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thebobsphere's review
3.0
I know it’s a cliché but one of the great things about books is that one can take place in a country you’ve never visited and gain some knowledge about it. In the case of The Way it Breaks that country is modern day Cyprus.
Orestis is a chubby man (hold on there’s a reason why I’m mentioning this detail) out of the army and is being swindled by his own uncle in his taverna. He meets up with an old friend and her rich father, Aristos, sets up a position for him in a glitzy hotel. He then loses weight and through a frequent customer becomes a gigolo. Thus he lives in two worlds; the normal working one and one filled with sex. He then meets Darya, a Belarussian, and their professional relationship goes deep. When Orestis finds out who Darya’s husband is he then has to keep some secrets which may change his future.
This description may sound like a soap opera but the plot goes deeper. At times the book switches perspective and the personal histories of each characters interweaves into the plot. We all know that everyone has their own story and that it is tied up with a country’s culture. In the case of Orestis and Aristos it is Cyprus. With Darya it is Belarus. In fact the personal experience/country’s histories are so entwined it also leads to all the problems in each of his characters personalities.
The Way it Breaks gives a good insight into what is happening in Cyprus and it’s not that different than to what’s happening in Malta: modernistation and an influx of rich people due to the sale of passports (unfortunately something we have in Malta as well) To add more dimensions to this multi layered novel, the characters come from different social classes and it’s interesting to see mentalities, traditions and attitudes. As an aside it is also the first time I’ve read about an asexual character in a novel so kudos to the author for including representation.
On the whole The Way it Breaks is a solid novel. It flows beautifully, and for, someone like me, who also lives in an island in the Mediterranean, is interesting to see the cultural similarities and differences. Definitely an enriching read in every way.
Orestis is a chubby man (hold on there’s a reason why I’m mentioning this detail) out of the army and is being swindled by his own uncle in his taverna. He meets up with an old friend and her rich father, Aristos, sets up a position for him in a glitzy hotel. He then loses weight and through a frequent customer becomes a gigolo. Thus he lives in two worlds; the normal working one and one filled with sex. He then meets Darya, a Belarussian, and their professional relationship goes deep. When Orestis finds out who Darya’s husband is he then has to keep some secrets which may change his future.
This description may sound like a soap opera but the plot goes deeper. At times the book switches perspective and the personal histories of each characters interweaves into the plot. We all know that everyone has their own story and that it is tied up with a country’s culture. In the case of Orestis and Aristos it is Cyprus. With Darya it is Belarus. In fact the personal experience/country’s histories are so entwined it also leads to all the problems in each of his characters personalities.
The Way it Breaks gives a good insight into what is happening in Cyprus and it’s not that different than to what’s happening in Malta: modernistation and an influx of rich people due to the sale of passports (unfortunately something we have in Malta as well) To add more dimensions to this multi layered novel, the characters come from different social classes and it’s interesting to see mentalities, traditions and attitudes. As an aside it is also the first time I’ve read about an asexual character in a novel so kudos to the author for including representation.
On the whole The Way it Breaks is a solid novel. It flows beautifully, and for, someone like me, who also lives in an island in the Mediterranean, is interesting to see the cultural similarities and differences. Definitely an enriching read in every way.
mcglassa's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heresthepencil's review
3.0
rep: bi mc, bi character, gay character, Belarusian mc
tw: fatphobia, internalised fatphobia, xenophobia
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
5 Reasons to Read This Book
One: The book might be taking place (mostly) on Cyprus, but there are characters there from all over Europe. You don’t even realise how much you’re missing something in books until you finally encounter it. And that diversity wasn’t just empty words, either. It was actually used to talk about xenophobia in Europe, doesn’t shy away from it for a moment. But also talks about history of other countries, about relations between the countries, about how people’s views on them change depending on their own background, upbringing.
Two: A big theme in the novel is body image. It’s not always presented in a positive way, in the sense that the main character Orestis struggles with how his body looks ever since he put on weight. But once again, it’s a smart commentary on the subject. The Way It Breaks talks pretty openly on the relationship between how you see your body and your self-worth; about the way your self-esteem levels rise the more in tune you are with your body. And sure, in case of Orestis being in tune with your body means being muscular with no visible fat, but he’s actively trying to achieve his goal. And the way he carries himself changes alongside his body.
Three: The interpersonal relationships are probably the most interesting part of the novel. The familial ones, of course; how just because you share blood with someone, doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to love you & how their lack of love or their broken way of loving you, can shape your whole life. But also the relationships we shape with others on our own, the ones we choose; how they’re almost never as easy as we imagine them to be at first & how keeping them all in balance can be the most tricky thing in life.
Four: Religion. Pretty much every character has different approach to god, looks for something divine in different places. Or doesn’t look for it at all for different reasons. There’s even a conversation about actual differences between ways people from various countries practice the same religion, in this case Orthodox Catholic Church. And like everything else in the book, the characters’ feelings about religion or lack thereof run deeper than simply a characteristic. They shape their lives, while also being shaped by their lives in turn.
Five: Kind of tied with the first point, but – language. Because the characters come from so many places, naturally they speak different languages. And The Way It Breaks understands what a giant role in one’s life plays being able to explain oneself properly to others. There are countless conversations where a character knows exactly what they wish to say, but lacks words for that in a certain language; the way that can almost change how others perceive you. Then there’s a second side of the coin: people learning your mother tongue because they care about you, because you’re important enough for them to try.
tw: fatphobia, internalised fatphobia, xenophobia
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
5 Reasons to Read This Book
One: The book might be taking place (mostly) on Cyprus, but there are characters there from all over Europe. You don’t even realise how much you’re missing something in books until you finally encounter it. And that diversity wasn’t just empty words, either. It was actually used to talk about xenophobia in Europe, doesn’t shy away from it for a moment. But also talks about history of other countries, about relations between the countries, about how people’s views on them change depending on their own background, upbringing.
Two: A big theme in the novel is body image. It’s not always presented in a positive way, in the sense that the main character Orestis struggles with how his body looks ever since he put on weight. But once again, it’s a smart commentary on the subject. The Way It Breaks talks pretty openly on the relationship between how you see your body and your self-worth; about the way your self-esteem levels rise the more in tune you are with your body. And sure, in case of Orestis being in tune with your body means being muscular with no visible fat, but he’s actively trying to achieve his goal. And the way he carries himself changes alongside his body.
Three: The interpersonal relationships are probably the most interesting part of the novel. The familial ones, of course; how just because you share blood with someone, doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to love you & how their lack of love or their broken way of loving you, can shape your whole life. But also the relationships we shape with others on our own, the ones we choose; how they’re almost never as easy as we imagine them to be at first & how keeping them all in balance can be the most tricky thing in life.
Four: Religion. Pretty much every character has different approach to god, looks for something divine in different places. Or doesn’t look for it at all for different reasons. There’s even a conversation about actual differences between ways people from various countries practice the same religion, in this case Orthodox Catholic Church. And like everything else in the book, the characters’ feelings about religion or lack thereof run deeper than simply a characteristic. They shape their lives, while also being shaped by their lives in turn.
Five: Kind of tied with the first point, but – language. Because the characters come from so many places, naturally they speak different languages. And The Way It Breaks understands what a giant role in one’s life plays being able to explain oneself properly to others. There are countless conversations where a character knows exactly what they wish to say, but lacks words for that in a certain language; the way that can almost change how others perceive you. Then there’s a second side of the coin: people learning your mother tongue because they care about you, because you’re important enough for them to try.
nataliem88's review
4.0
With events taking place in Cyprus, The Way It Breaks is the story of a young man named Orestis, a man who like a lot of young people, is still trying to find his path in life. Dissatisfied with his current situation, Orestis begins something of a journey – and one that takes him in paths you may not expect. I was interested to see how things would develop for Orestis, he is a character you are drawn to immediately, and one that is relatable as we find out early on that he is struggling to accept not only the life he inhabits, but his body. His struggle with his body image and the fatphobia that is ever present in society add to Orestis’ discomfort, and this struggle proves all the more significant considering how his journey plays out. A meeting with an old friend leads to an opportunity to interview for a role at a luxury hotel, something which helps him finally get back on track, with the chance to pursue a more lucrative career path, that is until he meets a gigolo who shows him a different path entirely...
One of the strengths in Polis’ writing is in the authenticity of the characters and the setting. Born and raised in Cyprus, Polis has drawn from his own upbringing and the personal experiences of himself and his loved ones, the details of which have been woven throughout this story. As a result, its characters have an authentic voice, and the sights and sounds of Cyprus were vividly portrayed which helped provide fascinating insight into the life, culture and history that provides the backdrop for this story. The story itself is one that piqued my interest, and I was intrigued to see the transition made by Orestis over the course of the novel. We see a young man who begins from a position of vulnerability and insecurity, and watch as he becomes more comfortable with his body and his sexuality, venturing into unfamiliar territory, and forming unexpected connections along the way which have a huge impact on him. These themes surrounding body image, sexuality, love and relationships all play a key part as Orestis' journey and it was interesting to see the layers of the story unfold, the bonds that are formed, and the way in which fate too plays a role in the ways in which the lives of these characters become intertwined, as Orestis discovers the importance of human connection through the relationships he builds, as he discovers more about himself, and the world he wants to be in.
One of the strengths in Polis’ writing is in the authenticity of the characters and the setting. Born and raised in Cyprus, Polis has drawn from his own upbringing and the personal experiences of himself and his loved ones, the details of which have been woven throughout this story. As a result, its characters have an authentic voice, and the sights and sounds of Cyprus were vividly portrayed which helped provide fascinating insight into the life, culture and history that provides the backdrop for this story. The story itself is one that piqued my interest, and I was intrigued to see the transition made by Orestis over the course of the novel. We see a young man who begins from a position of vulnerability and insecurity, and watch as he becomes more comfortable with his body and his sexuality, venturing into unfamiliar territory, and forming unexpected connections along the way which have a huge impact on him. These themes surrounding body image, sexuality, love and relationships all play a key part as Orestis' journey and it was interesting to see the layers of the story unfold, the bonds that are formed, and the way in which fate too plays a role in the ways in which the lives of these characters become intertwined, as Orestis discovers the importance of human connection through the relationships he builds, as he discovers more about himself, and the world he wants to be in.
owenblacker's review
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The Way it Breaks is a lushly described visit to the author’s native Cyprus, telling us not only the story of the 4 protagonists — including a bisexual man, a polyamorous asexual man and 2 women important in both their lives — but also giving us a feel for Lemesos and some of the impact that the Soviet collapse has added to the long and diverse history of this jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean. As Dr David Gordon Wilson 🇪🇺🇬🇧🇨🇾🏳️🌈 put it in his review (which you should read), Cyprus is “an island whose geography makes it a valuable prize, yet never rich and powerful enough in its own right to resist those who would possess and use it”, which is part of why all Polis’s characters having complex, layered identities. I’ll quote Wilson’s review again, as he put it far better than I could:
These are rich characters, and we access their inner lives because the author tells the tale from the perspective of different characters in different chapters, which become shorter and more focused as the tale develops, and the possibilities open to them narrow. As we follow the characters, seeing how they use their inheritances to navigate life and grow, we see also how choices can leave us boxed in, reducing our available options. Yet this is still growth, for progress in life is so often about choosing which doorways to leave closed, as much as those we choose to open and enter.
… It has been said often that character is fate but this book reminds us that history is also fate, for in human beings, these two are interwoven, like the strands of the baskets crafted by the village women.
Again, you should go read Dr Wilson’s review, which is far better-written, far more detailed and far more interesting than I could manage, not least on the deeper thoughts inspired by Polis’s writing. Also, go read this thread by Polis, about an anecdote that made its way into the book.
Finally, I should disclaim that Polis is a friend of mine, though the only way in which this has influenced this review is by making me take longer on it (over 6 months since finishing the book!), to ensure that my review does his work justice. I’m not sure I’ve achieved that, tbh, but you should get hold of a copy of his gorgeous prose and step into the lives of his characters so you can obviate the need for me to have done a better job 😉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Car accident
CN: poor self-image, including internalised fatphobia; racism; death of relative
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