In this beautifully written memoir Peter Papathanasiou tells the story of two lives: his own, and that of his mother. From a starting point in modern Australia, the book reaches back to the period after the Second World War, focusing on the history of Greece (where the author was born) and Turkey, including the complexities of boundary changes and the effects that they have on religion, language, identity and the social, economic and political position of the affected population.

The author pieces together his life and that of his family in a gentle and authentic manner that embodies what family really means. He explores the potential challenges that arise from decisions made in previous generations, and the impacts that they can have on the next generation – and on generations in the future.

Papathanasiou tells a very personal story with respect, love and acknowledgement of those who went before him. This wonderful account demonstrates once and for all that sometimes family is about much more than genetics; it is about sacrifice and love, on many different levels.

This review was published in the October issue of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.