Victoria Hislop is the multi-million copy bestselling author of ten books, including The Island, The Return, The Thread, The Sunrise, Those Who are Loved, The Last Dance and Other Stories, Cartes Postales from Greece and One August Night and The Figurine. Her books have been translated into forty languages
Victoria’s new novel The Wine-Dark Sea was published in September.
The Wine-Dark Sea
Greece, 1946. In the power vacuum remaining after the Second World War, a brutal civil war erupts between rival left- and right-wing factions. The conflict spirals as the country pays a bitter price in human lives and fighting soon erupts in the mountains, turning villages into battlefields and pulling ordinary women and children into the fray.
When the government soldiers come to Kalopetra, Fotini is nursing her newborn second child. She urges her daughter, Iliana, to hide with the older children as she and the other women are herded into trucks. Weeks later, soldiers return for the children . . . but they are not to be reunited with their mothers, a wholly different fate awaits them.
Fotini finds herself transported to a prison on the island of Chios, where she befriends Markella, whose little son, Nikos, is wise beyond his years. After months of imprisonment, when Fotini and Markella find themselves separated from one another – and from Nikos – Fotini vows to hunt not only for her own child but for Markella’s too.
The Wine-Dark Sea tells of families flung apart across continents and of a strong, determined mother who resolves not to let war destroy hers.
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The Wine-Dark Sea
The Wine-Dark Sea explores the turbulence of the post-war era in Greece in this unforgettable and riveting new novel that will delight those fans who cherish The Island and The Figurine.
During three years of brutal civil war in Greece, thousands of children were caught in the chaos that swept across the country. Huge numbers were orphaned, many found themselves imprisoned alongside their mothers and others were left to fend for themselves. The Wine-Dark Sea follows the travails of a mother, searching for both a daughter who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain and a boy who, unbeknown to her, has been sold into adoption.
Praise for The Wine-Dark Sea
A stunning new story from the bestselling author of The Island. Set in post-civil war Greece, it follows Fontini – a mother who loses both her children and is imprisoned. Once released, she is determined to find them. A powerful, historical story inspired by real events.
– Prima Magazine
In this deeply moving story, set against the turmoil of post-war Greece, a mother desperately searches for her two missing children: a daughter abducted and a son sold into adoption.
– My Weekly
Thought provoking,’ says Carol Glenn. Greece in 1946, as civil war engulfs the nation, Fotini is torn from her children when soldiers raid her village. Imprisoned on Chios, she befriends fellow captive Markella. Determined war won’t destroy her family, Fotini vows to find her child and Markella’s son too.
– Yours Magazine
A dramatic saga set in the 1940s Greek Civil War. Along with her baby son, Fotini is captured and imprisoned by the Hellenic Army. Her daughter has hidden, only to be taken by communists. Will Fotini find her daughter and a friend’s son, sold into forced adoption? A superb page-turner that brings history to life.
– Woman & Home
Life is simple for Fotini and her family in the mountain hamlet of Kalopetra – until the Greek War tears things apart. Government soldiers haul Fotini and her newborn son to a detention centre, then to a jail on Chios island. Her daughter, Iliana, hides with other children but is captured weeks later and sent elsewhere. Fotini refuses to give up hope of seeing her again. But with war raging, will they ever be reunited? A powerful story of war, separation and motherhood.
– The Sun
In 1946 Greece, as Fotini nurses her newborn son, her country is spinning into civil war. Soon she is separated from her daughter and imprisoned. Hislop brings to life a horrifying, little-known chapter of Greek history.
– i Paper
The author of the 6-million-selling The Island is back with her 10th novel – and it’s as meticulously researched and richly atmospheric as you would expect. WW2 is over, but a brutal civil war is just beginning in Greece. When she is separated from her daughter, Fotini promises to find her again.
– Fabulous Magazine
Recent News
Selected Novels
Here's Victoria at the Cranbrook Literature Festival in Kent, where she was talking about her latest novel The Wine-Dark Sea. ...
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A big hello to everyone who has made it to one of Victoria's events to discuss the events behind her new novel The Wine Dark Sea.
Hands up if you were there! ✨ ...
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Victoria says: "Hugely enjoying my book tour with The Wine-Dark Sea. Many, many highlights including this moment at Linghams. Very special women - but some memorable men too!” ...
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