Could You Please Teach Me How to Smile?

Eleni Dikaiou

Isbn:

978-960-36-0158-6

Age Group:

14-15 years

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ABOUT

Ifigeneia seeks the long-chased success of being accepted at the university, while trying to figure out her own self. Our heroine, after a failure at her entry exams, she find her way - which may seem kind of unusual, but is unique nontheless.

REVIEW

…This is a complex novel engaging with many social, psychological, and education issues. Eleni Dikaiou brings an innovative narrative style and an authentic voice to contemporary Greek literature. Her prose is freeflowing and honest, with a disarming sincerity and total lack of linguistic inhibitions. The result is heartfelt and moving.

Vassilis Anagnostopoulos, Professor and Head of Department, Pre-School Education, University of Thessaly, Diadromes, Autumn 1994

The view to the Acropolis from the two-story neoclassical house in Piraeus, the photographs of the archaeologist uncle in America, the suffocating love and protection of parents and relatives: this is the world of Iphigenia, a teenage girl whose only goal in life is to achieve a place at university, which she sees as her duty to her parents.

But what happens when Iphigenia, in order to achieve her goal, stops living in the world of the young, and life passes her by as she spends her days in endless studying? Bitter disappointment and isolation are her reality; love and friendship are only for dreams. Iphigenia’s only thought is how to fulfil her parent’s ambitions for her. Her own wishes are sacrificed at the altar of success. When finally the time comes for her to sit her exams, everyone is certain she will succeed. But

Iphigenia will be devastated, faltering between her dreams and being a misfit in the world around her. Desperate and disillusioned by everybody and everything, she will face defeat, a defeat which will shock her parents and will leave her numb and unable to react, since she never counted on such an outcome.

What will happen now? When will Iphigenia wake up from her mental slumber to realise that she has never known her true self? Which road will lead her to this discovery? Eleni Dikaiou depicts her heroine with a simplicity and immediacy which speak to all young people everywhere who have goals and ambitions and obligations; who are model students but do not enjoy life; who were never really taught how to deal with difficulties.

The novel engages with many contemporary issues relevant to young people, such as family relationships, friendship, drugs, and AIDS. The plot unfolds effortlessly through emotionally charged description, simplicity of style, and an urgency that speak directly to young people.

Isidoros Saliaris, Pilotos Thessalonikis, August 27 – September 7, 1994