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There are currently 17 member reviews
for A Theater for Dreamers
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Randi H. (Bronx, NY)
Highly evocative
A Theater for Dreamers is a fictionalized account of the expatriate community in Hydra, Greece in 1960. The novel is fabulously atmospheric. As I read, the sights and smells of Hydra came alive. But the story itself could have been stronger; not a whole lot happens as this group of people go about their daily life. However, I felt the ending wrapped things up nicely, and left me with a better understanding of the characters. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes a very strong sense of place.
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Laurie S. (Lakeville, MN)
A Theater for Dreamers
The beautiful Greek island of Hydra sets an engaging stage for Erica, the main narrator, as she explores the pleasure, pain, and possibility of youthful dreams. Readers will enjoy digging into the evocative details of this place and might find themselves wanting to know more about the writers and musicians, including the iconic Leonard Cohen. Guided by desire, the characters form their lyrics and stories from their amorphous days on the island, and yet, so much is left unsaid by the artists. They become like figures in a mythic Greek drama, complete with their muses and mistakes. The novel A Theater for Dreamers exposes the emotional price artists pay for their artistic expression.
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Jennie R. (Highland, CA)
Greek Island Vacation?
I feel the author did a good job of describing the time and place. In my mind's eye, I could plainly see the island and the houses, shops, beach, and people. The relationships added interesting texture and tension. My only complaint was that none of the characters were particularly likable, they all seemed self absorbed and callous. I couldn't really feel any connection to them. I also had trouble keeping track of who was who and where they fit into the story. What I enjoyed most was an interesting look at a piece of Leonard Cohen's early life.
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Judy W. (Tucker, GA)
A Theater for Dreamers by Polly Samson
A Theater for Dreamers is a pleasant, somewhat confusing, book. The author introduces so many characters it is difficult to remember all of them. Samson's writing is lyrical and descriptive--the reader is immersed on a magical Greek island.
The story is a coming of age for young, recently motherless Erica as she searches for the truth about her mother's young life, too. She meets Chairman on Piraeus, beginning an unusual friendship with her mother's friend as she tries to understand what her mother wished for her to find in the lovely little village. Erica will remain here throughout her life, even though others left to resume their lives in England. I would recommend this book, but not the top of one's reading list.
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Chris D.
Escape to a Greek island
I had a hard time getting into this book. I was confused by all the characters, and couldn't keep them straight. The author's descriptions of the island itself are beautiful, and it seemed like a lovely place, but I don't think I would have wanted to live there in 1960.
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Eileen F. (Media, PA)
Greek Tragedy
Reading this is like visiting the Greek isles. You can feel the sun, sand and wind. Some parts of the book drew you in while other sections seemed wander and run on. Many of the characters were hard to keep track of. Their names seemed interchangeable. This was a solo read for me.
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Gail B. (Albuquerque, NM)
Lust Was in the Air
In 1960, teenager Erica was out of her depths. An innocent who lost her mother and sought to escape the controlling thumb of her cold-hearted father, she used her inheritance to take brother and friends to the Greek isle of Hydra. There they met novelists Charmian Clift and George Johnston, poet Leonard Cohen, and a tribe of writers, painters and hangers-on, living the free life. With one wild party after another, as the characters waited for their muse (or a publisher), the story became repetitive and I lost interest.
