SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Greek House: The Story of a Painter's Love Affair with the Island of Sifnos

by Christian Brechneff
with Tim Lovejoy. Farrar. 2013. 304p. illus. ISBN 9780374166717. $26. TRAV
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As a young, aspiring artist, Brechneff landed on the remote Greek island of Sifnos in 1972 almost by chance and began a 30-year love affair with the locals, their simple way of life, and the rocky landscape that came to inspire much of his artwork. His days were spent wandering the island, dining on the simple, but delicious, local foods, closely observing his sometimes eccentric neighbors, and coming to terms with his sexual preference for men. Over time, both the man and the island changed, the island losing its innocent charm as modern technology and affluent outsiders arrived and the painter gaining confidence in his sexuality and artistic talent. Eventually, Brechneff was surprised to discover that he was no longer inspired by Sifnos, and he sold the small home he lovingly created.
VERDICT Filled with anecdotes both humorous and sad and complemented by his drawings of the dramatic vistas of Sifnos, Brechneff's somewhat rambling yet entertaining mixture of travelog and very personal memoir will appeal to armchair travelers and readers interested in gay memoirs.
Reviewed by Linda M. Kaufmann, Massachusetts Coll. of Liberal Arts Lib., North Adams , Oct 15, 2013
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