Harlequin Presents Readers discussion
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Markonos bride - Andreas crazy?
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Humans are still a violent species. It has nothing to do with class, community or country. Andreas was also grieving for his dead baby. But I think he was in a happier space after things get sorted out with his wife. It was probably metaphorical. This book made me weep. The story remained in my head for a long time afterwards.
It was such a poignant, beautiful story!
"especially those involving families, possessions, and property. I had not realized before how violent those could become. "What??? This is your first time (and spending a two week holiday in a country does not give you an insight into anything, btw. A little intellectual modesty goes a long way) realising these things can turn violent? And you live in LA? Where domestic disputes frequently end in blood baths? With babies and neighbours dead? I advise you to learn more about the very real violence of the place where you live first before you draw entirely wrong conclusions from what you happen to read (which can be bad fiction or bad sociology) during a two week holiday. I recommend that you start by watching your local news. Or am I misinterpreting your gun loving and extremely violent culture in the USA?
Have not read this book but from what Leena says I think I will.
I read the book and loved it. I don't remember the comment about spilling blood. I will have to go look for it, but I never thought he would harm his family, He was angry at their deception, but not violent.
I also don't agree with the comment about Greek vendettas. I know that land matters very much and that passions can run high, but violence is not usually the way things are solved in Greece. I'm Greek American and have spent a lot of time there. I also own property that I've inherited and have been fighting for (legally) in the courts for over a year.
Though as an American, I would just love to go over there and beat the living daylights out of the worthless squatter, I won't. Instead, I'll do it the Greek way. :D
I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense. I spent two weeks in Crete with the same guide, a Crete native. She actually told us about Greek vendettas still being active in Crete and a source of problem for the local governments. This is the only place in Greece, she tells us, in which guns are still commonly owned, the rest of Greece long since giving up weapons (except for once a year for the sole purpose of hunting). For those of you who are Greek or Greek-Americans perhaps you can comment on whether her commentary about this is accurate. She says that ownership of property is an important part of their culture, and can be a source of multi generation violence that includes use of weapons in past times, but still currently occurring in Crete. It wasn't my intention to make generalizations, although I can see it is interpreted that way here. Everyone, have a Chardonnay and relax!
Here is a direct quote from the book:‘You don’t want to see blood spilt and I do. So I will make a deal with you.’ ‘
What kind of deal?’
'Be my wife again, in every sense, and I will attempt to control my desire to spill blood.’
Here's another quote: ‘Because it isn’t just about the pregnancy now. I want more than that.’ He ignored her sarcasm. ‘I want my lost five years back.’
Her folded arms tightened. ‘You can’t have them back, Andreas.’
"Then someone has to pay for their loss.’
'Oh, stop being so disgustingly primitive,’ she snapped crossly. ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—I thought it was the Greeks who pulled the rest of us out of the Dark Ages!’
He smiled at that. ‘Quick,’ he commended. ‘But you will not change my mind. You come back to me or our two families will pay the price.’
Hi Ana, I had my chardonnay and I am relaxed. Actually, I took no offense to what you said, I just felt compelled to explain. Cretans are a different breed. (Just kidding, don't anyone take offense.) But seriously, the Cretans are tough, fierce and proud. Their strength and fortitude went a very long way in helping the Allies win the second world war because they had a strong underground resistance. I can't comment about their feelings towards vendettas, but they are a proud people.
Land means everything to the Greeks. Greece was under Turkish occupation for 500 years and they had to give up their rights to their land. So they are fierce about keeping it in their families and they will fight for it. In Greece, Land is actually passed equitably to the families even without a will. Unlike other countries, where one can "will" a piece of land to one child and forget the other, you can't do that in Greece. That's how important it is.
Now back to your original question about Andreas. I went back and reread the book. I did not take his "spilled blood" comment literally. I felt it was meant to be taken more as a metaphor and that he would hit them where it hurt most - financially. We would use the metaphor "mop the sidewalks with them". I never thought for a moment that he would draw physical blood. We get a hint of this when he starts to lay the framework with her boss, who he thinks was her lover.
I am interpreting this book (and other all the other HPs I have read involving a Greek hero) in a different light after having spent two weeks in Greece and learning about Greek culture. One of the things I have greater insight into is the Greek vendetta, especially those involving families, possessions, and property. I had not realized before how violent those could become.