Facing Athens : Encounters with the Modern City

Rating:
Summary: Sour Grapes
Review: "Facing Athens" has the feel of sour grapes: much to do with the author's experiences and interpretations and little to do with the modern city. Certainly no major metropolis is without its share of problems, but the thoughtful reader requires something beyond anecdotal evidence in support of a pre-determined agenda. I, for one, got the impression that the book was an angry "letter" to the author's estranged father. All well and good for a diary, but not for a book that purports to be an expose of a major European city. It is telling that not one footnote or authoritative source may found in its pages. For those among us seeking poetry or lyrical writing, I recommend Pablo Neruda for the former (five stars) and Nikos Kazantzakis for the latter (five stars).

Rating:
Summary: Bitter Homecoming
Review: "Facing Athens" is a personal account of the author's homecoming. Greek history, culture, politics, and society are covered in broad strokes in this short book. Although journalistic training and principles are implied, there is little evidence of objectivity or insight to be found in its pages. Apparently the only saving grace of Athens are the wild poppies growing on the Acropolis. The author's mindset is such that it does not even allow him to be non-judgmental about a traditional Easter meal of lamb. He says "here is no lamb chop neatly packed in a white Styrofoam tray under fluorescent light, or some rack of lamb adorned with sprigs of rosemary at a fancy restaurant. Here is what you get when you take a young sheep, slit its throat, peel its skin back, cut off its front legs, rip out its guts, and push a long metal rod through its (...) and out its skull. What is left is not only a piece of meat but a record of dying." "Facing Athens" is riddled with similar descriptions and perceptions. In consequence, not much credence can be placed on the author's claim that Greek society is racist and that Greek soccer fans act like Nazis. This book is thinly disguised vitriol. One wonders then why the author really kept going back to Athens.

Rating:
Summary: A Greek tragedy in writing...
Review: As someone who visits Athens regularly and sees the problems the city faces, I was shocked at how little the author did to try and understand why the city is as it is and found it amusing that the authour was happy to criticise but never attaempted to give a better way of doing things. I was even more amazed that it pointed to none of the city's virtues. It seems as if the sorry authour had determined what he was going to write on the flight over and then went actively looking for it while there. As some of the other reviewers rightly said, it seems like a bitter man's attempt at getting back at his father or fighting his inner demons. A truly awful attempt at journalistic writing.

Rating:
Summary: Of the moment
Review: Facing Athens is beautifully written and stylistically original. You needn't be Greek or planning a visit to the country to appreciate Sarrinikolaou's heartfelt and honest perspective of his experience as an immigrant. This work echos with truths applicable to any growing city and any individual who seeks refuge by crossing borders. It is also a tale of a man coming of age as he faces childhood demons. We learn that as an immigrant he is someone on the outside always looking in, and I found this aspect particularly courageous. I only hope that he tells the flip side of the story in a sequel: what was it like to arrive in America with very little, to begin a new life.

Rating:
Summary: Of the moment
Review: Facing Athens is beautifully written and stylistically original. You needn't be Greek or planning a visit to the country to appreciate Sarrinikolaou's heartfelt and honest perspective of his experience as an immigrant. This work echos with truths applicable to any growing city and any individual who seeks refuge by crossing borders. It is also a tale of a man coming of age as he faces childhood demons. We learn that as an immigrant he is someone on the outside always looking in, and I found this aspect particularly courageous. I only hope that he tells the flip side of the story in a sequel: what was it like to arrive in America with very little, to begin a new life.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and important book
Review: Here is an extraordinary book. The world may turn its attention away from Athens now that the Olympics are over, but the problems with which the city must grapple are still there. And the author is fearless in taking them on, showing us aspects of the city that rarely get attention. Some readers may not want to look. But then not everyone loves a place as much as this author seems to.

Rating:
Summary: More Like Facing My Family History
Review: I am in complete agreement with the negative reviews here. This book could be about ANY large urban area. This author doesn't need a trip to his place of birth. He needs years of therapy.

Rating:
Summary: A gem of a book
Review: I live in Athens and I can tell you that Sarrinikolaou gets the city just right. I think that readers who have written negative reviews of this book are unfortunately letting a flawed patriotism affect their judgement. This book takes up problems of this city that get talked about on TV and radio in Greece and by many, many Greeks. But the author writes about these problems very movingly, with great care and affection. Read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and Important
Review: I've never been to Athens, but reading this book made me want to visit the city. The author handles complex issues with sensitivity and insight, his descriptions are vivid, and his recollections are touching. I didn't find the book to be negative in tone - contemplative, yes, but certainly not heavy. The text is engaging, and there are a number of observations that you'll want to pause for a moment or two to ponder. While this book clearly wasn't intended as a "travel guide" per se, I would strongly recommend it to anyone planning to go to Greece - it provides an extra layer of nuance that will enhance your experience.

Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking and compelling.
Review: I've never been to Athens, but reading this book made me want to visit the city. The author handles complex issues with sensitivity and insight, his descriptions are vivid, and his recollections are touching. I didn't find the book to be negative in tone - contemplative, yes, but certainly not heavy. The text is engaging, and there are a number of observations that you'll want to pause for a moment or two to ponder. While this book clearly wasn't intended as a "travel guide" per se, I would strongly recommend it to anyone planning to go to Greece - it provides an extra layer of nuance that will enhance your experience.