Lucky's

This book has it all; love, hate, sin, redemption, tragedy, and even some joy. Emily leaves London to interview Lucky, a former restaurant franchiser, for a New Yorker article. Lucky's tale unfolds in flashbacks and forwards, finally unraveling the story of his life. I was immediately drawn into Emily's life and wish there had been more about her. However, Lucky and the other characters are all so well-developed and intertwined that I found myself reading non-stop to get the entire picture. This is a great addition to Australian literary fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Lucky’s - Andrew Pippos

“The family’s olive tree kept growing up and up as if made from magic left over from childhood.”

Spanning decades, Lucky’s is an evocative family saga grounded in post war Sydney. A true literary work interwoven with love, tragedy and humanity. Andrew Pippos has created a heartwarming ode to migrant Australia, and to the people who helped to shape our national identity.

The story centres around Vasilis ‘Lucky’ Mellios, a Greek-American Air Force mess steward, stationed in Sydney during WW2. At the core of this novel is love and connection, and Lucky falls for Valia Asproyerakas the daughter of cafe owner, Achilles. So begins the story of Lucky’s Cafe franchise, its rise and fall, and the enduring love that Lucky has for both Valia and his Greek-Australian cafes.

Along the way we are introduced to a cast of family, friends and strangers, with intersecting storylines and unexpected connections. Pippos has shaped strong, passionate yet fragile characters, and several who manage to be simultaneously captivating and polarising. I found myself mesmerised by the tenderness of the story, and drawn back again and again to the magical prose. The twists and turns woven into the narrative were surprising and engaging - yet sometimes unsettling - showcasing the skill with which this novel is crafted. Several times I was forced to stop and take a moment, then reread a scene that had taken my breath away.

The recurring themes of family scandals, secrets, tragedy, redemption and reinvention are mirrored through the experiences of most of the main players. Each person we meet has a story to tell and is given their own voice with a pace and structure that allows the reader to appreciate their contribution.

Pippos writes with hypnotic charm, his characters are brought to life with care and I was invested in awaiting a happy ending for each of them. The Greek-Australian cafe, with its gleaming chequerboard floors, jukebox and soda fountain form the backdrop and a very vivid touchstone to Australia’s post war era, when the influence of enterprising migrant families began to leave an enduring mark on the culture of modern Australia.

Lucky and his story will stay with me for a long time, I look forward with anticipation to whatever Andrew Pippos has in store for us next.