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The Scapegoat
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
16 posts | 7 read | 44 to read
An engrossing and richly panoramic novel from a major new writer, based on a true story... In 1948, the body of an American journalist is found floating in the bay off Thessaloniki. A small-time Greek journalist is tried and convicted for the murder...but when he's released twelve years later, he claims his confession was the result of torture. Flash forward to contemporary Greece, where a rebellious young high school student is given an assignment for a school project: find the truth. And as he begrudgingly takes it on, he begins to make a startling series of gripping discoveries--about history, love, and even his own family's involvement. Based on the real story of famed CBS reporter George Polkjournalisms prestigious Polk Awards were named after himThe Scapegoat is a sweeping saga that brings together the Greece of the post-World War II era with the Greece of today, a country facing dangerous times once again. As told by key players in the storythe dashing journalists Greek widow; the mother and sisters of the convicted man; the brutal Thessaloniki Chief of Police; a U.S. Foreign Office investigator, and, finally, the modern-day student, in the novel's most stirring narration of all--The Scapegoat confronts questions of truth, justice, and sacrifice...and how the past is always with us. From the Hardcover edition.
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review
TheKidUpstairs
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Pickpick

In the 1940's, Greece is embroiled in Civil War, an American journalist is killed and an innocent man is sent to prison. Decades later, against the backdrop of Greece's financial and social crises, a disillusioned high school senior is tasked with examining the case. But what is reality when everyone has their own truth? Review continues in comments...

#foodandlit #Greece @Butterfinger @texreader @Catsandbooks

TheKidUpstairs I loved this book. I loved the many POVs, jumping between small personal and family intimacies and greater political and social machinations. If you don't like multi-POV stories, skip this one, because there are a ton of them, and a lot of them have similar names. It also jumps between timelines a lot and can be a bit disorienting, but I found that lent itself really well to the story and it's themes. 3y
Butterfinger This sounds very interesting. 3y
73 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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"The case couldn't be dragged out any longer. They were walking on hot coals, so they might as well dance."

#foodandlit #Greece @Butterfinger @Texreader @Catsandbooks

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TheKidUpstairs
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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"The sea had taken no pity. They call her mother but she's a mean-hearted bitch. Youth means nothing to her."

#foodandlit #Greece

review
bookwrm526
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Pickpick

The picture is my reading month, though I‘m still catching up on posting the books I read this month lol. The tagged book was my novel based on a true story for #popsugarreadingchallenge and my #LetterN for #LitsyAtoZ in translation. It was good, just a bit slow in places, and I feel like I learned a good bit about Greece.

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jveezer
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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What the firk!? I‘m so sick of this patriarchal BS. Turning in my man card. 😤

Leftcoastzen The good old days 😡 6y
3 likes1 comment
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Currey
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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#readaroundtheworld #Greece @JenP Looking ahead to Greece and wondering if anyone has any great recommendations for April reading.

batsy I'm planning to read a book that I've had for awhile 7y
BarbaraBB This might be the obvious choice but I‘ll read 7y
Simona My plans for April is to read 7y
See All 15 Comments
mhillis I‘m thinking about reading 7y
Currey I might go for Why I Killed My Best Friend. River gets great reviews but is LONG 7y
rockpools I'm on the short stories again for Greece. Think I'm going to have to come back to Peru, as it just isn't happening this month! 7y
BookishMe @RachelO I just remembered Nancy Pearl's 'catalogue' may just shorten my search ;D 7y
BookishMe Margaret Atwood's retelling seems fascinating! 7y
BookishMe Last one, I promise ;p 7y
Currey @BookishMe FANTASTIC. 🙏🏽 7y
BookishMe @Currey 💕💕 7y
rockpools @BookishMe I hadn't heard of the Nancy Pearl book. Sounds v helpful! 7y
BookishMe @RachelO it is... Not all the 12 countries are included but definitely less hassle of a search ;D I 7y
12 likes15 comments
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thereadingwomen
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Happy November! This month we are reading and talking about #booksintranslation. Download our latest episode, have a listen, and then let us know what your favorite translated reads are. THE SCAPEGOAT is a gripping read about the meaning justice through the exploration of an unsolved murder. #thereadingwomen

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reading-women/id1118019442?mt=2

Cinfhen Ooo, this sounds good! 8y
Michelle_mck I just laughed out loud about the ice cream "uahhh Kendra" ha ha ha ??? 8y
thereadingwomen @Michelle_mck Autumn's passion for ice cream is real. Her other half is lucky that she shares. ;) - K 8y
45 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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BookishTrish
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Am I the only one who misplaces library books for weeks at a time and then frantically reads them in a few days because they're #duealltoosoon ?

outis All too familiar. Is it also possible to misplace ebooks? 8y
DreesReads I don't misplace them--I just check out too many 😜 8y
Notafraidofwords Loved this one! 8y
BookishTrish @Notafraidofwords I ended up having to return it. 😧Too many holds came in including 8y
Notafraidofwords @BookishTrish ohhh hate when that happens! 8y
43 likes5 comments
review
Notafraidofwords
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Pickpick

This book was full of characters that felt real and alive. There are no easy answers. Truthfully, this book centers around the realization that your heart can be broken any second, that your heart can be torn apart any minute and that your whole life can be turned upside down for any reason-even when you are a just a ship that doesn't leave the dock-that is not enough to keep you safe from life's wrath.

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Notafraidofwords
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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When your fate has been written, even God abandons you. O Virgin Mary, Who saw your son on the cross, you understand. You understand and say nothing. You won't come down from your throne to save a body. Your eyes may fill with tears but you offer no shelter.

autumnprivett This is such a good book! 8y
Notafraidofwords @autumnprivett I'm about half way and my heart feels so broken. I just feel a knot right in my throat. 8y
45 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Notafraidofwords
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou

"Freedom is a sneaky thing. You think it's actually free, but sometimes it turns out to be pretty pricey."

nickimags Wow! 8y
Notafraidofwords This book is great and completely relevant to today's climate @nickimags 8y
nickimags Thanks for the recommendation @Notafraidofwords I'ved stacked it! 8y
Notafraidofwords @nickimags no problem. I'm learning so much about Greece in the process. I'm sure you'll like it too! 8y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Notafraidofwords
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Totally enjoying this book (translated from Greek). I'm always looking for books in translation, so I'm happy with my current read. "...a woman who seemed fragile as porcelain, could withstand fire and rain..."

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BookishTrish
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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An American journalist is murdered and a Greek man is wrongfully imprisoned. I must know more #blameitonLitsy

Notafraidofwords I must know how you feel about this book. It's on my list! 8y
Bookzombie Great use of your spoon! 8y
mhillis This book sounds so interesting! 8y
48 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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autumnprivett
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Pickpick

A brilliant novel. Nikolaidou parallels a man unjustly accused of murder in the 1940s with the recent Greek financial crisis. It's not about the crime, it's about justice and the injustices carried out in the name of justice. It's a slow start, but a powerful conclusion.
#booksintranslation

LauraBrook First heard about this on Book Riot, and forgot to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation and reminder! 8y
brendanmleonard This sounds amazing, thank you for the recommendation! 8y
autumnprivett @LauraBrook You're welcome! 8y
autumnprivett @brendanmleonard It IS amazing. I love books in translation because they give you such a unique perspective. 8y
79 likes11 stack adds4 comments
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autumnprivett
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Hoping to jump into this one tonight. It's a fictionalized account of the murder of CBS reporter George Polk set in Thessaloniki. I'm reading it in preparation for an upcoming episode of @thereadingwomen podcast. #translatedbooks

68 likes3 stack adds
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autumnprivett
The Scapegoat: A Novel | Sophia Nikolaidou
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Just picked these up from the library!!! 🙌💃🏻 #booksintranslation