Eleni, or Nobody
Because women painters were not taken seriously in the late 19th century, Eleni Boukoura disguised herself as a man in order to pursue her vocation. She transforms herself into “Nobody,” a persona who haunts her throughout her life.
Choosing to spend her dowry on art classes in Italy, Eleni leaves Greece, breaking tradition and embarking on a path that will lead to misunderstanding and ostracism. In Italy she meets famous artist Francesco Saverio Altamura, but can this relationship be destined for happily ever after?
Much later, when Eleni retires to her home, the island of Spetses, talent appears as a curse not a blessing. Will Greece’s first female painter build on her talent or eschew art? Shadowy personalities from Eleni’s past contribute to this tale of her life. Or is it lives? How many different Elenis can fit into a single lifetime?
Translated from the Greek, this novel is beautifully written. Yet the reader must pay full attention to understand the story. Divided into three sections, it tells of Eleni’s early life in the third person, then reminisces on the bulk of her life from the first person, and finally looks back on her life through the eyes of some family members. It evokes her love for her homeland, and shows how heartbreak can infiltrate and alter even the most resolute of souls. It also shows how a woman who dares to be different can find little sympathy in a culture that uses its traditions to build itself into a distinct nation.
