Historical Gothic novel set in VENICE
Novel set on AGISTRI, Greece
2nd May 2025
Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell, novel set on Agistri, Greece.
Kat has just lost her twin brother, Nik, and she is recuperating at home with her family.
Then the news arrives that she and Nik (and now, of course, it is only Kat) are set to inherit an estate on Agistri in Greece. It was the home of her mother’s estranged brother, of whom Kat had no knowledge. This is, of course, an all round shock for everyone. Her parents have cosseted her, over functioned in ‘typical’ Greek manner but perhaps stifled her too, and Jamie – her soon-to-be-ex-husband – is still buzzing around, keen to be in on the action.
Given her recent loss and her growing understanding that she has to escape the cloying environment, she opts to head for Agístiri, where the property is situated. She has decided on a sabbatical from work and will devote herself to the renovation project. Her boss is supportive and keen she should send a written journal back to her work, recording the renovations, her responses and her feelings as the project evolves – sharing what life is like on the Greek island.
From the get-go at the airport, she is dogged by a young man with incredibly smart, elegant shoes and linen ensemble, all the way from London – Andreas turns out to be her neighbour on the island. He is also a very good looking man, living in quite some luxury. They spar initially and flounce about and subsequently agree that they have been unpleasant to each when they reflect on the early days of their acquaintanceship. She discovers through him that her brother came to visit their uncle, unbeknownst to her, which is shocking. What other secrets could there be? Andreas himself also has a secret or two and thus complex neighbourly relations ensue.
The eponymous lemon tree of the title grows in the grounds of the little house, almost as though the house had been built around this tree that produces “Golden Apples” (in Greek Mythology, ‘golden apples’ were often associated with the Garden of Hesperides and thought to have been more likely lemons). The lemons are used to flavour some of the dishes that are made in Kat’s home and throughout the novel there are references to mouthwatering Greek dishes, and at the end there is a recipe for Lemonópita.
The setting is delightfully conjured up and the narrative is peppered with Greek words and wonderful food to really set the tone. A couple of trips to the neighbouring island of Aegina added a a nice diversion. I couldn’t altogether buy into the reasoning behind various secrets, especially where Kat’s mother is concerned; and Jamie, the ex, as a presence felt a bit superfluous. But those are minor quibbles, and overall this is a fabulous read that transports the reader to Greece. The author is certainly giving Victoria Hislop a run for her money! I really enjoyed my ‘trip’ to Agistri.
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