What do you think?
Rate this book
A Kilo of String
After living in Greece for thirteen years, writer and reluctant olive farmer Rob Johnson has got used to most of the things that he and his partner Penny found so bizarre at the beginning. Most, but not all.
A Kilo of String is the story-so-far of this not-particularly-plucky couple’s often bewildering experiences among the descendants of Sophocles, Plato and Nana Mouskouri with occasional digressions into total irrelevances.
This is a book which is almost guaranteed not to change your life, but what it will do is answer many of the fundamental questions about life in Greece, such as:
How do you avoid ordering a double tomato for your pine marten when booking a hotel room? Should olive harvesting be registered with the Dangerous Sports Association? Why are chicken livers useful (other than to the chickens themselves)?
Oh yes, and there are some serious bits too about how life in Greece has changed since the beginning of the economic crisis.
A Kilo of String is the story-so-far of this not-particularly-plucky couple’s often bewildering experiences among the descendants of Sophocles, Plato and Nana Mouskouri with occasional digressions into total irrelevances.
This is a book which is almost guaranteed not to change your life, but what it will do is answer many of the fundamental questions about life in Greece, such as:
How do you avoid ordering a double tomato for your pine marten when booking a hotel room? Should olive harvesting be registered with the Dangerous Sports Association? Why are chicken livers useful (other than to the chickens themselves)?
Oh yes, and there are some serious bits too about how life in Greece has changed since the beginning of the economic crisis.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2017
325 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Rob Johnson
12 books46 followers‘You’ll have to write an author biography of course.’
‘Oh? Why?’
‘Because people will want to know something about you before they lash out on buying one of your books.’
‘You think so, do you?’
‘Just do it, okay?’
‘So what do I tell them?’
‘For a start, you should mention that you’ve written four plays that were professionally produced and toured throughout the UK.’
‘Should I say anything about all the temp jobs I had, like working in the towels and linens stockroom at Debenhams or as a fitter’s mate in a perfume factory?’
‘No, definitely not.’
‘Motorcycle dispatch rider?’
‘You were sacked, weren’t you?’
‘Boss said he could get a truck there quicker.’
‘Leave it out then, but make sure they know that Grave Expectations is the eighth book you’ve written. And don’t forget to put in something that shows you’re vaguely human.’
‘You mean this kind of thing: “I’m currently in Greece with my wife, Penny, two cats and five rescue dogs and working on a new novel and a couple of screenplays”.’
‘It’ll have to do, I suppose, and then finish off with your website and social media stuff.’
‘Oh, okay then.’
* My website
* My Facebook author page
* Twitter @RobJohnson999
‘Oh? Why?’
‘Because people will want to know something about you before they lash out on buying one of your books.’
‘You think so, do you?’
‘Just do it, okay?’
‘So what do I tell them?’
‘For a start, you should mention that you’ve written four plays that were professionally produced and toured throughout the UK.’
‘Should I say anything about all the temp jobs I had, like working in the towels and linens stockroom at Debenhams or as a fitter’s mate in a perfume factory?’
‘No, definitely not.’
‘Motorcycle dispatch rider?’
‘You were sacked, weren’t you?’
‘Boss said he could get a truck there quicker.’
‘Leave it out then, but make sure they know that Grave Expectations is the eighth book you’ve written. And don’t forget to put in something that shows you’re vaguely human.’
‘You mean this kind of thing: “I’m currently in Greece with my wife, Penny, two cats and five rescue dogs and working on a new novel and a couple of screenplays”.’
‘It’ll have to do, I suppose, and then finish off with your website and social media stuff.’
‘Oh, okay then.’
* My website
* My Facebook author page
* Twitter @RobJohnson999
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 14, 2019
A delightful memoir of author Rob Johnson and his wife Penny’s courageous (some might say crazy) move from the UK to Greece to run an olive farm. (It is also very educational for those of us who thought olives grew in jars or just magically appeared on martini glasses.) Armed with a pocket English-Greek dictionary/phrasebook and knowing very few Greek words, it is a clash of cultures where Rob describes the differences in funny detail. From Belching Bertha, the first generator on the farm, to Greek merchants, Greek bureaucracy, and Greek television, the hilarious differences shine through as well as the Johnsons' love of the island of Greece. Rob even tried to start his own Greek cricket team (his dream was that eventually they would move up the world rankings to rival the likes of India and New Zealand) but it turned out to be an epic failure of Greek apathy.
So join the Johnsons on their adventure. (As an added bonus, hear Penny’s mum pronounce the Greek word “thespinés”.) Highly recommended book. You won’t be disappointed!
So join the Johnsons on their adventure. (As an added bonus, hear Penny’s mum pronounce the Greek word “thespinés”.) Highly recommended book. You won’t be disappointed!
May 11, 2018
A hilarious page turner about Greek life!
I have read a lot of books by British authors who moved to Greece or stayed there for long periods. All of these books tell the same kind of story basically… about finding an old home to work on and make a home of. All of the authors experienced endless strife dealing with the language barrier, the culture shock, and the monstrous Greek bureaucracy. Yet, funnily enough, not all these books provided the same reading enjoyment.
Some were interesting, others not so much. Some were hilarious, others didn’t even manage to elicit a chuckle. And a few of them, sadly, put my country and its people in a bad light, highlighting the same bad traits repeatedly, and often blew them out of proportion in an attempt, obviously, to make a bad book with a poor story sound a little more interesting.
But these are all the other books. Rob Johnson’s book, thank goodness, falls under a category of its own.
This is why, for me, it is perfect in all respects. It is both interesting throughout and laugh-out-loud funny while recording life in Greece, its problems and infamous quirkiness, with the kind of exceptional tact and fine precision that makes for excellent journalism. This author doesn’t just know what material to put in; he is also prudent and insightful enough to know the kind of detail that needs to stay out to make his book just perfect.
Indeed, this author, who possesses an unparalleled wit, has a refreshing writing style. You’ll find no nasty rants about the Greeks in this fine memoir, no exaggeration, and no criticism about the Greek way of life. This is an enjoyable read that will take you by the hand and show you the unknown, quaint, quirky world the author and his wife have delved into, and you will live it with all your senses, as if you were there.
Very descriptive writing from an author who can deliver a line and can make every chapter just as delightful as the previous one. This book will have you turning the pages hungrily while laughing like a drain. If you enjoy books on Greek life and especially if you are contemplating taking the same plunge as the author did to make a new start in life in your Greek paradise, then this fabulous memoir is a must!
I have read a lot of books by British authors who moved to Greece or stayed there for long periods. All of these books tell the same kind of story basically… about finding an old home to work on and make a home of. All of the authors experienced endless strife dealing with the language barrier, the culture shock, and the monstrous Greek bureaucracy. Yet, funnily enough, not all these books provided the same reading enjoyment.
Some were interesting, others not so much. Some were hilarious, others didn’t even manage to elicit a chuckle. And a few of them, sadly, put my country and its people in a bad light, highlighting the same bad traits repeatedly, and often blew them out of proportion in an attempt, obviously, to make a bad book with a poor story sound a little more interesting.
But these are all the other books. Rob Johnson’s book, thank goodness, falls under a category of its own.
This is why, for me, it is perfect in all respects. It is both interesting throughout and laugh-out-loud funny while recording life in Greece, its problems and infamous quirkiness, with the kind of exceptional tact and fine precision that makes for excellent journalism. This author doesn’t just know what material to put in; he is also prudent and insightful enough to know the kind of detail that needs to stay out to make his book just perfect.
Indeed, this author, who possesses an unparalleled wit, has a refreshing writing style. You’ll find no nasty rants about the Greeks in this fine memoir, no exaggeration, and no criticism about the Greek way of life. This is an enjoyable read that will take you by the hand and show you the unknown, quaint, quirky world the author and his wife have delved into, and you will live it with all your senses, as if you were there.
Very descriptive writing from an author who can deliver a line and can make every chapter just as delightful as the previous one. This book will have you turning the pages hungrily while laughing like a drain. If you enjoy books on Greek life and especially if you are contemplating taking the same plunge as the author did to make a new start in life in your Greek paradise, then this fabulous memoir is a must!
October 4, 2018
When I read a memoir I want to be educated and to be entertained. This book by Rob Johnson does both in spades. A Kilo of String chronicles the lives of Rob and his wife Penny as they move to Greece and their daily life there with all the challenges it presents. Living in the Dominican Republic, I was amazed at the similarities between the two countries in terms of the culture, corruption and slow pace of life.
As well as educating me in the Greek language, lifestyle, farming olives and many thing Greek what I loved about this book was the entertainment. I had a fixed grin on my face from the first to the last page, with several chuckles, snorts and guffaws as I was reading it. It is quite simply hilarious and the author writes brilliantly with an excellent dead pan sense of humour as well as a truly warped imagination which makes A Kilo of String a delightful book to read.
I really hope there is a sequel as it ended far too soon and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to escape from the daily grind and howl with laughter for a few hours.
As well as educating me in the Greek language, lifestyle, farming olives and many thing Greek what I loved about this book was the entertainment. I had a fixed grin on my face from the first to the last page, with several chuckles, snorts and guffaws as I was reading it. It is quite simply hilarious and the author writes brilliantly with an excellent dead pan sense of humour as well as a truly warped imagination which makes A Kilo of String a delightful book to read.
I really hope there is a sequel as it ended far too soon and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to escape from the daily grind and howl with laughter for a few hours.
September 18, 2021
That author Rob Johnson lived in Greece with his wife for at least a decade before writing his memoir, “A Kilo of String”, is greatly to his credit and much to the advantage of his readers. His sardonic observations on Greece, his Greek neighbours and friends, and his and his wife’s activities and adventures are all the more insightful and satisfying to the reader.
Rob Johnson is unusually adept at the kind satirical social commentary that will appeal to those who enjoy smiling – and occasionally laughing – at the absurdities of not only a foreign culture but also at their own.
Insightful, incisive, and constantly amusing.
Rob Johnson is unusually adept at the kind satirical social commentary that will appeal to those who enjoy smiling – and occasionally laughing – at the absurdities of not only a foreign culture but also at their own.
Insightful, incisive, and constantly amusing.
September 12, 2019
Witty and very funny. I really enjoyed this book. The author clearly has a love for the country and the people. I particularly love the way he portrays Greek life. After living in Greece myself, I can identify with the stories - both good and frustrating - yet in the end, it is the richness and the warmth of the country and its people that shines through. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
November 20, 2019
Greece is one of my favoured holiday destinations and I always enjoy reading any books to do with living or moving there. I do believe that A Kilo of String could go to the top of my favourite Greek Memoir list – certainly it’s one of the funniest ones. I just loved Rob Johnson’s sense of humour and thoroughly enjoyed reading his quirky anecdotes and musings about the eccentricities of Greek life. His love of life there and his fondness of the Greek people and culture are evident throughout. There were times I was laughing out loud. I had to put the book down for a few moments to compose myself! I mean – Fluent Greek in Twenty Minutes!!! Read it and find out.
Having moved there with his wife Penny and bought a house with acres of olive trees as an added bonus could have been a problem,but fortunately he soon discovers how generous and hospitable his Greek neighbours are. He and his wife certainly aren’t living the ‘expat’ life and growing and harvesting olives is not for the faint hearted or for anyone wanting a restful life. This is an enjoyable and entertaining memoir which was a real tonic to read. Εκπληκτικός - wonderful. Highly recommended.
Having moved there with his wife Penny and bought a house with acres of olive trees as an added bonus could have been a problem,but fortunately he soon discovers how generous and hospitable his Greek neighbours are. He and his wife certainly aren’t living the ‘expat’ life and growing and harvesting olives is not for the faint hearted or for anyone wanting a restful life. This is an enjoyable and entertaining memoir which was a real tonic to read. Εκπληκτικός - wonderful. Highly recommended.
October 14, 2019
Review guidelines always asks us to write what we like or dislike about the books we've read and I'm happy to say I liked everything about this book. For starters, let me just say it's not really a book about Greece, but there's a lot about Greek people, Greek customs, Greek politics and Greek idiosyncrasies. What I mean is that for those looking for travel ideas or even what it's like to live in Greece, this isn't the book for you. On the other hand, if you want to know about what it's like to live with Greek people and how to settle in and get used to the way things are done there, it's full of fascinating, funny and useful information.
I laughed my socks of at many of Rob Johnson's stories about his encounters. He is both self-deprecating and honest; he's also candid about aspects of Greek life and Greek bureaucracy that don't make sense to him, but his affection for his adopted country is clear throughout. There are numerous comparisons with the UK in the book, so it's handy to have some of that background knowledge too. Altogether, I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end and the author's humour really tickled my funny bone.
But was there anything lacking after all that? Well, I would have loved a bit more about the country and scenery around Rob and Penny's new home. It would have been lovely to 'see' a bit more of the landscape in my head, but that's just a personal wish. That apart, it's a great book and well worth reading for its insights into this nation of friendly people.
I laughed my socks of at many of Rob Johnson's stories about his encounters. He is both self-deprecating and honest; he's also candid about aspects of Greek life and Greek bureaucracy that don't make sense to him, but his affection for his adopted country is clear throughout. There are numerous comparisons with the UK in the book, so it's handy to have some of that background knowledge too. Altogether, I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end and the author's humour really tickled my funny bone.
But was there anything lacking after all that? Well, I would have loved a bit more about the country and scenery around Rob and Penny's new home. It would have been lovely to 'see' a bit more of the landscape in my head, but that's just a personal wish. That apart, it's a great book and well worth reading for its insights into this nation of friendly people.
December 14, 2017
Funny and informative
This is a wonderful memoir about two Brits who decide to move to Greece. Ahh, you've read others with the same theme. Well, if you want to laugh yourself silly and also gain some knowledge about the Greeks, then I think you'll find this book to be refreshing. Just the part where the author describes house hunting and giving the term run down a new meaning left me laughing so hard I would have spat out my dentures, if I wore them.
This is a wonderful memoir about two Brits who decide to move to Greece. Ahh, you've read others with the same theme. Well, if you want to laugh yourself silly and also gain some knowledge about the Greeks, then I think you'll find this book to be refreshing. Just the part where the author describes house hunting and giving the term run down a new meaning left me laughing so hard I would have spat out my dentures, if I wore them.
January 9, 2021
If you fancy a book packed with fun and feel-good factors, then this is the one for you.
I was intrigued by the title, the book blurb too, and it delivered exactly what it promised.
The author takes the reader on a relocation journey he and his partner make to Greece. It’s a decision not fully supported by all their friends, but they’re determined to go ahead with it anyway. After a series of viewings, they fall in love with a property promising gorgeous views and olive trees, lots of olive trees. And herein lies part of the tale, which I found hilarious.
While the book is filled with comedy, it is far from one-dimensional. I found Rob Johnson’s observations about the Greek people’s innate kindness charming and loved learning about their traditions and many superstitions. His commentary on the country’s economic crisis is also fascinating.
Rob’s self-effacing, tongue-in-cheek style is hugely engaging. Laced with humour, throughout, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was intrigued by the title, the book blurb too, and it delivered exactly what it promised.
The author takes the reader on a relocation journey he and his partner make to Greece. It’s a decision not fully supported by all their friends, but they’re determined to go ahead with it anyway. After a series of viewings, they fall in love with a property promising gorgeous views and olive trees, lots of olive trees. And herein lies part of the tale, which I found hilarious.
While the book is filled with comedy, it is far from one-dimensional. I found Rob Johnson’s observations about the Greek people’s innate kindness charming and loved learning about their traditions and many superstitions. His commentary on the country’s economic crisis is also fascinating.
Rob’s self-effacing, tongue-in-cheek style is hugely engaging. Laced with humour, throughout, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 30, 2021
I love moving abroad books. And, in a busy genre, Rob Johnson’s A Kilo of String stands out.
Firstly there is his choice of destination. Not for Rob and girlfriend Penny the Spanish costas or the south of France. They decide to move to Greece, a country which doesn’t even share a common alphabet and does things very differently to most of Europe.
Then there is Rob’s writing. He has a lovely comic touch with his tales that had me laughing out loud and occasionally gasping in recognition. Rob also tackles the difficult subjects of the economic crisis, Greek politics and corruption with a sensitivity and the careful thought of someone who cares for his adopted country.
As an emigrant myself (albeit to a country with a recognisable alphabet), I could relate to many of Rob and Penny’s experiences. I think we may even have got married for the same reasons, though I’m sure I didn’t get a ‘happy dance’.
I now look forward to reading Rob’s fiction books, set in Greece, a wonderful country.
Firstly there is his choice of destination. Not for Rob and girlfriend Penny the Spanish costas or the south of France. They decide to move to Greece, a country which doesn’t even share a common alphabet and does things very differently to most of Europe.
Then there is Rob’s writing. He has a lovely comic touch with his tales that had me laughing out loud and occasionally gasping in recognition. Rob also tackles the difficult subjects of the economic crisis, Greek politics and corruption with a sensitivity and the careful thought of someone who cares for his adopted country.
As an emigrant myself (albeit to a country with a recognisable alphabet), I could relate to many of Rob and Penny’s experiences. I think we may even have got married for the same reasons, though I’m sure I didn’t get a ‘happy dance’.
I now look forward to reading Rob’s fiction books, set in Greece, a wonderful country.
March 21, 2022
Rob Johnson's witty repartee had me laughing out loud on many occasions. His turn of phrase is a delght. His tales of relocation to Greece conveys how moviing abroad is a very hard slog and one of total adjustment. He conveys the message that if you really want a new life you must be open to it and in order to integrate you must learn the language. If you want to relocate and 'go local' rather than live in a swanky villa by the sea, then this is the book for you.
October 5, 2018
A Kilo of String is going straight into my top list of fun and informative travel/expat memoirs.
With many rollicking analogies throughout the book along with informative information about Greek living it kept me engaged and chuckling.
I can only hope the author has more instore for us in the near future.
With many rollicking analogies throughout the book along with informative information about Greek living it kept me engaged and chuckling.
I can only hope the author has more instore for us in the near future.
August 26, 2021
A good-natured read about the joys and challenges of moving to a new country. Rob's writing is so relatable and good-humoured, and gives a lovely personal touch to his stories of moving to Greece and making it his home. Highly recommended!
July 21, 2020
Worth the listen and the read!
My first experience of this book was an Audio version on my kindle. I was really enjoying it and felt as if Rob Johnson was in the room with me, telling his story. Then something went wrong with my kindle and each time I tried to continue listening, it would jump back to chapter one. By now, I was so enjoying this book I decided to actually buy it as a book. For some reason I felt compelled to start from chapter one again and found it fascinating to "hear" Rob Johnson's voice as I read silently! I am so glad I persevered and also read it in book format. It did not disappoint. Rob Johnson is a good writer and made me feel as if I was there in Greece with him and his wife Penny and experiencing all the day to day conundrums with them. Some of his observations are really interesting and his dry sense of humour had me laughing out loud. I feel quite sad that it has come to an end. This is the first time I have read anything by this particular author but I am certainly going to try some of his other books.
My first experience of this book was an Audio version on my kindle. I was really enjoying it and felt as if Rob Johnson was in the room with me, telling his story. Then something went wrong with my kindle and each time I tried to continue listening, it would jump back to chapter one. By now, I was so enjoying this book I decided to actually buy it as a book. For some reason I felt compelled to start from chapter one again and found it fascinating to "hear" Rob Johnson's voice as I read silently! I am so glad I persevered and also read it in book format. It did not disappoint. Rob Johnson is a good writer and made me feel as if I was there in Greece with him and his wife Penny and experiencing all the day to day conundrums with them. Some of his observations are really interesting and his dry sense of humour had me laughing out loud. I feel quite sad that it has come to an end. This is the first time I have read anything by this particular author but I am certainly going to try some of his other books.
September 18, 2021
This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Laugh out loud? I had tears rolling down my cheeks at several points. I love memoirs about moving abroad, and Rob and Penny don't take the easy route. Greek is not the easiest language to learn, and who would've guessed you buy string by the kilo? Lovely descriptive book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
June 18, 2023
I have never been to Greece, so knew nothing beyond the typical culinary delights, however, after reading 'A Kilo of String', I feel confident that moving there instead of Spain could have been a great alternative. Except for the alphabet, maybe. It's a very entertaining and interesting account of making yourself at home in rural Greece covering many unusual topics, and anyone who doesn't enjoy reading it is lacking in the humour department. Enough said
October 1, 2017
Rob Johnson’s witty dialogue engages all the senses. He has that rare talent for spinning a memorable yarn (in this case, a kilo of string) and leaving the audience clamoring for more. I guarantee this interesting and humorous romp through Greek life deserves a five-star rating.
September 12, 2021
Loved it
Rob Haas a sense of humor that makes this memoir even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this to all armchair travelers
Rob Haas a sense of humor that makes this memoir even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this to all armchair travelers
July 5, 2017
Autobiographies aren't usually my thing but I've enjoyed Rob Johnson's other novels so picked this one up & I wasn't disappointed. A Kilo Of String outlines Rob and Penny's relocation to Greece. Even though they'd researched about the country in advance it was by no means any preparation with what they actually discovered. Each chapter covers a single event and the hoops they had to jump through to achieve their aim, like getting their pet through Europe, finding and buying a house, getting electricity to the remote property they purchased or picking olives. There's a heap of local colour - the title comes from one a local oddity. The phrase "in Greece nothing is impossible but everything is difficult" entirely sums up the country. However, it's clearly a place the couple love. Ultimately A Kilo Of String is as much a 'how to' guide of relocating to Greece as a memoir. A really enjoyable read.
June 13, 2018
Highly entertaining biographical story of a husband and wife’s move from England to Greece, and their accompanying adventures. Includes many of the author’s thoughts and observations on the cultural differences. Many of the anecdotes are very funny.
Parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny to me, particularly when he was describing his misadventures trying to steal parts for his toy boat as a kid. This really had me cracking up. But there are many tales in the story that had me laughing.
I learned a lot about not only Greece in this book, but also about olive farming. Wow. What grueling and difficult work. It’s like a person would have to be half-crazy to choose a life like that! Or an author, perhaps.
This is the second book I’ve read by Rob Johnson. I enjoy his writing a lot. I hope he keeps it up! I will keep reading. Highly recommended!
Parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny to me, particularly when he was describing his misadventures trying to steal parts for his toy boat as a kid. This really had me cracking up. But there are many tales in the story that had me laughing.
I learned a lot about not only Greece in this book, but also about olive farming. Wow. What grueling and difficult work. It’s like a person would have to be half-crazy to choose a life like that! Or an author, perhaps.
This is the second book I’ve read by Rob Johnson. I enjoy his writing a lot. I hope he keeps it up! I will keep reading. Highly recommended!
January 19, 2022
I am not a great fan of Johnson's. A person gets the oppinion part way through that if it wasn't for making snide comments and all but exibiting his wife, he wouldn't have much to talk about except for allergies and being stuffed up from disagreeable weather conditions. Fortunately he does paint a fairly interesting portrait of the region in which he lived, and related several episodes, including battling a disagreeable generator motor and a mechanic that nearly burned up their van, that are worth reading. It is 'ok' as a travel book, and 'fair' as piece of humorous writing. I am a fan of reading and good books. There are lots of fun books out there, books about all sort of fascinating and uplifting things, despite the negativity or 'derange-o-realism' promoted as entertainment, sci-fi, 'fantacy'...
December 10, 2020
A Kilo of String is a different sort of travel memoir.
This is not the usual 'buy a derelict house and renovate it' sort of memoir. This is a very funny account of Rob and Penny's lives as reluctant olive growers in Greece.
Extremely witty and well written, Rob's sense of humour tickled me so much, I found myself laughing out loud frequently!
I smiled when I discovered that many of the issues Rob and Penny observed and endured are similar to those I have had living in Hungary, particularly the height of the work surfaces, the over lengthy erratic TV advertisements and the "lost in translation" moments.
If you want to have a good laugh for a few hours pick this up, you will not regret it.
This is not the usual 'buy a derelict house and renovate it' sort of memoir. This is a very funny account of Rob and Penny's lives as reluctant olive growers in Greece.
Extremely witty and well written, Rob's sense of humour tickled me so much, I found myself laughing out loud frequently!
I smiled when I discovered that many of the issues Rob and Penny observed and endured are similar to those I have had living in Hungary, particularly the height of the work surfaces, the over lengthy erratic TV advertisements and the "lost in translation" moments.
If you want to have a good laugh for a few hours pick this up, you will not regret it.
September 19, 2018
Galloping Grecophile
Having gone through the process of buying land, building a house in Arcadia and after many happy years, then selling it, I closely identify with Rob Johnson's jovial, humorous, account of the vagaries of adapting to life in rural Greece. However, behind the many side-splitting anecdotes that ring so true, there lies the truly heartbreaking struggle of the Greek people to survive yet another crisis in their history. That they manage to do this with dignity and humour also shines through in Rob's very very funny book.
Having gone through the process of buying land, building a house in Arcadia and after many happy years, then selling it, I closely identify with Rob Johnson's jovial, humorous, account of the vagaries of adapting to life in rural Greece. However, behind the many side-splitting anecdotes that ring so true, there lies the truly heartbreaking struggle of the Greek people to survive yet another crisis in their history. That they manage to do this with dignity and humour also shines through in Rob's very very funny book.
May 23, 2018
Easy to pick up, easy to put down. I read this book in fits and starts, and in the beginning found the constant joke cracking and the self deprecation quite hard to get through, but once you get used to it the writing itself isn’t so bad. I enjoyed the insight into Greece and the life on a rural olive farm.
I wouldn’t read again (I wasn’t expecting to pick up an autobiography when I started) but I’m glad I did read it.
I wouldn’t read again (I wasn’t expecting to pick up an autobiography when I started) but I’m glad I did read it.
November 8, 2020
Amusing and Entertaining
This had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion, just what the Dr ordered.
A very down to earth view of moving to Greece providing insights into the Greek culture, the people and the economic climate. More about living amongst the people than travel ideas. I have never been to Greece but having been an Ex-Pat in Spain for the last twelve years I can relate to a lot of this, especially the paperwork and the need for it in triplicate.
With quite a lot of Olive trees (420) to their name Penny and Rob have a lot to learn about the harvesting of this lovely fruit, it is a back-breaking, arm-aching process. Now after a number of years knowing the ritual Rob looks on it in dread.
The author has an easy way with words and loves his anecdotes, he seems to have one for most occasion. I love the washing machine one, very funny and bet it was fun to watch him hoping from the machine to turn the water on.
I would have liked to hear more about the local countryside and scenery around where they live but all in all a very enjoyable book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, thank you Rob.
This had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion, just what the Dr ordered.
A very down to earth view of moving to Greece providing insights into the Greek culture, the people and the economic climate. More about living amongst the people than travel ideas. I have never been to Greece but having been an Ex-Pat in Spain for the last twelve years I can relate to a lot of this, especially the paperwork and the need for it in triplicate.
With quite a lot of Olive trees (420) to their name Penny and Rob have a lot to learn about the harvesting of this lovely fruit, it is a back-breaking, arm-aching process. Now after a number of years knowing the ritual Rob looks on it in dread.
The author has an easy way with words and loves his anecdotes, he seems to have one for most occasion. I love the washing machine one, very funny and bet it was fun to watch him hoping from the machine to turn the water on.
I would have liked to hear more about the local countryside and scenery around where they live but all in all a very enjoyable book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, thank you Rob.
June 22, 2021
Having travelled to Greece on several occasions, I found this book (which I read to the end) boaring. In parts the author appeared to woffle on for ever about subjects that would make an insomniac sleep. One such chapter was the cricket senario, that part of the book could have been concerned into one paragraph. Overall a book that (IN MY OPINION) was not a true reflection of Greece and it's people.
July 5, 2017
For all you Greek island lovers, here's a funny book I can recommend about life in a Greek village. It's called 'A Kilo of String' written by Rob Johnson Writer who has lived in a village for the past 13 years and it's everything you never realised you wanted to know about Greece or didn’t dare to ask!!
March 22, 2018
How true!
I loved this book!
We try to visit Greece yearly and meet the people Rob describes, regularly.
His description of life in Greece takes me back to my favourite places and I get a warm feeling reading them.
I shall definately listen to his podcasts and wallow in nostalgia!
Highly recommended.
I loved this book!
We try to visit Greece yearly and meet the people Rob describes, regularly.
His description of life in Greece takes me back to my favourite places and I get a warm feeling reading them.
I shall definately listen to his podcasts and wallow in nostalgia!
Highly recommended.
December 11, 2018
a humorous set of anecdotes, memories & happenings from a British couple who decide to move to Greece ... of course its not all plain sailing when you up sticks to live in the back of beyond, but the humour, the side notes to "the editor" and the choice of language makes this a very entertaining read.
It would be good to get an update a few years further along their journey!
It would be good to get an update a few years further along their journey!
January 20, 2019
A bit ho-hum.
I had shelved this book ages ago, as I couldn't get into it. Then, after seeing some good reviews, I decided to give it another try. I was determined to finish it this time, but still can't see what some people were raving about. It was very flippant and average to me anyway.
I had shelved this book ages ago, as I couldn't get into it. Then, after seeing some good reviews, I decided to give it another try. I was determined to finish it this time, but still can't see what some people were raving about. It was very flippant and average to me anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews