Featured image:  Hellenic temple at Corfu island, Greece, from Envato Elements

Steeped in myth, Corfu remained virtually untouched for generations

by Carolyn Ray

Continuing our theme of exploring alternative lifestyles (most recently with Ann Vanderhoof’s An Embarrassment of Mangoes — an account of a two-year midlife break during which she sailed from Canada to the Caribbean), our book selection this month is Emma Tennant’s “A House in Corfu: A Family’s Sojourn in Greece.”

In this memoir, London-based Tennant shares stories of her parents’ decision to buy a parcel of land on a remote part of Corfu and build Rovinia, a house inaccessible by road. In 1965, her parents moved to Corfu permanently and Tennant came to know the island intimately. Not only does the book detail the challenges of building Rovinia, it also gives a glimpse into island life and the joy of belonging to a timeless world: the world of vine, olive, and sea.

There is no question that the Greek Islands are stunning but Corfu has a special mystique all its own. Women with an interest in history will appreciate the many references to Greek mythology – the fact that the house sits above the bay where Odysseus is said to have been shipwrecked is fascinating. 

Culture Trip says: “Named after the beautiful nymph Korkyra, Corfu is bathed in myths. The daughter of Asopos and Metope and sister of Aegina, Korkyra fell in love with Poseidon, who abducted her and took her to an unnamed island, which then took her name – Korkyra, or Corfu. The island is also home to the Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Sisi of Bavaria. The palace was of course named after Achilles, who was dipped into the enchanted river Styx by his mother to protect him. As you know, the protection worked except at the heel, where his mother was holding onto him. A fierce warrior who played an important part in the Trojan War, he was killed by an arrow to his ankle.” 

Your book club co-hosts, Wendy and Carolyn, invite you to join us for a Caribbean interlude with Ann’sbook and join us at our monthly book club on June 16 at 8 pm EDT, for a facilitated discussion, its themes, and the Islands of the Caribbean. Our book club operates on a Pay-What-You-Can model. We thank you for your generosity and kindness.

Book Club Discussion Questions (Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 8 pm EDT)

1. What was your favourite part of passage of the book and why?

2. What had been your experience with Corfu prior to reading the book? Did it confirm or conflict with your impression of the island?

3. One review of the book said, “This book is a terrible disappointment if one is looking for plot, character development, reader involvement, etc. However, it’s wonderful if one is an architect, a civil engineer, and/or a horticulturist.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Why?

4. A House in Corfu shows the huge changes in island life since the time of the building of the house, and celebrates, equally, the joy of belonging to a timeless world; the world of vine, olive and sea. What specific timelessness appealed to you? How do we see the passing of time?

5.Which characters would you have liked to have seen drawn out more in the book?

6.How did the time that the book refers to “come through” in the book? The 60s, major changes to women’s roles, etc?

We’d Love Your Photographs and Tips on Corfu and Greece! 

Do you have photos of Corfu to share? Send them to [email protected] with a brief description and a tip, and we’ll share them in the session!  

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