The Greek House: The Story of a Painter's Love Affair with the Island of Sifnos

This enchanting memoir by Swiss-born painter Brechneff illuminates the simple beauty of a remote Greek island where the painter found solace over a 35 year career. Stumbling upon the island in 1972 as a 21-year-old art student, Brechneff instantly took to the rough, sensual rhythms of Sifnos. He co-opted an old ruin near the beach at Platy Gialos and spent his leisure painting, reading, swimming, and walking the rural island; at six-four with long blonde hair, craving connection and still wrestling with his attractions to men and women alike, Brechneff was an anomaly on the island and was known local-ly as Christo. He endeared himself to the villagers, many of whom he describes in fond, vivid detail: the proprietor of the main caf%C3%A9 in Apollonia, a beautiful goat shepherd, neighbors' wives, and aging farmers. In 1977, he bought a house in the village of Exambela which he lovingly fixed up and added to over the years. His quiet respect for the island and simple disposition caused the close-knit commu-nity to embrace him as one of their own. With occasional sketches of the landscape and bare-bones photographs, Brechneff's narrative is an unadorned yet sensuous tribute to the adopted land and people that inspired his work. Agent: Gillon Aitken (June)