Greek born and raised here and I found it very enjoyable and to the point. And what impressed me most is how the author manages to include all those elements that lead to the actual word "horiatis" being used as an insult in Greek while at the same time maintain a positive attitude towards his neighbours. ( )

A light hearted book about John and his family living in Greece.

He finds a ruined property that he decides to buy without consulting his wife! Or four children and this book is about the way that he repaired, renovated and rebuilt this with the help of the locals.

Mole writes with a witty self depreciating style, and it is quite funny in parts. ( )

This is a whimsical, often funny, look at the author's attempts to renovate an old house -- very old, as in no roof, windows, doors, plumbing or electricity, but what a view -- on a island in Greece. It's a very light read, but entertaining. ( )

Light reading and fun adventures of John Mole, the author who decided to build a home for his family on a hill in Evia, a Greek island just because he loved the view. Whimsical, comedic and purely delightful read especially if you have been to or are going to Greece! ( )

I really enjoyed this honest and funny account of doing up a battered house in a Greek island village, although it was a little odd that it was written 25 or so years after the events it portrays.

I have a weakness for an expatriate-buys-a-house book and have read quite a few in my time. This was a good one, with a real feel for, and love for, the people in the village. There were a few rather vivid scenes around animal slaughter which may not be particularly suitable for the squeamish. I really liked the truthful scenes of family life, bickering and all, and the sense of luck that they found and could restore this lovely building.

More photos would have perhaps been nice... ( )