A Parthenon on our Roof by Peter Barber

Book Blurb

In A Parthenon On Our Roof, we meet Alexandra, a product of Greek Fire. Born into the cradle of civilization. Weaned on the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers, thrilled by the bravery of Spartans and thousands of years of cultural heritage.

Peter, her future husband, a tea-drinking, digestive-dunking product of British society. Working to make a living, with no real ambitions or dreams. But then, he fell in love and everything changed.

Nothing can go wrong, right?

A Parthenon On Our Roof follows Alexandra’s quest to transform Peter from a typical stiff upper-lipped Brit into something resembling an Achilles-type character with sharpened sword and wits to match. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes embarrassing, Peter’s transformation opened his eyes to the world around him and changed his outlook on life forever.

Best Book Editors Review

One of my favourite books this year. I adored every word of this. I’m a sucker for anything travel or culture related and this book was right up my taverna-intensive alley. It’s the story of a typical Brit bloke, trying to find his slot when he marries into a typical Greek family. It’s brilliant. Funny, funny, funny and an interesting slice of somebody else’s life. Perfect fly-on-the-wall reading.

Every chapter begins with a cartoon illustration. I enjoyed looking at them to see what was coming up in that chapter. When you get to the one of Peter hanging onto a mule’s neck you’re in for a treat.

This leads me neatly into the humour and humanity of this book. I don’t laugh out loud. I might give a little internal smile at something mildly amusing. However, Peter and the mule smacked me right on my funny bone, and it was hilarious. And that’s down to the comic timing and delivery of the writing. I even read an excerpt out loud to my other half. The book’s a light read, it’s easy and pacey and a sunshine delight.

What comes across is the love between Alexandra and Peter. We’d all like to know that our partners held us in such high regard. Mind, it took a brave man to take her on, she’s a Greek fire-cracker. Without it ever lapsing into mushy, it’s a delight to read.

Make this your book of the summer, or the one to drag you through the winter. It educates about a different way of life without preaching, It’s sweet, funny and reminiscent of Bill Bryson’s Postcards of…

Buy it, read it, pass it on, and love it. I’m looking forward to the sequel, A Parthenon in Pefki.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Peter Barber

Award-winning and Bestselling Author Peter Barber is a native Londoner living between England and Greece. Marrying his fiery Greek wife Alexandra not only made him part of a Greek family but also immersed him in Greek life and culture. Fascinated by the people, history and traditions, Peter dove in head first. He wished to be among the locals and experience Greek life first-hand.

From his cultural and language flubs to the trials and tribulations of life in Greece, Peter sometimes got more than he bargained for. But with his signature wit, he found humor in their escapades. And, as he learned more about Greece’s history, his new family, and modern life in Greece, he knew he had to share his insights.

His humorous and heartfelt travel memoirs reveal the real Greece—not just sun and sea, but the wonderful people, rich history and culture. If you can’t get to Greece, live Greece through his books.

Peter is a proud member of the UK’s Society of Authors.

DaveB

It made my heart sing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 November 2023

Verified Purchase

Peter made a brave move in relocating to Greece, possibly an even braver one in marrying a feisty Greek woman – a match made in parádeisos. I’ve read a couple of dozen books about starting a new life and a new home, but this one is so immersive it adds an extra dimension – especially with regards to a Hellenic family’s history, quirks and customs. As a tourist/traveller you see the very surface: this book takes you on an endearing and affectionate dive through some of the country’s cultural idiosyncrasies. Peter’s good-natured, easy-going attitude and ability to find humour in the most frustrating circumstances is infectious, as is (by counterpoint) the fabulous indignation displayed by his wife, Alex, on many an occasion.
If you love Greece this read will make your heart sing and – what’s more – I guarantee it will make you laugh out loud.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clementi

Culture Fusion of an International Couple

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 October 2023

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I really enjoyed reading this memoir – it was a revelation with fascinating (and sometimes shocking!) facts (both Greek and British!) and I loved all the insights into Greek life and culture, from the beauty of the country, delicious food at the tavernas, their customs and superstitions, frustrating bureaucracy, dodgy driving habits and the colourful characters and temperaments along the way. This memoir is also a heartwarming love story as the awesome Alex – une femme formidable for sure – is not only irresistible to Peter, but also gives him a baptism of fire into Greek way of life and culture, peeling off his layers like an onion until he’s laid quite bare, and in that sense it’s also a memoir about self-discovery. This is a memoir on meany levels – it’s a wonderful love story, a travelogue, and a memoir about renovation/building work (including the Stavros/Stamos the builder), and tales about travelling with dogs – there is such a lot packed into it. It’s also very funny – the donkey ride is especially hilarious. I loved reading this book. Looking forward to reading the sequel soon!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mrs. Barbara J. Charlton

Goggle a minute!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2023

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I read this book by the very funny Peter Barber and I love the way he writes. His characters are good but they are actually real people with character.
His view on life with his Greek wife is lovely and she is shown to be a strong and beautiful person throughout the book- but cross her at your peril!
His stories of everyday life in a Greek town are funny and relatable.
I can’t wait for the follow up book and have pre ordered it already!
Thank you Peter and Alex for bringing me joy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐