"Land of the Golden Apple"
‘Life had lost its sweetness. Socrates felt as if he had eaten the accursed apple and was like Adam, suddenly prone to emotions he had never before experienced - fear, loneliness and shame.’
For Socrates growing up in a small Cypriot village is both idyllic and frustrating. Summer is on the horizon and yet his parents, his teachers and his interfering neighbours seem intent on spoiling his fun. He spends his time setting off homemade fireworks and causing explosions, tormenting local pensioners, spying on his brother’s girlfriends and escaping the clutches of the village policeman on his illegal moped. But his carefree days are numbered as the jasmine-scented breeze mingles with the threat of danger. Behind the façade of respectable island life lurk dark and menacing forces. An abused wife plots revenge on her violent husband and a dangerous predator stalks the innocent.
Eve Makis’ world is a fabulous montage of texture, colour and atmosphere; where light heartedness and comedy go hand-in-hand with sadness and tragedy. Land of the Golden Apple is a bewitching coming-of-age novel about the lives and loves, joys and despairs of a diverse yet tightly-knit community and about how those same ties that bind us can also constrict us.
Publication date: April 2008
"The Mother in Law"
Electra is warm, vivacious, Mediterranean-born and married to Adam, a calm, reasonable Englishman. They say opposites attract but are there some differences that run deeper than cucumber sandwiches vs dolmades, Cyprus vs Acton?
When she discovers she is pregnant Electra is overjoyed but finds herself in a dilemma over how to break the news to her husband. Adam has made it clear that he doesn't want a baby. What he hasn't made so clear in his typically reserved English way, is why he feels as he does. Having lost his own father to Alzheimers, Electra can understand Adam's anxieties over the idea of parenthood but is he giving her the whole picture? When Adam's mother falls ill and moves in with them their relationship reaches breaking point.
The couple are not the only ones wrestling with cultural clashes. Electra's friend Lydia, raising her son alone, finds her efforts to discipline him thwarted by his indulgent Spanish grandmother.
"Eat, Drink and be Married"
Sweet memories, bitter reality? Constantina Papamichael has only three demands of her teenage daughter: to eat, drink and be married.
Although Anna has no problem enjoying the Greek-Cypriot delicacies her mother prepares for her, she is opposed to settling down with a nice boy in a four-bedroom house with a BMW on the driveway. Her plans go beyond working in her family's fish-and-chip shop on a rundown Nottingham council estate, and towards the realms of university life.
Although she isn't allowed the same freedoms as her older brother Andy or her beautiful cousin Athena, Anna has a close ally in her grandmother. As well as encouraging her to follow her heart, Yiayia teaches Anna about her family's heritage, shows her how to tell the future from coffee cups and practise magic in the kitchen.
This bittersweet debut novel tells of Anna's struggle to please her parents yet break free from tradition while growing up as a first generation British Cypriot.
Author Eve Makis writes with authority as, like her heroine, she too grew up in an English takeaway run by her Cypriot parents. The novel benefits from her first-hand knowledge of their native country and its traditions. Her evocative descriptions of the landscape and its jasmine-infused air, which make you understand why her family hold their memories so dear, contrast sharply with the images of the ugly, concrete council estate where they now work.
But the clever balance between heart-warming comic moments and events with dark undertones is what I found most intriguing. The comic rough and tumble of family life is countered by the racism and violence they face. Makis writes with great sensitivity on the issues of arranged marriages, family secrets and even rape. Her observations are consistently sharp and keep you engaged to the uplifting conclusion.
An easy-to-digest and highly enjoyable read.
Daily Express - Terrie Thackery
Latest news
Nottinghamshire Reading Champion
Eve has been appointed a Reading Champion by Nottinghamshire Library Services as part of National Year of Reading 2008 and will be talking at a number of libraries in the county. ...
Added: 11:38 am, 4th September 2008
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Library talk dates
Edwinstowe Library, Wednesday September 24th, 7.30pm
Tuxford Library, Monday October 6th, 7.00pm
Sutton Bonnington Library, Thursday October 23rd, 6.00pm ...
Added: 11:33 am, 4th September 2008
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Lowdham Book Festival
As part of Lowdham Book Festival Eve will be talking about her new book Land of the Golden Apple and the creative influence of her cultural heritage. The talk will be held in the festival marquee (beh ...
Added: 12:51 pm, 21st June 2008
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Eastwood Arts Festival 2008
Author visit with Eve at Eastwood library on Tuesday July 15th, 7.00 - 9.00pm, as part of Eastwood Arts Festival. For more information or to book your ticket call 01773 712209. ...
Added: 11:57 am, 19th June 2008
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A random selection of comments by visitors:
" I very much enjoyed your 2 books, actaully devoured The Motherinlaw in 24 hrs.
Having lived in Cyprus for 4 years it has given me a much better understanding of just why some of the lifestyles that are led by Cypriots actually are the way they are.
What a laugh I had especially at the pessaries for thrush one ............. hilarious !!! Keep writing I am looking forward to your next book ad will order on line. "
Posted by: Kate
5:35 am, 16th March 2008
" A genuine insight into the typical life of a 1st generation British born Cypriot girl. It can even double up as a Greek recipe book with each chapter beginning with the ingredients and instructions for a popular Greek dish! The book is charming and witty and in places totally hilarious. "
Posted by: Anonymous
4:36 am, 8th March 2008
" I was delighted to receive my signed copy of the above novel last Saturday. I
read it in two train journeys to work and back and I enjoyed it immensely. I
especially liked the way the story was told from each character's perspective.
I am so glad I have discovered your books and I shall be buying them for my
greek-cypriot and non-greek-cypriot friends for Christmas. Thanks and I hope you keep publishing your work for the enjoyment of myself and your growing number of fans. "
Posted by: Maria Sack
11:09 am, 30th October 2006
" I started this a couple of days ago then read about the last third of the book sitting up in bed after a coughing fit at 3.30 am! This was excellent. Feeling more serious than Eat, Drink, and sometimes a slightly uncomfortable read but only due to the fact that the
observation was so wonderful and the mother-in-law situation so resonant, even without such a large cultural difference! I loved all the main characters, especially Aunt Miroulla, larger than life in all ways but providing Electra with the Greek culture she so desperately needed in cold England, and Alvaro, the 6 year old who thinks he's Elvis. Oh, and Sean, sketched in of necessity but SO lovely. An intricate plot and great observation (esp of the interactions between adults and kids) made this a gallop of a read but with enough substance to keep one satisfied
too. As in Eat, Drink, too, we learn something about what it is like to
live in a different country from one's homeland, and what the partition
of Cyprus really was, and is, like.
"
Posted by: Liz Broomfield
21:41 pm, 29th October 2006
" This is a far reaching, perceptive and moving novel. At times laugh out loud funny, it also provides a deceptively deep examination of the relationships which can shape or break our lives.Lively and engaging, this book is hard to put down, and the characters remain with you long after you turn the final page. "
Posted by: Andrea Harrison
14:27 pm, 30th October 2006
" A charming and very funny insight into life behind the fish and chip counter, painting a poignant picture of a young woman's struggle for identity amidst cultural clashes, parental pressure and adolescent longing and confusion. The Mother - Daughter relationship at the novel's heart is acutely observed and at times hilarious. Beware, however, 'Eat Drink and Be Married' will not allow you to finish reading with dry eyes. A very satisfying read which also provides a compelling snapshot into the recent history of Cyprus. "
Posted by: Louise Frost
14:28 pm, 30th October 2006
" loved your book, and cant wait for the film!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liz Parkin
Maroni book club
Cyprus. "
Posted by: Liz Parkin
2:01 am, 30th January 2007
" The members of our book club reviewed this book at our last meeting and the general consensus was that it was an utter delight. Since many of us have lived here in Cyprus for some years we felt as tho' we knew YiaYia and Tina as neighbours and friends, we could 'hear' their voices, taste their food, be a part of the family intrigues, squabbles and machinations. Eve Makis writes with such poignancy and affection she drew us in completely and we all 'cared' about the characters she draws with such perception. Looking forward to reading her next book. "
Posted by: Elsa Basden Maroni Cyprus
2:02 am, 30th January 2007
" I'm from Catalonia. I'm 34. Male. Reading The Mother In Law. This book is fantastic. But even better to have found expressions like 'pa amb tomaquet' or 'truita de patata'. I'm very glad.
Visca Catalunya lliure!
Visca la Eve Makis!
Molts petons (a lot of kisses), i adeeeeeu!
Marc Renobell "
Posted by: Hi from Catalonia
2:17 am, 21st February 2007
" This book is a must for any Brit living in Cyprus,the family is wonderfully whacky, Tina's English is a delight and instantly recognisable.The snippets of island history make one want to discover more and the recipes are great, my neighbour has tried them all! The book made me laugh and cry so its a winner for me. "
Posted by: Liz Scott
4:47 am, 14th February 2007
" You will have heard from Elsa Basden of Maroni who runs our Book Club how very much we all enjoyed 'East Drink and be Married'.
Having had a home in Cyprus for over 20 years - the first 9 years of which were spent in the Troodos Mountains - I found I could identify immediately with all the characters - your descriptions and character drawing were so accurate. Thankyou for such an enjoyable book.
However, I then went on to read 'The Mother-in-Law' and enjoyed that even more - thankyou. I do hope you will be able to visit our Book Group one day when you are next in Cyprus. "
Posted by: Rosemary Corner, Maroni, Cyprus
6:11 am, 17th February 2007
" Somebody gave me this book by accident on Friday night, Its now 1am Sunday morning and I can't put it down.
Its so very real!!!! "
Posted by: Chris Michae
5:28 am, 25th March 2007
" I judged this book by the cover and was not disappointed! My favourite character is Tina, I love that she speaks her mind. This book is so silly and makes me laugh all the time. I can't wait to get my hands on 'the mother in law.' You're a great writer!!! !:-) "
Posted by: Kaki
9:40 am, 8th June 2007
" I was delighted to discover that you have another book in the pipeline and have just placed an order at Amazon for Land of the Golden Apple - roll on April 2008 "
Posted by: Julie
2:09 am, 19th March 2008
" I just wanted to say I am a big fan of your work. I find it truely refreshing to read you novels and gain a wider knowledg of Cypriot history as well as culture "
Posted by: a reader
2:08 am, 19th March 2008
" Having lived in Cyprus for 25 years it's been a wonderful journey of discovery reading Eve's books. I've howled with laughter and sobbed tears of despair as the characters drew me in to their loves and lives. I just love her prose and deft sketches of utterly believable characters, whose voices i know, oh so well, as they surround me day and night here in my village. Eve keep them coming...our book club here in Maroni Cyprus, have agreed, unusually to a woman, that we have loved all three books...in fact they just get better and better. "
Posted by: ELSA BASDEN
11:16 am, 25th July 2008
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