Let Me Explain You
Scribner
July 14, 2015
Hardcover
352
A powerful debut novel about a Greek American family and its enigmatic patriarch from a riveting new voice in contemporary literature.
Stavros Stavros Mavrakis, Greek immigrant and proud owner of the Gala Diner, believes he has just ten days to live. As he prepares for his final hours, he sends a scathing email to his ex-wife and three grown daughters, outlining his wishes for how they each might better live their lives. With varying degrees of laughter and scorn, his family and friends dismiss his behavior as nothing more than a plea for attention, but when Stavros disappears, those closest to him are forced to confront the possibility of his death.
A vibrant tour de force that races to a surprising conclusion, Let Me Explain You is told from multiple perspectives: Stavros Stavros, brimming with pride and cursing in broken English; his eldest daughter Stavroula, a talented chef in love with her boss’s daughter; her sister, the wounded but resilient Litza; and many other voices who compose a veritable Greek chorus.
By turns hilarious and deeply moving, this multigenerational novel delivers a heartfelt meditation on the power of storytelling and family, the relationship between fathers and daughters, and also the complex bond of sisterhood. Annie Liontas explores our origins and family myths, hunger and what feeds us, reinvention and forgiveness.
Review:
“Let Me Explain You” is a difficult book to review. On one hand, the writing is beautiful and tragicomic. On the other, it can be outrageously offensive. I’ve given it four stars, but please be sure to thoroughly read my review and any others you may find to see if it’s a good fit for you.
At its heart, “Let Me Explain You” is a story about the American Dream, reality, and the hot mess that makes up most families, whether we want to admit it or not. It begins with Stavros Stavros Mavrakis (actual name) writing an email to his ex-wife and daughters, announcing that he will be dying in ten days. As the reader will soon come to learn about Mavrakis himself, it is in parts tender, sad, and downright mean. That’s the tone for the entire book.
While parts had me laughing out loud, others made me want to choke Mr. Mavrakis, and some made me want to cry. To me that’s wonderful writing. The sections about the interactions between the family were my favorites, because we all have those relationships that are love/hate. Or, at times, hate/hate. It was all very realistic with excellent character development.
Unfortunately, the main character is pretty much the equivalent of your racist uncle at a holiday dinner. He has opinions, he does not care if you like them, he believes everyone needs to hear them, and at some point you realize he is in reality a bitter old man who is lonely. So, if you can have a conversation with “that uncle” and still be able to see some good in him, you will probably enjoy this book. If you avoid family dinners because of him, then avoid it.
As for myself, I found “Let Me Explain You” an excellent debut novel and look forward to reading more from the author.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.
