An excellent joint review of Kouvaros and Nikos Papastergiadis’ John Berger and Me (Giramondo) by Anthony Macris today in Sydney Review of Books:

“What is admirable in Kouvaros’ personal essays is how they rise above what was for many migrants an embittering, even degrading, experience. His are essays of resilience and dignity, of secret hope and quiet sacrifice. The theme of generational sacrifice looms particularly large. In ‘The Bouquet’, his parents’ long marriage is celebrated at a community event in a testimony to not only enduring commitment, but survival and, indeed, prosperity. Through decades of hard work in the family snack bar/kiosk, through working second jobs, they have succeeded in launching their offspring, giving them their best shot at joining a club they know they will never belong to: the middle class. “

Full review here:

https://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/reviews/ways-of-being