Cartes Postales from Greece: The runaway Sunday Times bestseller Hardcover – 22 Sept. 2016

So bored I skipped to the end after a few of the stories.I have loved every other book but this one just felt like a collection of plot ideas the author had had but didn't develop into novels. I didn't like the way many of them left unanswered questions and especially the one about the girl going back to her family's village made me actually think there were pages missing.As mentioned before the formatting for kindle is completely wrong and adds to the frustration of reading. I'm not sure why the Greek words are in a tiny font, it seemed patronising that the reader needed a foreign word highlighting to them.Total disappointment and not a novel of her usual high standard, in fact not a novel at all.

An excuse for stringing together some short stories -terrible plot. My friends who have read her other books were very disappointed and say that the other books are better,. But this is my first Hislop book and I'm not motivated to read more. Life its too short and there are too many good books out there.

Wish I had read the reviews more before buying this book Very very disappointing. I have loved all this authors books and bought this one without hesitation. Bad mistake and a waste of money. It is like a travel book for Greece. Was the author commissioned by the Greek Tourist board? It certainly seems that way.

Bought this for my wife after a trip to Greece as I thought she would enjoy it but she responded after reading it with a “meh”. Apparently, she said that it was a bit boring and that the storyline(s) were a bit weak and predictable. She did actually finish the book but she’s sent it off to the charity shop now instead of keeping it on the shelf for a future re-read. Nice front cover though!

The first time I starting reading a Victoria Hislop book I nearly abandoned it, but I am glad that I did not. The beginnings have a different style, as if written by a different person. I never enjoy her beginnings but once she has set the scene and the characters and gets on with the story her books are so immersive. You believe that you are in the time and place she is writing about and I share her love of Greece which adds to my enjoyment.

I have read all of Victoria Hislop's previous novels and thoroughly enjoyed them, Therefore, I was really looking forward to reading Cartes Postales from Greece.However, I found this one somewhat disappointing, It's more of a travelogue - interspersed with a series of short stories (which for the most part consisted of tales of Ancient Greece). Although it was interesting - to me, there didn't seem to be any real story line. The ending was somewhat abrupt - almost as though she couldn't wait to finish it!

At first, I found this book a bit unusual in its lay-out. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Intrigued, I persevered. I enjoyed most of the stories but some were a bit obscure like the one related by Ariadne about the birds; father and son. Unless the reader knows a bit about Greek mythology it would leave him/her a bit lost. The book fell into place eventually but I had to concentrate quite hard to follow the different stories in each chapter as they seemed to be quite random.

I love VH’s novels but was so disappointed with this. It’s advertised around the mystery of the postcards but in fact that is just a clumsy contrived device that isn’t actually developed.Thus book is in fact a collection of short stories, apocryphal tales and local legends. Some interesting, others ridiculous. Interspersed with a basic commentary on Greek politics and economy.Such a shame that she didn’t develop anything into a proper story.

The Short Stories, that are told within a story, are wonderful. Heartwarming. Critical (politically). You learn about history, and as well some greek words and expressions - such as "Mia Fora Kai Ena Kairo" - translation of "Once Upon A Time". I wished, some stories would never end. My favourite: the one of Ikaria (maybe because I will be there in a few weeks ;-) )

En definitiva la novela te lleva de viaje por Grecia, te cuenta historias relacionadas con los lugares que visita el protagonista y comparte reflexiones más íntimas. Entretenida

a wonderful book for Victoria Hislop fans. written in a unique style with fascinating illustrations

Very different to what Victoria normally writes, but very well written as usual. She really is a good read.

Quite a dry tale

Das Buch wird als Roman gehandelt, ist in Wirklichkeit aber nur eine Sammlung von Kurzgeschichten, die locker durch eine Rahmenhandlung zusammen gehalten werden.Kurzum ein Fake, bei dem die Enttäuschung vorprogrammiert ist.

Stories within stories that wind their way around the country – charming, thoughtful, wistful and melancholic at times too.Ellie is living up in North London where life and work are pretty humdrum but many of her days are brightened when week in, week out postcards pop through her letterbox, addressed not to her but to S Ibbotson, and signed “A”. Colourful and varied they chart one person’s progress through the Greek Islands, and they just keep coming. Ellie builds a montage of the bright and colourful images, a tantalising glimpse of the vast and varied beauty of the islands of Greece. Tempted to visit, she finds herself boarding a plane to Athens but just just as she departs, a journal arrives detailing the Greek odyssey of the sender of the eponymous postcards.More stories follow on from the first, set all around the islands and at different time periods – one tale is of two brothers who are pitched against each other in modern day gladiatorial fashion by their father, each has to build up a hotel and whichever is most successful will inherit their father’s hotel conglomerate. But things do not go smoothly – the story sets the scene for the boom in tourism in the latter half of the 20th Century. Or the salutary story of Pelagia, innocently sweeping and cleaning in her local church, unaware of the effect she has on the (male) congregation.There is everyday life, past and present, mixed with Greek mythology and mystery. A story about Vyronas – the poet Byron – who also ended up in the country and died in Missolonghi in 1824, leaving a town that “will always be in mourning for its past”….Man on a MountainTop tells the story of two brothers, the priesthood and Mount Athos (where incidentally women and female animals are banned) a reworked mythological tale of two brothers, evocatively told. We also learn in another tale why some Greeks don’t plan anything of the least importance on a Tuesday (this was the day of the week on which Constantinople, the most significant place in Christendom, fell to the Turks).The keeper of the diary says “I almost run out of words to describe the beauty of this country“.. a country of extremes, beautiful and monstrous edifices positioned side by side, seemingly beautiful landscapes, rugged terrains and people, who are welcoming and hospitable (for the most part!). This book will certainly boost tourism to the country and help with the economy that so sadly has made headline news over the last fews years, for all the wrong reasons.The book is a wonderful piece of artistry, the photos are unusual, of mundane situations and often colourfully worked compositions (taken by the very talented Alexandros Kakolyris) and it is just a wonderful item to hold in one’s hand. A delight both in terms of reading and the opportunity to see a place through the eyes of an author.

Have read and loved all of Victoria's books but found this one not as great. The short stories weren't very interesting or captivating. However I will still seek out more of her books as over all I enjoy her books. Thought The Island was one of her best!

I have really enjoyed all her other books, but I found my self bored and wishing it would end. The ending is also so predictable and a cliche...

It was ok but not earth shattering. Being if Greek origin I completed the book but.....Sorry I can't give a more positive opinion.

I really enjoyed the anecdotes of each place visited. Having spent a lot of time in Greece it captured the essence of the people and country.I was disappointed in the ending which seemed to fall a bit flat.

OK but no where near as good as her previous books. The travel side of it was great but the story was obvious.

Wasn't very interesting in the beginning. Nicer towards the end.

Very interesting description of Grrece. Alsothe stories were unique and very nicely blended with the story

This book was disappointing ,lots of stories around the post cards but no central story to catch your interest.A pity as I enjoyed all her other books.