journey to London, seeking solace and a fresh start. In London, she opens a bakery on Green Lanes in Harringay, the heart of the small Greek Cypriot community. Here, she finds herself coming into her own, using the kneading of bread and the selling of shamali cakes and cinnamon pastries to heal and atone. Through the lives of her neighbors, friends, and customers, the novel offers glimpses into their joys, sorrows, and complexities. Mrs. Koutsouli, whose heart was shattered when her handsome son married a xenia, an English woman with fish-eyes and yellow hair, Mrs. Pantelis, consumed by grief after losing her son in the war, and Mrs. Vasili, who claims a familial connection to Nana Mouskouri and grows her hair upwards in reverence to God, are just a few of the characters who populate the narrative. Additionally, "The Making of Mrs. Petrakis" explores the challenges faced by women, particularly in the context of limited choices and the repression and mental illness that can wreak havoc on their lives. The novel sheds light on the devastation caused by these societal pressures and the resilience of the human spirit. Above all, "The Making of Mrs. Petrakis" is a captivating story that will leave readers deeply moved and inspired. Ruth Hogan's masterful storytelling and vivid portrayal of characters make this novel a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of literature to transport, enlighten, and resonate with readers.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529344950