Lipsi's Daughter (In English)

Lipsi Island is actually Lipsos Island, but since it has more than one island associated with it, it is typically called Lipsi, which is the plural of Lipsos. This group of islands is situated in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. It is located next to Patmos and Leros islands. Patmos Island is the island where St. John was exiled and experienced the revelations that were written up in the Bible. For five hundred years, the monastery of Patmos ruled over Lipsi Island and the monks used the land. Later, when people migrated to the island, the monastery sold land to them on the condition that they build a church on their property. At least thirty, if not forty, churches exist on the island today. Lipsi has a miracle that occurs there every year. In the 1940s, a maiden was praying to the "Panagia tou Harou" icon (The Virgin Mary of Haron). Her prayers were met, so she placed a simple bouquet of lilies on the icon. The lilies withered and remained on the icon. The following year, the lilies blossomed and gave off a fragrance on August 23rd, the anniversary date. Since then, every year on that day, the lilies blossom and give off a fragrance. This miracle is included in the novel, as well as other interesting descriptions of island life, like vivid scenes of milking a goat in the early morning, and the strong sense of community feeling depicting people caring about each other.

"Lipsi's Daughter" is a Cinderella-style story set in the 1980s, where Ipatia, a 17 year old orphan, lives on Lipsi Island with her grandfather. She leaves for Piraeus with high hopes of obtaining a college education there. In the process, she finds love in the way of a handsome shipowner's son. Tony. Their love blossoms, but obstacles get in the way, and a car accident separates the couple. Ipatia finds herself in Chicago, where she eventually gets her degree. Tony has amnesia from the accident and doesn't remember anything or anyone, including Ipatia. Will they get together again? ...Read the book!

By Patty Apostolides. 298 pages. Paperback.

ISBN: 0-595-37572-3