Two Greeks

Cypriot migrant Haralambos Stylianou crosses the world to plant his personal flag in suburban Melbourne. He marries Carol, fathers Angela and Andy, and rules his quarter-acre kingdom like a tyrant. Ten-year-old Andy figures all fathers must be part ogre, part child, part Zeus or maybe just all Greek fathers? His peculiar little family is on the brink of collapse. His sister believes that men and women should live separately, girls with their mothers, boys with their fathers. His mother is eagerly awaiting the advent of no fault divorce, when she will farewell Harry Stylianou and all his crazy bullying, and live in peace. But Andy has a melodramatic mind and fears that things could easily end in murder. If only he could subdue his father's rage. If only he could charm the knife from his pocket. Normal family life seems impossible, until one summer's day in 1974 a miraculous Greek voice pierces the surrounding Anglosphere promising to put the kingdom right. Two Greeks is a bittersweet story about mentoring, delusion and a child's need to trust.

John Charalambous is the author of Furies and Silent Parts and a former teacher with more than 13 years of experience.