A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson

Here is a book I missed when it was first published as we entered lockdown. Set on the Greek Island of Hydra, it is born out of the author’s fascination for some very atmospheric photographs of Bohemian authors, painters, musicians and poets in the summer of 1960. Included in the photographs and the book’s cast of characters are Leonard Cohen, Charmian Clift, George Johnston and many more of the Bohemian set living at the time.

So how does this intriguing mix of elements shape up in a novel?

Erica is the fictional character telling the story through the first person, present tense voice. She’s an 18-year-old girl on the cusp of womanhood. She finds herself on Hydra with her boyfriend and brother, in the heart of this Bohemian group, after the death of her mother and a diff cult and distant relationship with her father. Erica’s mother and Charmian Clift had been friends and herein lies a number of secrets for which Erica seeks answers.

The group is looking for freedom but whilst the Retsina flows freely, the royalty cheques are harder to come by and fractured relationships leave fractured people. For the women, especially, life was tough. Daily routines to provide essentials were arduous on this remote island with limited supplies of energy and water. The reality and limitations of marriage and motherhood are brought into sharp focus. Erica, blessed with a small inheritance has been instructed by her mother to “dare to dream”. On Hydra she gets that chance. Samson’s descriptions of the island, fresh local food, cheap drinks, bathing in cool waters, after-dark conversations by candle light and the inter relationships of its unconventional inhabitants are fascinating. She absolutely captures the atmosphere on Hydra in 1960: the heat, sounds, colours, smells, traditions, vegetation, streets, buildings and seas are all vividly portrayed.

The ending of a book can often be a real let-down. In this case though, because the characters are based on real life people, the last two chapters are extremely satisfying in that real facts tie up loose ends beautifully.

As a teenager in the late 60s, there was an awareness that somewhere, a blessed and beautiful set of people were living this life. I even collected Leonard Cohen poems and saw him perform at De Montfort Hall. Now I feel I’ve walked with them on the narrow steep streets, in the heat, under the lemon trees, sipping Retsina. This book is truly a holiday on a Greek island without the cost and upheaval of travel.

Further background information about the creation of the novel, the influence of the writers and musicians mentioned and associated music and poems can be found on YouTube by searching “A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson”.

Catherine Holmes

Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2024: I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery

Rebel and his boy Tom live on a farm, handling the sheep. Rebel is enjoying life to its fullest, but as war rages, Tom becomes determined to join the army and defeat the King's men. When Tom goes off to war and leaves Rebel behind, calling him a 'bad dog', Rebel goes on a determined journey along the mountains to find his boy. I loved that Tom loves Rebel but even when their friendship broke, Rebel carried on loving Tom. It was lovely to read a book from a dog's perspective. It completely melted my heart and has become one of my favourite books of all time.

Elodi Herbert