*My Xanthi* by Stephanie CotsirilosStephanie Cotsirilos’s *My Xanthi* is a poignant, elegantly layered novella that explores identity, memory, and the enduring power of love across generations and cultures. At its heart is Nick Milonas, a sharp-witted, emotionally complex criminal defense lawyer navigating his present-day life in Southern California while reckoning with the ghosts of his past.When Nick receives a collection of posthumous letters from Xanthi, a Greek immigrant woman who shaped his childhood, he is plunged into a journey of self-discovery. Her letters—laced with wit, hard-earned wisdom, and a sense of resilient grace—reveal secrets from a war-torn Greece and illuminate the sacrifices and complexities of immigrant life. Through Xanthi’s voice, Cotsirilos masterfully bridges continents and generations, exposing how personal history and inherited trauma quietly shape who we become.As Nick confronts these revelations, his own life—his work, his marriage, his parenting—comes into sharper focus. The contrasts between his polished American present and his tangled ancestral roots offer rich emotional tension. Cotsirilos handles themes of displacement, assimilation, and justice with nuance and authenticity, never straying into sentimentality. Her prose is both lyrical and grounded, drawing readers into the inner workings of a man struggling to reconcile his rational profession with the emotional and moral complexities of his upbringing.What makes *My Xanthi* stand out is its emotional restraint paired with its deep resonance. This is a story not only about uncovering the truth but about accepting the intricacies of love, family, and cultural legacy. The novella’s brevity does not diminish its impact—instead, it sharpens it, like a well-argued closing statement from a seasoned defense lawyer.Verdict: *My Xanthi* is a beautifully written meditation on memory, identity, and moral inheritance. It is both intimate and far-reaching, offering readers a compelling blend of historical reflection and personal reckoning. A deeply human story that lingers long after the final page.
Book link :- https://www.amazon.com/My-Xanthi-Stephanie-Cotsirilos/dp/B0C6T81QT1
